Dahal threatens to continue parliamentary obstruction, launch fresh protests against attempt to discredit Maoist movement

Dahal takes strong exception to the use of the term “violence” to describe Maoist conflict

KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal, stated that the term “violence” used by the CPN-UML to describe the Maoist insurgency is against the letter and spirit of the constitution and the comprehensive peace accord.

Addressing the general assembly of the Martyrs' Trust on Saturday, Dahal accused the UML of trying to violate the peace agreement by using terms like "murderous" and "violence" aimed at them.

“Terms like murder and violence are contrary to the essence of the constitution and the comprehensive peace agreement; we are here to obstruct parliament,”Dahal stated, “We are firmly resisting from there. We will not back down, because no one has the right to violate the constitution or the peace agreement.” He reiterated that they were raising this issue in parliament and urged those not present to raise their voice from the street.

He also emphasized that obstructing parliament was their compulsion and that they would continue to do so.

“We have also strongly raised this issue in parliament. Those who are not present in parliament should raise their voices from the streets. We are weak in parliament; that is well known to the world. But because of our legacy and issues, and due to the provisions made about us in the comprehensive peace agreement, interim constitution, and constitution, we are not weak.” He advised the activists that it is not right to feel inferior just because they are weak.

Dahal also expressed that the various factions of the Maoists must come together. “Our issues are common, so we have no option but to unite,” he said. He also claimed that the maneuvers to weaken the opposition in the Constitutional Council have failed.

The Maoists are expressing their disagreement after CPN-UML lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai used the term “violence” in reference to the Maoist insurgency during the HoR session on August 28.

The Maoist Center argued that this was against parliamentary norms and requested Speaker Devraj Ghimire to remove that word from the record. However, after Speaker Ghimire clarified that “violence” was not deemed unparliamentary and would remain in the record, the Maoist Center continued to insist on its removal, leading to a disruption of the meeting. The parliament session was adjourned on September 11 following the opposition's protest .