The prime minister, who is in the middle of a six-day visit to India, said that Nepal's new constitution contains not a single provision that discriminates against any citizen on the basis of religion, language, ethnicity, region or any other ground.
"Is there any article in the constitution that discriminates against anyone in the name of religion, language, ethnicity, or area?" he said to Indian journalists asking him about allegations concerning the new constitution made by disgruntled groups. "Constitution of Nepal has abolished all types of discrimination."
The prime minister described the new constitution as a most democratic one, at a press conference in New Delhi, at a time when the Indian leadership has been pressing Nepali leaders to make some changes in the document.
Though the Indian side has lifted the unofficial blockade enforced against Nepal following promulgation of the new constitution in September, the Indian leadership has still been pressing the Nepal side to accommodate the disgruntled groups by making some changes in provincial boundaries.
Stating that the first amendment to the new constitution has already been effected to address the demands of agitating Madhesi parties, the prime minister said the leadership of the major political parties was ready to address the genuine concerns of disgruntled groups.
"Nepal's constitution is a changeable and dynamic document and we are open to discuss and address genuine concerns if any," said Oli.
He said the government and political leadership of Nepal were ready to address the concerns of all and "particularly of India".
Responding to a query about dissatisfaction shown over the inclusive provisions in the new constitution, the prime minister claimed that those who go through the statute will find it a very inclusive one.
"The constitution ensures 33 percent women's representation at the central level and 40 percent at the local bodies. Similarly, it has guaranteed 45 percent representation for backward communities," he explained. "Besides that, the constitution ensures constitutional commissions on Madhesis, Women, Janajatis, Dalits, Tharu and other communities."
Stating that the new constitution doesn't leave any area where people are discriminated against, he referred to the 31 articles that are exclusively for ensuring the fundamental rights of the people.
Oli also explained at length that the constitution was prepared following thoroughly democratic and participatory procedures.
He said that the constitution was finalized only after prolonged debates for eight years. "We held prolonged debates in each thematic committee in both the first and second Constituent Assembly (CA). The draft was sent to the people for public feedback and important suggestions were incorporated," he explained. "Each and every article was voted on one by one."
He claimed that those who have been claiming that the constitution was finalized in a fast-track approach skipping some procedures were not studying it thoroughly.
The prime minister termed his high-level talks in New Delhi as very successful in removing misunderstandings with the Indian side that developed in recent months.
"My visit is dedicated to eliminating any type of misunderstandings and to take our age-old bilateral relations to a new height," he said. "I am satisfied that this visit has become completely successful in achieving the objective."
Rubbishing claims that he was playing the China card against India, he said he had no interest in making any move against neighbors.
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