"Our country has remained a Hindu state since time immemorial. I strongly demand that Nepal should remain a Hindu state even in the new statute," he told emphatically as Deputy Prime Minister and CA member from the same constituency listened to him.
This septuagenarian easily drew the attention of the overcrowded hall as he went on to speak against secularism that many believe has given rise to religious conversion in Nepal. Every time a participant suggested retaining Nepal's status as a Hindu state, people desperately waiting to put forth their suggestions would give a thunderous applause.
Kattel also did not spare any opportunity to demand constitutional guarantee of special allowances to the elderly. Like Kattel, other elderly also argued that they were helpless as their children are working abroad. "State should therefore take the responsibility to look after the elderly. The allowances distributed by the government currently is too meager," complained Ganga Prasad Sharma Nepali.
Not all people had the same concerns, though. Sita Karki demanded guarantee of citizenship through mother. "There should be a constitutional guarantee to women's reproductive rights and rapists should be given death penalty," she said, while supporting the demand of previous speakers for "religious freedom" instead of "secularism" in the new statute.
Jiten Dev Sharma demanded that the new constitution clearly set academic qualification for one to be eligible for the post of lawmakers and ministers. "Even a driver these days are SLC graduates. But leaders, who run the country, do not need any academic qualification," he complained. Sharma also demanded age-limit for the prime minister and ministers.
Binod Kumar Bhattarai demanded provisions to ensure transparency in the activities of political parties. While expressing concerns over the misuse of the fund being allocated to the parliamentarians, he demanded a minimum of 5 percent threshold for a political party to get recognition as a national party.
Likewise, Bishnu Sapkota asked the political leadership to promulgate the new statute only after settling names and boundaries of the proposed federal provinces. He also argued that fewer federal states would be better for peace and prosperity of the country.
As many still waited their turns to put forth their suggestions, other speakers demanded directly elected president and prime minister, reduction of number of seats allocated under Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, constitutional guarantee of employment to youths, new mechanism to check the wrongdoings of CIAA, death penalty for those involved in corruption and heinous crimes like rape and murder and expansion of the jurisdiction of CIAA, among others.
Tips for hearing tough feedback
District see active public participation
As the feedback collection on draft statute continued on Tuesday across the country, people have given various suggestions and recommendations. The following were some of major suggestions given by people in different parts of the country on draft statute.
Locals demand making Biratnagar as federal capital
In Morang constituency-6, locals have demanded making Biratnagar the capital of the new federal province. They argued that Biratnagar is suitable place to make capital city in view of its historical importance, and as financial center. CA member from the constituency, Mahesh Acharya, assured to take their suggestions to the concerned place in order to incorporate them in the new statute. Most of those speaking at the feedback collection function had demanded that Nepal be declared a Hindu state, gender equality be ensured while issuing citizenship.
Settle provincial boundaries and names first
In Pokhara, locals demanded that the Constituent Assembly should demarcate provincial boundaries and decide their names before promulgating the new constitution. They maintained that delineation of federal provinces after the promulgation of new statute could incite violence and conflict in the country. They also demanded that Nepal be declared a Hindu state. Some of them even spoke against the idea of federalism.
Where are the issues of farmers?
In Banepa, locals have complained that the issues of farmers have not been adequately addressed in the new statute. During a feedback collection function organized in Panchkhal, they argued that there should be a constitutional provision to declare minimum price of agricultural produce by the government.
Other speakers also demanded revolutionary land reform that would guarantee land to the tillers. Those giving feedback had given multiple suggestions including determining minimum academic qualifications, setting minimum 3 percent of popular votes as threshold for a political party to get recognized as national party, direct election to pick prime minister, president and village and municipal chiefs.
Demonstration demanding Hindu state
In Mugu, a street march was taken out under the leadership of Nepali Congress (NC) Joint Secretary Khagendra Bahadur Malla demanding that Nepal be declared a Hindu state in the new statute. They protested against the mention of secularism in the draft statute. Some of those taking part in the march also demanded that the term secularism be replaced with religious freedom in the new constitution.
Dissenting parties give feedback on constitution
In Panchthar, leaders of dissenting parties such as Federal Limbuwan Party, Nepal, Federal Socialists Party Forum-Nepal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal also put forth their suggestions on draft statute.
The feedback collection function was organized amid tight security. The leaders of Limbuwan Party who earlier burnt copies of the draft constitution alleging that their demands related to federalism have not been addressed also put forth their views at the function.
Manang residents demands Nepali as national language
Locals in Manang have demanded that Nepali language be retained as national language. Although federal provinces can use their own language, Manang residents maintained that Nepali language should be retained as national language in the new statute.
Among other things, Manang locals suggested to CA members to mention religious freedom instead of secularism, set five percent of popular votes as threshold for a political party to get recognized as national party and empower CIAA to curb rampant corruption in the country.
Siraha locals want complications relating to citizenship resolved
Most of the locals putting forth their feedback in new statute in Siraha have demanded amendment to the existing provision on citizenship. They have asked the CA members to amend the existing provision on citizenship so as to ensure citizenship through either father or mother. 'There is no alternative for Marwari youths to marry across the border. Existing provision allows our children to receive only naturalized citizenship,' said Nepal Marwari Youth Forum member Bikash Sharada. Naturalized citizens cannot hold top executive and constitutional posts as per the provisions in the draft statute.
