"Certain academic qualification is required even for the post of a peon. But for being a minister or prime minister, or say president, there is no academic qualification requirementno education compulsory," asked Om Prakash Bashyal of Hubas village in Parbat - 2 on Sunday during discussion over constitution draft. "Why don't we have academic qualification requirement for these people, who lead the nation?" he asked.The new constitution should clearly mention the provision to have academic qualification to hold any public position, he said. Bashyal further argued that the reason behind the country's backwardness is due to the lower level education of the politicians. "The anarchy is not going to end until and unless we have educated leaders," he claimed.
Tilak Prasad Shrestha, another local of the same village said that many politicians are not well educated academically as they were engaged in criminal activities. "But we must end this system of appointing such people as our representatives. Only well educated persons should be allowed lead the nation," he said.
Shovakanta Rijal, principal of Jana Sewa Higher Secondary School, seconded the opinions and called on to incorporate the suggestion in the new constitution. Residents of Huwas, Saraukhola, Bhorle, Triveni, Beulibas, Uram, Shaligram, among other dozens of villages demanded the same.
Another demand that the speakers put forward was reinstating Nepal as a Hindu nation instead of making it secular.
Similarly, women speakers have demanded gender friendly constitution. "Gender equality should be ensured. At least 40 percent of women's representation in all state mechanisms should be guaranteed," Asmita Sharma, a local said.
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