KATHMANDU, August 18: CPN-UML lawmaker Gokul Prasad Baskota has drawn the attention of parliament not to make citizenship cheap.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Baskota mentioned that in most countries of the world there is no such thing as making citizenship cheap, but he said that there is a need to have a serious discussion on the issue of citizenship after learning from the neighboring countries.

He also said that it was wrong to bring the Citizenship Bill in haste. He said that as a trap for the coalition of the ruling parties, the Citizenship Bill should not be crushed and the country should not be divided. MP Baskota said that there is no point in giving citizenship based on region, race and gender.

He said that the President sent the Citizenship Bill to the House for revision according to the constitution. He challenged the MPs of the ruling party to tear up the letter of the Citizenship Bill sent back by the President if it is wrong.

He said, "Bringing the Citizenship Bill in haste is wrong. It does not represent democracy. People's voices are not heard. It should not be used as a trap for the coalition of the ruling parties to crush the Citizenship Bill and it should not divide the country. It has far-reaching consequences. Citizenship is not based on region, religion, race and gender. This is something the Nepalese and the citizens of the nation of Nepal will get. No one seems to have a discriminatory view on this.

It doesn’t matter what it came down to, but how did it come? The president sent it according to the constitution. Should we raise a question about it? Is that right?  Either it should be said so. If there is a mistake according to a rule of the constitution, can't you tear up this letter and show it? You can't do that. Let’s not pass it the wrong way. You have changed the color, not us. Let's make citizenship simple, not cheap.”

MP Baskota said that the ruling parties have accused the opposition of changing color and claimed that the ruling parties are changing color, not the opposition.

 
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