People across the capital voiced their suggestions on the preliminary draft of the new constitution even though cadres of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal (RPP-N) and Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist tried to obstruct the feedback collection campaign by chanting slogans.In Basantapur, a participant suggested that it was useless to squabble whether or not to mention specific words in the constitution. "You can better choose any word acceptable for all sides instead of wasting on the same," said the participant while NC lawmaker Nabindra Raj Joshi and Prabha Bajracharya, among others were listening to him.
In New Thimi, while cadres of the RPP-N chanted slogans demanding a Hindu state in the new constitution outside a party palace [a party venue] where the feedback collection was underway, many participants inside were suggesting that the new constitution should mention "religious freedom" in place of "secularism" so that the new constitution would look more neutral to all religions.
Rajiv Sedai, a participant, said, "It is useless to demand for a state religion. But still, I suggest replacing the word 'secularism' with 'religious freedom' in the new constitution."
Another participant Arjun Dahal said that the new statute should include provision of appointing ward chairman through direct election. "Likewise, I also suggest that the new constitution include Nepal Army chief as an ex-officio member of the National Security Council," said he, arguing that Army chief can provide inputs to make right decisions.
Anil Dhungel, another participant, said that the number of provinces should be decreased to five from eight as the country cannot bear the financial burden to run eight provinces.
While the function was underway, protesting cadres of the RPP-N who were barred from entering the venue, clashed with police. Around a dozen RPP-N cadres including lawmaker Dinesh Shrestha sustained injuries in the clash.
In Basantpur as well, cadres of the RPP-N and Mohan Baidya-led Maoist party clashed with police while the function was underway. Agitating cadres chanted slogans and burned copies of the draft constitution. After police and participants in the feedback collection program tried to stop them, a cadre of Baidya-led Maoist punched and injured a participant.
Following the scuffle, police arrested two cadres of the Baidya-led Maoist for obstructing the function, informed DSP Binod Ghimire. The feedback collection function was halted for around one hour and a half.
RPP-N staged demonstrations in various parts of the country demanding a Hindu state.
Meanwhile, RPP-N condemned police interference in RPP-N demonstrations in various parts of the country including in Kathmandu and Makawanpur. In its press statement, the party said that as many as 11 members including lawmaker Ganesh Thapa, central member Madhu Adhikari, Rajaram Barthaula and Makwanpur district President Nawaraj Bista, among others, were seriously injured after police baton-charged them.
Similarly, Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist party informed that a dozen of its carders were injured in police baton charge. The party said it condemns the authorities for not allowing its leaders and cadres to give suggestions on the new constitution.
Photo credit: Sangeet Sangroula
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