Dr Rajendra Bimal, writer and professor
The national media reported the reason for purification incorrectly. The president's visit to Janakpur amid the ongoing protests was a mistake. Agitating Madhesi communities were already furiously opposing the visit. Although the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) had already announced that it would stage protests at the temple, the security agencies did not report the deep anger to higher authorities. I look at the purification following the president's visit as a positive step. Purifying the temple after the entry of sniffer dogs and so many people is a good thing. The way media covered this episode has hurt the sentiments of Madhesis. At a time when the nation has divided into two sides, media should play a neutral role. But it failed to do so.
Umesh Pajiyar, president of Janakpur Bar Association
I don't think anyone has staged protest against the president. It is against the lawmaker Bidya Devi Bhandari who had signed on the draft of the new constitution that curtailed the rights already guaranteed by the interim constitution. Her presence in Janakpur spoiled the mood of the Vivaha Panchami festival. Hundreds of devotees from India and other places faced difficulty in attending the festival due to the protests and clashes. The clash between protestors and police has left a negative impression about the festival and the place. I think the temple was cleaned and purified not because of the president but because of the security officials who entered the temple wearing leather items and even allowed dogs into the temple premises. No one should seek to exploit the incident for political gains.
Bishwa Lal Singh, vice-chair, Dhanusha PABSON
Protests against the president is very natural because she visited Janakpur to undermine the Madhes agitation. Moreover, this president has earned a reputation as anti-Madhesi. She came to Janaki Temple for performing pooja in the wedding ceremony. In our community, a widow can't participate in wedding ceremonies. The president, as an intellectual, should have known where to go and where not to. She is a widow, so why calling her a widow has become an issue?
Brikhesh Chandra Lal, vice chair, Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party
Bidya Bhandari has played major role in promulgating the anti-Madhesi constitution. And, she has been regularly giving anti-Madhes statements since she became the president. Therefore, protest against her visit in Janakpur is natural. There is no need to blow this matter out of proportion. Over a dozen Madhesi youths have been killed since she became president. She has never told the government that even Madhesi people are Nepalis and their demands should be addressed. Addressing a function at a school just two days before she visited Janakpur, Bhandari described Nepal's constitution as the best one. She does not see Madhesi people's plight as Nepali people's plight. The protests were held to expose her as anti-Madhesi.
Rekha Jha, lawyer
It is good that Janaki Temple was tidied up in the name of "cleansing." But I was surprised when I heard that even a temple was desecrated. How can a temple be desecrated? In our country, a woman is taken as unholy. Although the protestors cleaned the temple after the president's visit, they themselves have kicked on the temple doors. How should such act be seen? If allowing dogs into the temple desecrates it, what about men kicking on the temple doors? The president made a mistake by using flowers sniffed by dogs. Also, the president should not have been garlanded by a girl dressed up as Sita. She should have received the garland and put it around her neck herself. If she was insulted for being a widow, it is highly objectionable. On the one hand, we fight for equality, on the other we discriminate against women for being a widow. Widows and widowers can be in every family.
Ramroshan Das Baisnav, member of Janaki Temple
Both the protestors and security personnel entered into the temple as the situation grew tense. Also, some expressed objections over the entry of dogs into the temple. Therefore, they "cleansed" the temple. Cleaning a temple itself isn't bad. But no woman should be insulted just because she is a widow. Widows are in each society and each family. There is no rule barring a widow from performing pooja at Janaki Temple. As far as the matter of the girl dressed as Sita garlanding the president is concerned, it shouldn't be blown out of proportion. It isn't a big issue. We hadn't invited the president to the Janaki Temple. We had only made simple arrangements to welcome her. We didn't give her the state honor accorded to the heads of state who had visited the temple in the past.
Related story
Budget receives mixed reactions from lawmakers
-1772436151.webp)
