Baburam Bhattarai challenges Janajatis to resort to revolt

Kathmandu, July 28

Chairman of Constitutional-Political Dialogue and Consensus Committee (CPDCC) of the Constituent Assembly Baburam Bhattarai today challenged the leaders of indigenous nationalities and lawmakers to revolt inside the CA.

While discussing with leaders of different indigenous organisations, including Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) and Indigenous Nationalities National Movement (INNM) Nepal led by senior human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar today, senior Unified CPN-Maoist leader Bhattarai said he would stand with the indigenous leaders if they revolt against the draft constitution.

Most of the indigenous leaders told Bhattarai that they would have no option other than spearheading ethnic war if the draft constitution was endorsed.

Bhattarai told the indigenous leaders that still there was some room to include their issues in the constitution and therefore they should not talk about ethnic war.

He also challenged the leaders to bring 100,000 people in the streets.

During the interaction, INNM leader Tuladhar said this constitution has challenged the indigenous people and other disadvantaged groups to raise arms.

Claiming that the previous constitutions of the country could not last for long, Janajati leader Malla K Sundar said he would leave the country if the new constitution survived for next five years.

He recalled the statement of UCPN-M Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal that he had told the indigenous leaders that his party would cease to exist once the party abandoned the issue of identity-based federalism.

Leader of Social Democratic Party warned of ethnic war after the promulgation of the new constitution. Spokesman of INNM and former general secretary of NEFIN Om Gurung said the promulgation of the new constitution would be a declaration of war in the country. He said the discussion was only a courtesy call and formality as the suggestions could not be incorporated in the constitution.

Those involved in the discussion were Gopal Dahit, Ganga Khasu Magar, Dandu Sherpa, Stella Tamang, Nityananda Tajpuriya and Ganga Chaudhary, NEFIN Chair Nagendra Kumal and General Secretary Pemba Gurung Bhote, among others.