KATHMANDU, JUNE 23

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that with the development of modern society, the benefits of democracy should be linked to the lifestyle of all castes and communities.

Addressing the meeting of the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities here today, Prime Minister Dahal stressed on the need to ensure the rights of the indigenous communities by keeping alive the traditions of them.

'Indigenous nationalities are an important basis of identity and traditional customs, considering ancient land as a symbol of faith, the communities are not only using natural resources but are protecting and enhancing nature based on their original, traditional knowledge and skills,' he said.

Mentioning that the constitution provides various rights to the indigenous communities including the right to equality and social justice, Prime Minister Dahal recalled that under the policy of social justice and inclusion, the right to live with dignity has been ensured with the identity of the indigenous communities.

'The Constitution has given priority to the tribal people in terms of opportunities and benefits,' Prime Minister Dahal said, 'When submitting candidates for the House of Representatives elections, which are held according to the proportional election system, the political parties will not be based on the population.

In order to identify, protect and promote the cultural heritage of the tribal community, Prime Minister Dahal said that it is necessary to protect and develop an open and lively museum and model cultural heritage targeted at the tribal community with the preservation of the mother tongue. 'In order to preserve the language, culture, and tradition of the tribal community, it is necessary to run a tribal university at the national level,' he said.