KATHMANDU, AUGUST 17 The dissident faction of the Nepali Congress, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, concluded a three-day national gathering in Kathmandu today, adopting five major political resolutions on the party's upcoming 15th General Convention, constitutional amendments, and national identity in terms of religion and culture. The gathering began on August 14, and while it formally concluded on schedule, one resolution - on religion and culture - sparked serious discussion and, ultimately, an on-stage dispute among senior leaders. On religious policy, the assembly committed to recognising Sanatan traditions as a defining aspect of Nepal's national identity. The resolution read: 'Nepal's traditional religion and culture since ancient times is also our national identity. Considering the duty to protect Hindu, Buddhist, Kirat and Prakriti religions... the commitment will be made to move the nation forward with Sanatan religion as the national identity.' Despite the gathering's formal conclusion, its final session was marred by a public dispute between senior leaders on stage over the wording of this resolution. As leader Deepak Prasad Kuikel read out the drafted resolutions from the rostrum, former vice-president Bimalendra Nidhi approached the lectern to object to the draft prepared by former spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat. A brief physical scuffle followed as the two leaders tugged over the draft document before Dr Mahat escorted Nidhi back to his seat. The disagreement centred on specific phrasing. Dr Mahat's draft advocated recognising Sanatan traditions as part of the national identity while guaranteeing freedom to practise historical faiths. Nidhi argued that the party should adhere strictly to its traditional stance of 'religious freedom', without additional qualification. Deuba ultimately intervened, directing that Dr Mahat's original draft be read out as written. Addressing the assembly, he said that while he personally identifies as Hindu, he fully respects the freedom of all individuals to practise their respective faiths. 'I am personally a Hindu,' Deuba said in his address to party cadres. 'I have observed the Bratabandha sacred thread ceremony and married according to Hindu traditions. I visit Pashupatinath and offer prayers.' Addressing broader state policy and constitutional issues concerning religion, he emphasised that ultimate authority rests with the sovereign public rather than political decrees. 'However, what happens or does not happen in terms of religion in the country depends on the decision of the people,' Deuba stated, adding, 'There must be religious freedom for everyone in the nation.' According to the second resolution, the assembly decided that the 15th General Convention will be organised under Deuba's leadership and direction, with Dr Shashank Koirala appointed chief coordinator. The faction expressed firm confidence that unifying the party under Deuba's leadership is critical to the convention's success and in the meantime, Koirala will coordinate regular party activities under Deuba's direction. The third resolution urged dialogue with national and democratic forces to strengthen nationalism and democratic institutions, citing BP Koirala's 1976 policy of national unity and reconciliation during times of crisis. The fourth resolution commits to pursuing necessary constitutional amendments through dialogue with relevant stakeholders within the current constitutional framework. THAPA WARNS AGAINST PRIVATISING LEGACY OF LEADERS Nepali Congress (NC) President Gagan Kumar Thapa cautioned that the legacy of leaders such as BP Koirala and Ganeshman Singh should not be ''privatised'' or confined to their families, stressing that their political contributions belong to the wider democratic movement. Addressing a programme organised to launch NC leader Dharma Gautam's book - 'BP ra Bidrohaka Ti Din' (BP and Those Days of Revolt), here on Sunday, Thapa observed that BP Koirala's 'Melmilap ko Niti' (policy of national reconciliation) remains highly relevant and continues to draw public discussion. Thapa highlighted the importance of documenting historical events through credible sources rather than relying on personal recollections. Regarding a recent gathering of the party's establishment faction, Thapa urged the journalists to wait until coming Monday for an official press conference to be organised at the party's central office.