Kathmandu, February 1

CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre lawmakers condemned remarks made by Rastriya Prajatantra Party ministers against federalism, republican order, and secularism.

CPN-UML lawmaker Raghuji Panta and CPN-MC lawmaker Shakti Basnet said that Cabinet members' remarks against constitutional provisions were not acceptable.

They were referring to RPP ministers who said their party had not accepted federalism, republican order, or secularism.

Minister of Urban Development Bikram Pandey had said in Chitwan that his party had not accepted republican order, secularism, or federalism and would not accept any diktats from the prime minister on those things.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had said in a National Assembly address that if any minister spoke against constitutional provisions, he would issue show cause notice to them.

Panta said ministers who took the oath to protect the constitution should not speak against constitutional provisions, including the republican order, federalism, and secularism.

Panta said conversion to Christianity was a cause for concern, but that was happening because of policy gaps and enticement, not because of secularism. Panta said politics of religion led to bigotry and intolerance, citing examples of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. He said diverse faiths were living in harmony in Nepal and that spirit of tolerance and harmony should be promoted and maintained in the country.

CPN-Maoist Centre lawmaker Shakti Basnet said that while debates could be permitted in the Parliament and streets on issues that were amendable, but ministers' remarks against constitutional provisions would not be tolerated.

Basnet said one needed to travel to far flung areas of Karnali, Sudurpaschim, Madhes, and eastern hill districts to comprehend the importance of federalism. "We adopted federalism to address unequal development and inclusion. We need to honestly implement federalism," he added.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 2, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.