Kathmandu, December 12:

The All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), students’ wing of the CPN-UML, today announced a three-month long campaign for a democratic republic. The union announced that the campaign would be launched in six major districts — Kathmandu, Lahan, Janakpur, Butwal, Surkhet and Dhangadi. Around 3,000 student activists will be mobilised for the campaign. In three months’ time, they intend to reach every educational institute to create awareness about a democratic republic and educational rights.

Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of CPN-UML, launching the campaign said: “There is a need to attack imperialism and uproot monarchy. Till the monarchy remains, there is no way that the general public would enjoy their basic rights.”

Stating that the education act should be reformed, he held Prime Minister GP Koirala responsible for the delay in the appointment of VC. The educational sector should not be politicised, he added.

Thakur Gaire, president of ANNFSU, said: “The campaign would raise awareness on students’ rights and the role they

can play in setting up a republic in Nepal.”

Gaire said that the campaign would publicise the major educational decisions of the 17th national convention of the union. The decisions include endorsement of free education till grade 8, reformation in the examination system and provision for interest-free educational loan for going for higher education.

“The king should be punished as the Royal commission has already indicted him. The Maoists and the Nepali Congress have joined hands to save monarchy. Hence, the students should raise their voice against it,” he added.

Surendra Pandey, student in-charge of CPN-UML, said that Jana Andolan II had already confirmed that the people were in favour of a democratic republic.