Rajbiraj, September 18

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav today said that it was not appropriate to mark Constitution Day as Black Day after taking oath pledging allegiance to it.

Speaking at the party’s programme organised in Rajbiraj, Minister Yadav reminded Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal Chair Mahantha Thakur of the fact that he had administered oath of office and secrecy to lawmakers in the Parliament as senior-most member. “Lawmakers were administered oath of office and secrecy pledging to abide by the constitution. So it was not morally right to mark the day as Black Day,” Yadav stated.

Yadav made it clear that it would not be appropriate to participate in a Black Day rally riding on a minister’s vehicle with a flag fluttering. “I have nothing to say for those who mark Black Day. But, the question is which side you are on from the next day,” Yadav said.

Yadav, however, insisted that time had not come to celebrate Constitution Day. “We cannot celebrate Constitution Day unless Madhesi, Dalits and marginalised people are guaranteed rights through constitution amendment,” he said.

Yadav said the government had three major priorities: safeguarding the rights of all the marginalised people through constitution amendment, defending federalism, republicanism and the constitution and ushering in prosperity and development.

Yadav also stressed the need to stay united and committed to development and prosperity of the country.