Pyuthan, July 21

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bamdev Gautam today argued against keeping the provision of ‘complete’ press freedom in the new constitution, terming the word redundant.

“As we are always striving for complete press freedom, we don’t have to mention the word ‘complete’ in the constitution. Yet, if it makes mediapersons happy, lets keep the word,” he said while speaking to journalists at the District Administration Office, Pyuthan.

He was in the district to attend the feedback collection programme.

He added that secular state wouldn’t favour any religion whatsoever. He also clarified that the state would continue to invest in the promotion of religious and historic sites.

“It’s understandable that the state won’t discriminate against any religion under secularism. However, it does not necessarily mean that the government will hesitate to do the needful for the development of religious and historic sites, including Pashupatinath Temple, Lumbini, Swargadwari, and Muktinath, which are our national heritages,” he argued.

Gautam claimed that the constitution will be promulgated no later than mid-August. “No hue and cry of any extent will stop the promulgation of the statute,” he said.