KATHMANDU: Brushing aside the clamours for Nepal as a Hindu and unitary state, Constitution Assembly (CA) chair Subash Nembang Saturday said the country will not backtrack from its stance of secularism and federalism.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the seventh general convention of the Nepal Indigenous Nationalities Federation (NINF), Nembang said the country has already turned to secular and federal course through declaration from the House.

Providing a weight to agitations for the rights of indigenous nationalities, the CA chair, himself from indigenous community, described ethnic diversity as one of the distinguishing features of the country’s nationhood.

He further claimed any act meted out to curb the rights of indigenous nationalities would be counterproductive to the larger interests of the nation.

The CA Chair also expressed his optimism about the drafting of the new constitution by the set deadline of May 28, adding that consensus among political parties is the only way to move ahead at this critical juncture of transformation.

At the function, the leaders of the indigenous federation warned, if need be, of more stern steps to establish their voice for protection of the secularism, federalism and republicanism.

Earlier on the day, the NINF took out a mass rally from Sundhara to Bhrikutimandap, the convention venue.

The convention will continue for another two days.