All are equal

I was surprised by the news “Petty kings’ regal titles legit, says SC” published in THT on March 18 regarding the verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) in response to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Om Prakash Aryal to quash the title, allowances and other facilities of the petty kings like Mustangi, Bajhangi, etc. In my opinion, the issue raised by the petitioner was genuine even though the SC quashed the petition. According to the promulgation of the 1990 Constitution, every Nepali citizen is considered equal before the law. The Constitution also says that Nepal has one King only, who is a descendant of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal.

So, the title and other facilities given to the petty kings on the basis of descent are not in line with the constitutional provision.

Roshan K Bista, Butwal

Shameful

This is in reference to the World Water Day celebrated on March 22. It is said that Nepal is the second richest country in water resources. But ironically, most Nepalis live without

access to pure drinking water. It is a matter of shame. On top of that, whatever little water is supplied is contaminated and many people in Nepal die of water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid and others. There is an acute shortage of clean water even in the urban areas, not to talk of the remote villages. It is also disgraceful to talk about the condition of the holy rivers in Kathmandu and other cities. They are used as dumping sites. Though much voice has been raised to control river pollution, the authorities have not paid enough attention.

It is our right to get enough clean water, and the aquatic animals too have their right to live in a safe environment.

All should work together to clean the rivers.

Gopal Shrestha, via e-mail

Holi

On March 21, while I was on my way to Pashupatinath temple via Jayabageshwori with my friend, I was hit by a balloon full of water from a house in a galli thrown by some girls who later enjoyed my poor plight thoroughly. I was enraged.

But I was astonished to see the parents of these children silently supporting their kids in an act that has its fundamentals wrong.

Even days before Holi, young people in the valley throw balloons at pedestrians. We are supposed to celebrate Holi only on Fagu Purnima. I wonder why some people play with colours before the day and disturb the public.

The youth should not misuse our tradition and the elders should teach their children the right way to observe Holi and advise them to celebrate it only on the specific day.

Manoj Kumar Poudel,

via e-mail

Bullfighting

This is in reference to a photograph of a bullfight published in THT on March 21. The caption read “A bull fights with a horse and its rider during the Fallas bull festival in Valencia.” Though the picture was brilliant, it is beyond my comprehension how people can indulge in merrymaking at the cost of innocent animals. Western culture is supposed to be civilised and people there are well educated. It does not suit them to have fun by killing innocent animals.

Certainly bullfighting is a historical game in Spain, but given the plea from animal rights activists, does this game need to be continued? It’s awful to watch such a sight and disgusting to see people encouraging it and paying a lot of money to see such a gory act.

Shiva Bhandari,Kathmandu.