Do not break tradition

The protest over the appointment of the priests from Carnataka at the Pashupatinath temple is itself a big sacrilege against a time-honoured holy tradition of the Hindu pantheon. Those involved in this act cannot be regarded as true-followers

of the Vedic pantheon. Many are ignorant of the fact that the tradition of appointing Carnatic Bhatta Brahmins was set byno less a Sage and Seer than the Adi Shanker. He had started this tradition on arrival in Kathmandu as part of his mission of reviving the Vedic Dharma in the four corners of what was known then as Bharatabarsha, a celebrated nomenclature used for the geographical entity which also included what are today’s

Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal and which had consisted of various principalities, big and small. There must have been some unavoidable reasons behind the great Acharya’s having preferred members of the particular Bhatta clan for being appointed priests for the Pashupatinath shrine. And, one shouldn’t break thistraditionset by so great a religious icon as the Shanker who was not only a great authority in all matters connected with the timeless Vedic religion but because he also happened to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva himself. Meanwhile, the Pashupatinath temple is not the exclusive religious center of the Nepali Hindus. It is the common religious heritage of the followers of the Vedic pantheon of all clime and country, even like the temples of the Vaishno Devi, the Amarnath, the Rameswaram, Dwarika, Jagannath, Kashi Viswanath and the Kamaroop Kamakshya are also the holy worship places for the Nepali Hindus in common with their co-religionists from all over the world. Perhaps those who protest against the Carnataka Bhatta Brahmins being appointed the chief Priests at the Pashupatinath shrine are not aware of the

fact that the Catholic Christians all over the world do never protest the selection of deserving holymen from various countries of Europe for being appointed as the Pope at the Vatican.

Yadav Khanal, Tripureswore, Kathmandu

Positive sign

Though the Nepal Government seems to be still under formation even after more than 100 days, and now under difficulties, there are some signs that it is trying hard to fix very complicated issues. The courageous statement by the Prime Minister to integrate Maoist fighters in cantonments into the Nepal Army or to rehabilitate them with other employment opportunities according to the choice of the fighters seems to be a very positive sign for the translation of the peace process into reality.

V.P. Sayami, via e-mail

Great feat

The newly appointed Army Chief Chhatra Man Singh Gurung is he first person from the ethnic community to take over the mantle as the new CoAS in Nepal Army’s history. He is also the first Army Chief to be appointed by the President. So it is a great achievement for the ethnic communities residing in Nepal. We request the newly appointed Army Chief and all concerned political parties to keep the Nepal Army (NA) out of politics. Nepal Army should not be politicized in the name of integration, institutionalization and inclusiveness.

Roshan Kumar Jha, Kathmandu School of Law, Bhaktapur

Much awaited

The long standing and much awaited demand to set up a labour commission has been started by the government. It is good news for the trade unions as it would expedite the settlement of labour disputes and advise the government

in labour related issues. My suggestion is that a member of the commission should not be selected from any trade union or business groups. The members should be appointed purely on the basis of knowledge, expertise and capability. Then only will the decision of the commission be unbiased and fair. The Government should discuss and consult all the stakeholders like trade unions,businessmen, experts and professorsto finalise the authority and powers of the commission. Lacking this may make the commission dysfunctional and be a threat to the industrial sector. There should be clear demarcation between the powers of such commission and the prevailing courts. Moreover, membersshould be appointed through the recommendation of the

Constituent Assembly selection committee to make both the members of commission and selection committee accountable.

Regmi Siris, Bhaisepati.