Heed the mandate

The leftists in the interim parliament have, after a period of uncertainty, passed the resolution to declare the country a democratic federal republic and go for proportional

electoral system for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) polls. This has sent the message to the common people that at least the communists of the country, in real terms,

understand the ‘true’ spirit of the people who fought, tooth and nail, against the direct rule of the King during Jana Andolan II.

However, the so-called constitutionalists and ‘think tanks’ of the country have been arguing that the government cannot directly implement the passed resolutions, and that these can at best constitute a kind of pressure. This warped logic has no practical significance as it grossly tries to undermine the essence of Jana Andolan II.

The government leaders and the political parties must keep in mind that

today’s interim parliament does not reflect the prerogatives of a handful of leaders but the spontaneous feeling of the common Nepalis for a ‘change’. During Jana Andolan II, the people shouted against the King, and not necessarily for Girija Prasad Koirala, Prachanda, Madhav Nepal, and so on. In other words, this government and the parliament have been formed through people’s power.

Therefore, the government should implement any policy that has the backing of the

common people and reflects the will of the majority of the parties in the parliament. Everyone should be clear about the point that the constitution is all about people. The people have been demanding for a long time that Nepal be declared a democratic federal republic and a date for CA polls be announced. If the government fails to do so, it will lose credibility among the people and the dream of the martyrs of the country will remain unfulfilled.

Rupesh R Khanal,

via e-mail

Noisome

With Tihar around the corner, the festive mood has gripped the country once again. But lighting up firecrackers long before the arrival of Tihar has definitely not helped to keep alive the spirit of the festival. It is irritating and disturbing to hear firecrackers go off wantonly way before Deepawali.

Nowadays, loud firecrackers are set alight in broad daylight creating considerable disturbance. Crackers are supposed to be lighted only during Tihar, not before it. It would do the society so much good if the selling of firecrackers before the arrival of the festival could be controlled.

Abijit Sharma, via e-mail

Repatriate

The repatriation of Bhutanese refugees is one of the biggest issues in Nepal. Nearly two decades have passed with our leaders dilly-dallying on the issue. On the other hand, the

United States is concerned about resettling the refugees on its soil.

America’s real motive remains a mystery. Could it be that they plan to employ the resettled refugees in rather difficult jobs that the normal Americans are reluctant to take up? No one should forget that these people are the citizens of Bhutan, first and the foremost. Giving the refugees the first option of repatriation to their motherland would be best.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne, Australia