Haste might backfire

When 329 law-makers walk into the interim parliament in the special session scheduled to be held this Thursday, I hope they will think long and hard about the country’s pressing issues. It is widely believed that the Maoists asked for the special session instead

of going ahead with the scheduled election as they were not confident of their poll prospects. The Maoists need to understand that their vote banks will not increase by an unceremonious and arbitrary declaration of a republic.

Secondly, such a decision is bound to provoke the section of Nepalis still loyal or sympathetic to the monarchy. Such a decision will not also be appreciated by people who supported the parties based on the promise of ‘people’s sovereignty’ to decide the nation’s future. Add to this the fact that there is already a sense that this parliament has exceeded its mandate in making some controversial decisions such as the declaration of a secular state, or the appropriation of king’s role in cultural and religious functions.

Hence, I hope that our parliamentarians do not walk into the parliament with short-sighted or parochial advantages in mind. They should take decisions upholding the principles of liberty and justice and with a commitment to bring peace and prosperity in the country.

Satyajeet Nepali, Kathmandu

Rule of law

This is in reference to the news report “Abducted child’s body found” (THT, Oct. 9) regarding the murder of eight-year-old Sainbu resident Dhiraj Adhikari.

Abducting and killing a child to settle a family feud speaks volumes about the sick mindset of the killers. These incidents cannot and should not be ignored and every measure should be taken to ensure similar incidents do not happen in the future. But, no one should lose sight of the fact that there are legitimate law-enforcement bodies to punish the culprits. But however

gruesome the act, people should not take the law into their hands. Otherwise, there will be absolute anarchy, and rule of the jungle will prevail.

Sheetal Shrestha, via e-mail

Advice

Apropos of Anwesh Acharya’s Midway article “Morbid medicine” (THT, Oct. 9), I, as an aspiring medical professional, disagree that we should not accept the advice given by experienced but non-medical persons. Though the patients should not completely rely on

people without professional medical experience, the advice given by them can often be helpful. The present generation is used to getting good advice even from medical resources available online. Let us not forget the instances of the patients having to suffer due to the negligence of doctors. Though the doctors are the final authority, there is not much harm in listening to experienced people.

Menash Shrestha, via e-mail

People’s right

The CPN- Maoists’ pullout from the eight party alliance has reduced the people’s faith in the Maoists. It is surprising that people still believe in political parties who put their own interests before those of the country. Since sovereignty rests with the people, it is the right of the public to decide whether or not to declare Nepal a republic.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne