Irresponsible remarks:

Your editorial “The age of change” (April 19) made clear the public disappointment over the remarks of the ‘veteran’ leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai after he met the King. I agree that whether he is a royalist or not is an insignificant matter in today’s political events. But by simply branding his remarks as ‘facile’, you did not do justice to the editorial. Instead you should have included words like ‘irresponsible’ or ‘ridiculous’ to describe his comments. It is futile to expect ‘ripe wisdom’ from someone ho has lost all sense of direction. A leader of his stature should respect the popular will. Since he actively fought for the restoration of democracy, the public never expected foolish remarks from such a ‘seasoned’ politician.

Ajay Patthar, via e-mail

People’s right:

We have been watching and hearing news of the demonstrators being killed or wounded by the security forces. While the agitation is intensifying by the day, it is unfortunate that the King is reluctant to concede power to the people even now. The King should know that he cannot go on ruling the country with an iron hand depending on the army alone. The people’s rights must be restored immediately. The political parties and diplomats should lobby at international fora, especially the UN, to urge other nations to support the Nepali people’s movement. Since the RNA men are loyal to the palace, there is no harm in welcoming a UN peacekeeping force in Nepal till complete democracy is restored.

Hari Pandey, via e-mail

Wrong angle:

Some recent media reports on the Newar community’s participation in the ongoing democratic movement have disturbed me. Such news would only give rise to communal feelings. The reality is that the present movement has drawn participation not only of the Newars, but of all other ethnic groups as well. Though the Newars have been in the forefront during the past movement as well, the media should not stoop to the communal angle to sell stories. Newars live everywhere in the country and are actively participating in the present democratic movement from places like Jhapa, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Ilam, Butwal, Baglung, Gorkha, Surkhet and others, not only from Kathmandu.

Shanta Lall Mulmi, via e-mail

Urgent steps:

The people’s struggle to regain their lost rights has reached its climax, with too much blood having already been shed. The King’s meeting with former prime ministers indicates that he is finally concerned about the volatile situation. But just meeting political leaders is not enough; he has to give vent to the aspirations of the people. At the same time, the statements made by those ex-prime ministers were vague. They did not reassure the agitated people. If the King wants to show that he is willing to address the people’s aspirations, he has, firstly, to release all the political leaders as well as human rights activists held in detention. The monarch should invite the parties to talks after that. Also, the Maoists have to be made a party to such a dialogue process.

Ishwari Pradhan, via email