One of the agendas of the Rastriya Prajatatra Party-Nepal is to restore the Hindu state in the new constitution. Although I am a cadre of a political party I have some religious affiliation too. I cast my vote to Madhav Kumar Nepal of the CPN-UML and the other to RPP-Nepal under the PR system thinking that Kamal Thapa’s party would be able to restore the Hindu state. Later on, I came to know from the media reports that Thapa appointed some businessmen as CA members. He did not appoint those who was truly religious and followed Hinduism. It was his weakness. However, I trust Thapa whole heartedly for raising the issue of Hinduism as I am a Hindu. But a few days ago Thapa decided to boycott the constitution-drafting process, but he has decided to return to the constitution-drafting process after holding talks with the three major political parties. It was a positive decision of the RPP-Nepal. But on Saturday, Thapa admitted that his party could not restore the Hindu state as his strength was not strong enough to get the required backing in the CA, but he pleaded for supporting the Swami and Yogis. We the people had elected his party to the CA for a Hindu state. In Nepal more than 85 per cent of the people are Hindus. So, it is the righteous demand of the Hindus that the country be declared a religiously Hindu state. But one positive development has happened in that the parties have agreed to define the term of “secularism” as “sanatan religion and culture shall be protected, and there shall be religious and cultural freedom”. This provision will help control conversion of religion under false promises and other forms of temptations in rural areas where conversion to Christianity is on the rise. Nobody should be allowed to engage in conversion.

Raman Adhikari,  Jorpati

Stop violence

The disgruntled parties agitating in the Tarai Region and subsequent loss of lives are very tragic. The need of the hour is for the resumption of dialogue between the Big III and the agitating forces for the constitution. Despite all differences of opinion, the protesting forces have been requested to resume talks. The proceedings at CA had been halted for two days for this reason. At this point of time, it would be in the interest of the nation  that dialogues resumed putting everything aside. Any precondition at this stage seems a little harsh as minute delay will mean further damage of national properties and human lives. Whatever the points, including withdrawing the army, normalizing the situation, compensation against loss of lives and even medical treatment to those injured can be sorted out, but it is important  to stop protests that are causing irreparable loss of lives of the people and security personnel. Agitation can be restarted at any time but the loss of lives is irreparable.

Uday Bindu Sharma, Ghaziabad, India