LETTERS: Political gap not healthy

It is frustrating to see the ongoing political environment in the country at a time when the major political parties should have set aside their political differences and been ready for the local elections.

This does not show a healthy political trend.

The political gap between the ruling and the opposition parties is widening which is not a good indication. The ruling parties have started playing number games in Parliament for getting through the constitution amendment bill.

The opposition parties led by the CPN-UML do not seem to budge a single inch from their political stand. However, NC general secretary Shashank Koirala seems to be in favour of political consensus among the parties for going to the polls (“Political consensus must for polls: Shashank”, THT, January 10, Page 3).

But, will he be able to convince other Congress leaders to be serious in having a political dialogue with the opposition and the other agitating parties for coming to an agreement on major issues? This is the right time for him to play a facilitating role and show his political skills.

Otherwise, saying one thing and doing another is meaningless. On the other hand, it is unfortunate to read the news “Ruling parties confident of passing bill” (THT, January 10, Page 3) when Shashank was talking about political consensus.

Garnering a two-thirds majority for getting the bill through Parliament may not be a problem for the ruling parties. Will that help to clear the political uncertainty that is hovering over the country?

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

DANGEROUS

This is with reference to the news story “Ex-king ‘worried’ for Nepal’s sovereignty” (THT, January 11, Page 3). It is laudable to hear that the ex-king has a patriotic obligation in what it takes to make a country united geographically, religiously, and ethnically.

This may not be the right time to talk about religious matters over which religion should be recognised by the state neglecting other developmental issues.

However, owing to secularism some elements in society are becoming the brokers of foreign religions to dismantle Hinduism and Sanatan traditions in a more strategic and manipulative manner.

In the past the Western forces used to come with sophisticated weapons to take over our land, now the recipe for the modern-day war is to come with religious texts for their ideological battle with our faith.

It is really sad that missionaries play the mind game with innocent, uneducated and poor people in Nepal to mislead them by saying Hinduism has discriminated against them. This kind of speculative crime is making people detached from each other.

This and the offer of material benefits for conversions are destroying the native religions of Nepal. We need to guard against such missionaries who try to fish in troubled waters.

This kind of division is what is happening in Nepal, under various names. Under foreign influence and incentives, some people, including immigrants, are trying to get the country divided into various separate states.

This is very dangerous to Nepal’s sovereignty as well as to its existence as an independent nation.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne