New Delhi : India extended its full support to the amendments made in Nepal’s constitution yesterday and has expressed hope that other outstanding issues in the nation are also addressed in a similar, productive manner.
“We regard the two amendments passed yesterday by the Nepali Parliament as positive developments. We hope that other outstanding issues are similarly addressed in a constructive spirit,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a statement.
Nepal on Saturday amended its new constitution, in an attempt to appease the agitating Madhesis.
The parliament passed the first amendment to the Constitution of Nepal (2015) amidst sloganeering by Madhesi lawmakers late Saturday night.
Three articles of the constitution have been amended.
The Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha has, however, dubbed the amendment proposal registered by Nepali Congress lawmaker Minendra Rijal as ‘incomplete’.
As soon as Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar began the House proceeding, Madhesi lawmaker Sarbendra Nath Sukla accused the Big Three parties of trying to mislead people by passing an ‘incomplete’ bill. “This amendment fails to fulfil our demands,” he said. “Our agitation will go on.”
After Sukla wrapped up his speech, all Madhesi lawmakers rose from their chairs, encircled the rostrum and obstructed the House. They later walked out of the house to protest the passage of the bill.
He said Rijal’s proposal doesn’t address their grievances. “The proposal doesn’t address the demands of Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims and backward communities,” he said during the Parliament meeting.
Shukla blamed the government of trying to incite communal violence through the Rangeli incident where three persons lost their lives in police firing.
He warned that if the Madhesi agitation was blemished, the lawmakers associated with the UDMF would continue disrupting parliament.
Lawmaker of the Federal Socialist Party, Dimpal Kumari Jha, also said she would not accept the constitution amendment proposal. (ANI)