Thursday, May 13, 2010

Nepal a Secular State vs. Hindu State

May 13, 2010

Gentlemen

Let me get the record straight.
  • I am a Hindu.
  • I don’t subscribe to the idea that Buddhists are also Hindus.
  • According to the last census 80% of people in Nepal are Hindus. But that, in my considered opinion, is misleading. Because a number of ethnic communities, for example, profess animism but the enumerators at that time have recorded them as Hindus. Then there have been campaigns launched to Sanksritize which also has resulted bloating the number of Hindus.
  • I don’t support the proposal that Nepal should be declared a Hindu state. Because something as such will negate/deny ethno-cultural-religious-linguistic diversity of this beautiful country.
  • There are only two choices in front of us. One, the constitution should keep silent about religion. There are multitudes of countries that do this. Two, we can declare Nepal as a secular country to respect/recognize multitude of religions practiced in Nepal.
  • My position on the authority of Interim Constitution proclaimed by Interim parliament is clear. Only this Constituent Assembly is empowered to decide on important issues like this. If CA is unable to decide about this issue with requisite 2/3 majority then this issue should be decided by a referendum.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha

From: (deleted due to reluctance of the sender to make his name pulic)
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 13:00
To: Tilak Shrestha Cc: Ratna Sansar Shrestha
Subject: **SPAM** Re: **SPAM** RE: Newars_StandUp

Tilakju,

It's clear that straight thinking intellectulas like Ratna Sansarju also do not support your crazy demand for a referendum on declaring Nepal a Hindu state.

By the way, how do you like the resolution passed in India where they will do whatever it needs to get Nepal declared a Hindu state and Kamal Thapa has participated in that meeting and also endorsed it.

Now where does all your claim stand? If Nepal is declared a Hindu state in new Constitution at whose behest will it be declared. Isn't it a matter of great shame and embarrassment for us that such a resolution is being passed in India by Hindu zealots who do not have enough courage to demand a referendum in India for declaring India a Hindu state even if they know that Hindus constitute a overwhelming majority.

On the interim nature of the Interim Constitution. I am equally aware of this fact but you also cannot decline that federalism and secular state are two basic tenets agreed upon and no one (except Kamal Thapa) is demanding these to be reviewed in new Constitution. Period.

Subhaye

On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 6:22 AM, Ratna Sansar Shrestha <rsansar@mos.com.np> wrote:

Tilak ju et al

Being a student of law who has been in the legal profession since for 34 years I also want to make couple of comments.

Constituent Assembly was elected specifically to write the constitution. Therefore, only CA has people’s mandate to decide on the gamut of issues related to new constitution for Nepal. Interim constitution cannot preempt the popularly elected CA in deciding any issue. This is internationally accepted constitutional law.

Financially, if the interim constitution is to be considered the final document, then why have we spent over 10 billion rupees to elect jumbo sized Constituent Assembly and additionally, why are we spending another 10 billion rupees to pay the members of CA salary allowances etc.

Personally speaking on the two issues you two are debating my stand is as follows: I am against fragmentation of this tiny country by fragmenting it on ethno-cultural-religious-linguistic lines. Similarly, I am against declaring Nepal a Hindu state.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha

From: Tilak Shrestha [mailto:tilakbs@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 7, 2010 0:37
To: rsansar@mos.com.np
Subject: **SPAM** RE: Newars_StandUp

Interim constitution is 'Interim.' It is neither debated nor ratified. Thus, it is valid only to run the government till new ratified constitution is in place. It cannot do major national decisions. Besides the issue secularism was never discussed, decided only by Prachand, kept secret even from top leaders of all the parties. It was declared illegally and unacceptable. For your information it is due to Church money as reported by Prem Kaidi Ju. It is basically designed to do Christian conversions. FYI, a convert has to destroy all the ancestral idols including Buddha. Please check with your converted friends.

Subhaye, Tilak

Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 22:22:37 +0545
Subject: Re: Newars_StandUp
From: (deleted due to reluctance of the sender to make his name pulic)
To: tilakbs@hotmail.com
CC: rsansar@mos.com..np

Tilakju,
Jojalapa

You are refusing to accept the Interim Constitution and the basic tenets in it...so it is again your prerogative to accept or not....

please spare me...do not reply and I do not want to read your blind unacceptance of the Interim constitution...

Subhaye.....

On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 10:15 PM, Tilak Shrestha <tilakbs@hotmail.com> wrote:

No, the decision on secularism and federal system are not made yet. Major national decisions done without people's mandate is illegal, unconstitutional and unacceptable. The issue will be raised, referendum will be held and valid decisions will be made.

Subhaye,

Tilak Shrestha, Ph.D.

Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 22:04:26 +0545
Subject: Re: **SPAM** Re: FW: **SPAM** RE: Newars_StandUp
From: deleted due to reluctance of the sender to make his name pulic)
To: mailto:rsansar@mos.com.np CC: tilakbs@hotmail.com

Ratna Sansarju,

We can come up with numerous examples to support each other's argument.....Even in most democratic countries major decisions are made without 'referendum': often by the decision of Parliament which is an elected body by the people.

You being a true democrat in present day world can you explain why a major decision detremintal to out hydropower development like Arun-III project was cancelled by a cabinet's decision? and why the same project is being taken up again now?

So, for the peace of our mind let us leave the discussions on 'federalism' and 'secular state': a decision has already been made. We cannot agree on all issues and it is wise to understand some other people might prescribe to other views too.

Subhaye...


On Thu, May 6, 2010 at 6:42 AM, Ratna Sansar Shrestha <rsansar@mos.com.np> wrote:

I too am in favor of holding referendum on whether Nepal should head for fragmentation by restructuring this tiny country on ethno-cultural-religious-linguistic line or not. Let’s do it.

I don’t think your comment that “Some major decisions are made politically and not necessarily backed by the population” is compatible to democratic norm. The decisions made politically, without the backing of the population, will be undemocratic. That’s what absolute monarchs did in the past. I am amazed that you want that in this age and time. Maybe it’s the case of if a decision is made “politically” on the lines one likes then that is okay even without being backed by the “population” and would also be deemed “democratic”. This is a kind of “heads one win and tails others lose” kind of proposition. Therefore, if any proposal doesn’t have the support of the population, then that is unacceptable to the population and the nation. PERIOD.

Nepali people didn’t sacrifice to abolish Shah monarchy just to bring back another form of undemocratic, absolute rule where decisions are to be made “politically” and imposed on the populace without their support.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha

From: (deleted due to reluctance of the sender to make his name pulic)
Sent: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 12:14
To: Ratna Sansar Shrestha
Subject: **SPAM** Re: FW: **SPAM** RE: Newars_StandUp

Ratna Sansarju,
Jojalapa

So there is news for you guys to celebrate...

If you would have believed the opinion polls published earlier on monarchy and hindu state the picture were no different...that's why Kamal Thapa is demanding referendum.

Some major decisions are made politically and not necessarily backed by the population.

Subhaye

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 6:27 AM, Ratna Sansar Shrestha <rsansar@mos.com.np> wrote:

Tilak ju I know of some results of poll survey which is relevant in the context, although it doesn’t exactly respond to the query you have raised.

According to the latest poll conducted by Himal media, 27.25% people in Nepal support federalism and 36.5% are against it while 32.2% don’t know about federalism. You can refer to it by reading Himal Khabarpatrika (also available on the net). Of the 27.25% for the federalism only 25% are in favor of ethno-cultural-religious-linguistic provincialization.

Similarly, according to another poll survey conducted by Interdisciplinary Analysts some months back, only 22 percent of Newa people are in favor of New Rajya and 36 percent opine that “Nepal should not be a federal state”.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha

From: Tilak Shrestha [mailto:tilakbs@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 22:33
To: rsansar@mos.com.np;
Subject: **SPAM** RE: Newars_StandUp

Thanks for your better esteem of myself than I deserve. Sorry to disappoint you, but I am just a worker, not a leader and never claimed being one.

However, I do ask ‘Explicitly’ all the Newa Organizations and Leaders (claiming so) to make their views publicly clear. That way, ordinary Newars like I will know exactly who and what they are. Is their loyalty to Newar community or to Maoists? What are their views on Maoists extortions and intimidations of Newar businesses and individuals? What are their programs in support or against? I have no problem if an individual or an organization openly supports Maoists. I may not agree with them, but I appreciate their honesty. I have problem when they claim to support Newar community, but in fact support communists.

Of course, their views would become even clearer if they tell what size and boundary of Newa Swayatta Rajya should be. What is yours? Is it two districts as Maoists have promised or with ten districts claimed by Newa organizations?

Here are a few of the latest news. The people have already started reacting against Maoists intimidations. Who knows if it would snowball? Please do not forget to send your good wishes to the Newar brother in Naikap whose head is broken by the Maoists even after extorting money.
Adarsh Ju, please do me a favor. What is your assessment if free election takes place today? How Maoists will fair in Kathmandu? Outside? I will appreciate your honest opinion.

Subhaye,

Tilak Shrestha, Ph.D.
PS: I wonder if Nepal Police is coloring and dowsing Laathis with fragrance.
That way it would looks and smells good when delivering fruits of Karma.


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