With both social media and Nepalese media abuzz with anti-India sentiments following reports that India is trying to interfere in Nepal’s internal politics and Constitution-making process, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday clarified that without being prescriptive on specific clauses India would like Nepal to resolve its differences through dialogue.
Without directly naming the Madhesis, India stressed that the dialogue should be in an atmosphere which is free from violence, and institutionalised in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance. More than 40 persons were reported to be killed in violence in Nepal along Indian borders over the issue.
In a statement, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: “GOI (Government of India) has not handed over any list of specific Constitutional amendments or changes to the Government of Nepal. Without being prescriptive on specific clauses, and as already stated earlier, we continue to urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence, and institutionalized in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance.”
The Pioneer had on Wednesday reported that there are seven points of dispute in Nepal’s new Constitution on which the Madhesis in Nepal are agitating. Amnesty International and women groups too have criticised Nepal’s new Constitution, saying it discriminates against women by making it more difficult for mothers to pass on citizenship to their children compared with fathers. “The new Constitution has a number of major human rights shortcomings which... Need to be urgently addressed,” said David Griffiths, Amnesty’s research director for South Asia. “In particular, the rights of women and marginalised communities are not clearly and sufficiently protected.”
With the political crisis getting worse, Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has cancelled his plans to visit the US to attend the UN General Assembly session. It is learnt that the Nepali PM has cancelled his visit to hold talks with the Madhesi and other regional groups opposed to the Constitution adopted on Sunday.
The cancellation of the visit comes two days after India expressed concern over the violence in Terai districts and asked the Government to resolve the issue politically through peaceful means of dialogue instead of using force.