Recently, Indian and Nepal has been in news for the issue of release of new constitution of Nepal and India’s concern over some of the points that it contains. The new federal constitution has made the Indo-Nepal ties a bit sour. China has supported the constitution but the people of Nepal are engaged in protest to make some changes in the constitution. The nation is divided into seven federal provinces, but ethnic groups in southern area want more rights and territory for ethnic federal state.
Well here we are discussing about some of the points/ articles in constitution that have emerged as the reason of protest and riots in Nepal. Some of the articles were properly mentioned in interim constitution, but their new version in final constitution is something else.
- Article 11(6)- if a foreign man marries a Nepali woman then he will get the citizenship of Nepal as per the federal constitution
- The interim constitution of Nepal gives the provision of framing of electoral constituency after every 10 years according to the Article 154 of constitution. But the original constitution has increased the duration to 20 years.
- Article 86 mentions that national assembly will comprise of 8 members from each of 7 states and 3 nominated members. While Madhesi parties want representation on the bases of population of the states.
- Article 21 of interim constitution clears that different groups of nation will have right to participate in state structures on the basis of proportional inclusion’. The constitution passed don’t have the word proportional
- Constitution’s Article 283 mentions that only nationals are entitled to hold the seats of major positions like President, Prime Minister, Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker of parliament etc.. Here, the problem arises for the Madhesi people who have acquired citizenship and is seen as discriminatory for Madhesis.
- Article 63(3) of interim constitution makes population, geography and special characters as the base of electoral constituencies. While in case of Madhesis, percentage of population is to be considered. Under this provision, Madhe got 50 percent seat in parliament who constitute more than 50 percent of the population. This have been omitted and need to be re-included to give Madhes proportional electoral constituencies according to their population
These points are raised by India for resolving them and amending. Well, some people have made comments on India’s concern for Nepal and pointed it as interference.
Current situation as per media, protesters have gathered and interrupted the two main border openings with India, shutting supply lines. The ethnic group form the southern area of Nepal have told about their marginalization. PM Sushil Koirla is holding meetings with leaders to pacify the situation. Some 45 people have lost their lives in the protest. India is concerned about the protest and riots as it could infect India also, as many Nepalese are residing in Indian Territory also. Police is deployed to tackle protesters in order to curb their effect to common people. Well the final move in this issue will come after consulting leaders and India is also paying proper attention to its close neighbor.
