Nepal adopts historic Constitution amid protests

Almost a decade after ending a long running civil war, Nepal has formally adopted a new constitution. Although 60 representatives of the Madhes centric parties and other indigenous groups or janjatis boycotted the promulgation event as they are against the new constitution calling it a farce that denies them their rights.

“The protesting parties see the current design of federal demarcation plan in the new constitution as a way to minimize their demographic power, and lessen their political bargaining capacity”, said Dipendra Jha, a lawyer at the Supreme Court and a Madhesi practicing in Kathmandu.

Nepalese people burn portraits of Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, left, and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a protest against its government, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, September 22, 2015.

India has expressed its deep concern over growing violence in Nepal following its adoption of a new federal constitution. “India has been strongly supportive of constitution making in Nepal”.

The earthquakes that killed greater than 9,000 individuals in Nepal this yr galvanized politicians, who had squabbled for seven years to complete the constitution.

Nepalese people carry their national flag during a protest against…

India has also told Nepal that differences should be “resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation, and institutionalized in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance”, according to the report.

Monarchy has ended and Nepal is finally a secular state.

The new constitution will come into force after a ceremony on Sunday evening and will trigger the resignations of both the government and the president, although the timing of those changes is unclear.

Clauses over citizenship in the country of 28 million people were some of the most contentious, with critics saying they discriminate against women who marry foreigners, and that their children are denied equal access to citizenship.

The strain comes as a setback after successful visits previous year to Nepal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s swift Herculean relief and rescue assistance to that country following the natural disaster that had struck Nepal a few months ago.

“Promulgation of the new constitution is victory of everyone, and I would request the agitated parties to join us in its celebration”.

He added: “The Constitution is the common document of all of us to protect our freedom, independence, geographic integrity, and sovereignty in people”.