Constitution amended through unprecedented unity among all political parties
Updated map receives constitutional recognition
258 of 275 lawmakers present in the meeting cast their vote
12 lawmakers were absent and 4 suspended lawmakers could not attend the House
By Our Political Commentator
The Federal Parliament has unanimously endorsed the Constitution (2nd) Amendment Bill to include the updated map of the country in the Coat of Arms.
The political parties, which were divided even during the promulgation of the constitution, showed an unprecedented unity to amend it and give constitutional recognition to the updated map of Nepal showing India-occupied territories of Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura into Nepal. In a rare political development involving India, leaders of all parliamentary parties, including those from Madhes, which are often portrayed pro-Indian forces, stood united on the issue of national sovereignty.
The proposal of Constitution amendment was approved unanimously from the 275-member House of Representatives.
The Constitution Amendment Bill was registered in the House on May 22 seeking an approval to update the schedule 3 of the Constitution with new political map issued by the government.
As per the Constitution provision, a clear two-thirds majority with 184 votes is required for the amendment of the Constitution. But the Bill witnessed no opposition, except for Sarita Giri of Janta Samjwadi Party Nepal. Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota said all 258 votes were cast in favour of the amendment. An amendment proposal registered by lawmaker Sarita Giri was rejected.
House of Representatives has 275 members in total. According to the Parliament Secretariat, 12 lawmakers were absent on the historic day. Amrita Devi Agrahari, Gopal Bahadur Bam, Dularidevi Khatwini, Dhan Bahadur Budha, Nagendra Kumar Chaudhary, Pramod Sah, Shiva Kumar Mandal, Sarita Giri, Surya Narayan Yadav, Surya Bahadur KC, Haribol Gajurel and Gyan Kumari Chhantyal were absent while lawmakers Resham Chaudhary, Mohummad Aaftab Alam, Harinarayan Chaudhary and Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar could not participate in the voting as they were suspended. Four of the absentees were of the ruling party.
Despite several disagreements with the government, opposition parties, including Nepali Congress (NC), Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal (RJP-N) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) stood in favour of the Constitution amendment.
“We forgot issues of disagreement with the government and favoured Constitution amendment to safeguard our territory; our lands in Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura has to be returned now,” they said in a single voice.
During the deliberations, Chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ said that the Nepali lands lost during the monarchy would be brought back now.
Likewise, Sher Bahadur Deuba, President of the main opposition party Nepali Congress (NC), said that Nepalis always stood together whenever there is a case of national sovereignty.
The NC President said, “Sugauli Treaty and all other historical documents prove that Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura belong to Nepal.”
Senior leader of Janta Samajwadi Party-Nepal, Rajendra Mahato, said, “People from mountain, hill and the Terai are equally sensitive to the matter of national interest, territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
“Correcting the map in papers isn’t enough, the government should now focus on reclaiming the encroached lands through diplomatic channel,” he said.
He added that despite the reservations on the Constitution, his party fully supported the Constitution amendment bill.
“Nationality isn’t defined by class, caste or geographical differences. It belongs to all Nepalis,” he said. “The people of Tarai have always guarded Nepal’s borders like an army.” He also asked why the Mahakali Treaty was signed and demanded issuance of an white paper for signing the anti-national agreement 25 years ago.
Moreover, Upendra Yadav, Chairman of Janata Samajhwadi Party stressed on solving the Nepal-India border issue by both the nations via skillful deliberations.
He said that his party collectively supported the Constitution amendment bill.
Speaking on the subject of Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura, Yadav said “The government must acknowledge the mistake in Mahakali Treaty.”
Territorial dispute between Nepal and India came to surface after India issued its political map, including the lands of Lipulek, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani in November last year.
Initially, Nepal objected to India’s unilateral move of issuing the map. India further constructed a road in Nepali land and inaugurated it even though Nepal had objected to the map, prompting the government to strongly object to the latest move of India.
As per the Sugauli Treaty (1816), all the territories east of the Kali (Mahakali) river including Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani belong to Nepal. But India has been occupying the area since 1962.
(People’s Review Print Edition)
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