Resham Chaudhary asks Gagan Thapa: Why was religion exchanged for a republic?

KATHMANDU: Resham Chaudhary, founding chairperson of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, has questioned Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa over why religion was “exchanged” for a republic.

Delivering a goodwill speech at the Nepali Congress’ 15th General Convention on Sunday, Chaudhary raised the question while recalling the 19-day movement that led to the establishment of the republic.

“Gagan ji, we also faced batons and water cannons during the movement. We brought a republic through the 19-day movement, chanting ‘Long live the Nepali Congress,’ ‘Long live our Nepal’ and ‘Long live the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.’ But Gagan ji, why was my religion exchanged for a republic during that 19-day movement?” Chaudhary asked.

He said nothing should be exchanged for or compromised with their identity.

Chaudhary also questioned when they would receive the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

“All rights have been written in the Constitution, the rights of everyone have been written, but they were not delivered, Gagan ji,” he said. “When will we get our rights, Gagan ji? When will the Tharu community, which accounts for 6.7 percent of Nepal’s population according to the Constitution, reach the seats of power? When will we have a Tharu army chief? When will we have a Tharu chief justice? When will we have a Tharu chief secretary?”