KATHMANDU: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has clarified that the report published by the Office of International Religious Freedom, United States Department of State, contains baseless allegations against the RPP.
Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden in a letter addressed to the US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean Thompson, clarified that the part stands by its conviction for democracy, human rights, constitutional monarchy as the guardian of the nation, and a Hindu state with equal respect and freedom for all religions.
“The Nepal 2022 International Religious Freedom Report, published by the United States Department of State, Office of International Religious Freedom has drawn our serious attention.”
“The report contains baseless allegations against the RPP,” Chairman Lingden said.
It may be noted that the report, attributing civil society leaders, alleges “influence from India’s ruling party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and other Hindu groups in India continued to pressure politicians in Nepal, particularly the RPP, to support a revision to a Hindu state.”
“RPP is a nationalist, democratic party established in Nepal by Nepali citizens. We are a center-right party and draw our strength from the Nepali people. We promote good governance, development and economic prosperity, and call for a two-tier system involving a central government and all empowered local level,” RPP Chairman said.
RPP Chairman Lingden said, “The report does not clarify who the civil society leaders are. The said civil society leaders in turn present no substantive evidence to back the allegation.”
“The report moreover fails to seek any view or clarification from the RPP. The report, hence, reflects a one-sided bias and comes short in presenting a balanced, credible and trustworthy reality, if not the whole truth per se,” the letter added.
The letter also stated that the RPP does not entertain any kind of external interference and monetary support whatsoever.
“Let me emphasize, the US has been a longstanding friend of Nepal, and as a friendly country the RPP holds the US and the American people in high esteem and admiration,” Lingden said, adding, “However, the sweeping allegations carried in the report tends to tarnish our image and we are deeply hurt given the consequences. We hereby urge and call upon the United States Department of State to revisit and set right the shortfalls of the report.”
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