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Plight of Nepal
 The cover story “Citizenship Row” (SPOTLIGHT December 1) has shown how the new citizenship act could ultimately harm the national interest of Nepal . It is very hard for Nepal to resist the population pressure it feels especially from its southern neighbor. This kind of lax citizenship law will lead to influx of people from India submerging the genuine people of the country. It is a very sensitive subject and every sane Nepalese must be concerned with this new development.
Sangita Acharya
Ghattekula
Look at the Brighter Side
Apropos your cover story “Citizenship Row” (SPOTLIGHT December 1), I want to make a few points. First of all, the bogey of national disintegration that is so frequently raised whenever there is any talk of providing citizenship to Terai residents can be totally misleading. Yes of course, Nepal has genuine problems and fears regarding influx of people from other side of the border. But what have you done to your own people who have been living for centuries without recognition of their nationality. Will the perpetuation of this status-quo not lead to resentment among the people that can be misused by nefarious elements for the disintegration of the nation. In fact, not providing citizenship to genuine people could lead to disintegration of the nation. Nepal cannot remain integrated by mere wish of us Nepalese. We also have to demonstrate our willingness to integrate all our brothers and sentiments and pay respect to their sentiments. On the other issue of providing citizenship based on mothers’ name, I don’t understand the hue and cry. If a woman is a genuine Nepali citizen who is domiciled here, there is no reason for denying her the right to provide citizenship to her children on the basis of her name/descent. Anything less would just be considered as totally against the internally accepted and civilized practice of equal rights to all men and women. Let us not worry about these imaginary threats and, instead, be embroiled in another strife. If Nepal is to move ahead as an independent nation in the comity of nations, it will have to find out ways for sufficiently and satisfactorily addressing the genuine grievances of the people. Therefore, the new citizenship act could provide a cause for happiness among the neglected lot. So let us look at its brighter side.
Kailash Dhital
New Road
Citizenship Matters
Our leaders must be very careful in implementing the new citizenship act lest the country turn into Fiji (Citizenship Row, SPOTLIGHT December 1). The concerns expressed by so many people about the weaknesses of the new act must not be ignored. The government as well as the Maoists must speak up clearly what they want to do and how they will prevent foreigners from obtaining Nepalese citizenship.
Laxman KC
Manbhawan
Unwanted Controversy
Many people tend to think that Nepal will face huge influx of Indians if citizenship provisions are made lighter (Citizenship Row, SPOTLIGHT December 1). But that argument sounds hollow given the current situation in our region. Look at how India is marching ahead on the path of prosperity. Along with China , India is now being looked upon as new economic powerhouse of the world. Its citizens are earning more and living better lives. So what is the incentive for them to obtain citizenship of a poor and marginalized neighbor like Nepal ? I don’t think there would be influx of Indians as is feared by many.
Bidur Thapa
Sanepa
Mysterious Speed
The speed with which the parliament endorsed the new Citizenship Act is, indeed, mysterious (Citizenship Row, SPOTLIGHT December 1). The House of Representatives discussed and passed the bill on the single day. After the State Affairs Committee recommended the endorsement of the bill to the parliament, the MPs swiftly approved it. What more, the Speaker authenticated the bill the same day – turning it into an Act. Can anybody explain?
Shiva Gurung
Baluwatar
Sham Democracy
Your second editorial of december1, 2006 though it is praise worthy but seems like a mockery of history and facts. How mobocracy can be called a revolution (Jana andolan)? Recent developments in Nepal are calculated moves by India . I want to draw your attention to reports in Indian media when Sikkim was annexed. Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India , had clearly mentioned Indian policy towards Nepal at that time. When she had told reporters, “we will take Nepal not by bullets but by ballots.” How big a disgrace that there is not a single politicians who possesses the courage to defend the country’s interest in face of Indian challenge. The one and only exception has been proved by one man -- Narayan Man Bijukchhe that there is one nationalist at least. King Gyanendra too proved himself to be a dull nationalist.
Bampanthis of this country have proved themselves to be not bampanthis but bahunpanthis. They have irrefutably proved that they too are only power mongers? Why any so called revolutionary party is not ready to face the people and go to the polls? They want power without taking mandate of the people but want to remain in power in the name of so-called revolution? Is this democracy or the OUTCOME of so-called revolution?
B.M.Dixit
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