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Constitutional Concern Senior advocate Mukunda
Regmi expresses concern over the weakening of democratic practices By KESHAB POUDEL Senior advocate Mukunda Regmi is among
those citizens who are very concerned with contemporary political, constitutional and
other issues. As a constitutional expert, Regmi is a regular contributor of articles on
contemporary political issues. Regmi's interest in constitutional issues and political
debates is understandable, as he is one of the framers of present constitution and an
active member of the Nepali Congress party. Individuals have their own ways of
expressing their views on the social, political and constitutional challenges of the day.
Regmi is gifted with a special ability to convey the most serious subjects with great ease
to the common people. Despite his busy professional schedule, the senior advocate has
compiled previously published and unpublished articles in the form of a new book,
"Bigatka Abhibyakti Ra Bartamanka Anubhuti" (Expressions of the Pasts and
Experiences of the Present). Whenever constitutional and political
debates arise, Regmi has expressed his opinions through various newspapers. Whether it was
the ratification of the Mahakali Treaty on sharing water resources with India or the
dissolution of the House of Representatives, the role of the main opposition party or the
performance of the speaker, Regmi has not hesitated to speak his mind. Some of his
comments have provoked enduring controversies while others have drawn endless criticism.
In the process, he has encouraged informed debate, which is vital to the creation of an
alert citizenry. In this book, Regmi discusses such issues
as constitutional monarchy, Royal Nepalese Army, legislature, democracy and nationalism,
Nepali Congress, opposition in the parliament, law and legal professionals, human rights,
elections and incidents from his personal experience. Regmi's opinions on vital issues are
valuable not only because of his role in drafting the constitution but also because he has
been an astute observer of its implementation over the last 12 years. In two lengthy articles, Regmi discusses
the role of the Royal Nepalese Army and the constitutional provision on mobilizing it.
Written months before the mobilization of the Royal Nepalese Army to quell terrorism,
Regmi holds the view that the army can be deployed, like in other countries, to aid civil
authority. Regmi hails the historical role of the army and its institutional contributions
in the process of national integration. In another piece, he has critically
evaluated the decision of the Supreme Court on the citizenship amendment bill the royal
palace referred to the judiciary in response to extensive public debate. In particular, he
has questioned the constitutionality of the apex court's recommendation to the King. Apart from conveying cogent arguments in
favor of or against particular issues, the book allows readers to go back to the context
in which Regmi wrote his commentaries and opinions. As a prominent activist of the ruling
Nepali Congress, Regmi's writing reflects his abiding commitment to the cause of upholding
the underlying tenets of democracy and freedom. He provides incisive commentaries on
internal dissension and other issues within the ruling party that have become a prominent
feature of contemporary Nepalese politics. Regmi also relates a personal incident in
which some hooligans manhandled him. He has compiled news reports and commentaries
published about the affair. Nobody has attempted to nab the culprit. A sorry situation
indeed, but one that merits the attention of conscious citizens. Bigatka Abhibyakti Ra Bartamanka
Anubhuti |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
