A group of academics, civil society members and littérateurs gathered in the Capital today to discuss the issue of nationality and called on the public to unite for the sake of the country.

The programme was organised taking exception to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s recent statement that ‘the key’ (to Nepali politics) lies somewhere else, said Bharat Basnet, an organiser of the event.

“The PM, talking to some journalists, made headlines a week ago by implicitly saying that foreign powers have a direct influence on the nation’s executive,” added Basnet.

Following rigorous discussions, participants pledged to wage a campaign to make the people aware of issues related to nationality. Journalists Chandra Kishor Jha, Gopal Khanal, Nepali Congress activist Ananda Santoshi Rai, Assistant Professor Hari Bahadur Bista, Phurba Tamang, writer Prakash A Raj, Professor Yagya Adhikari, advocate Bal Krishna Neupane were among the speakers who shed light on various aspects of national unity and sovereignty.

Peshal Niraula, lecturer at the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, underscored the need to respond to latest controversial statements coming from Indian academic SD Muni, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Chief Hermis Tharakan and former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Sharan on Nepal. “We want to build a common understanding among the people,” added Niraula.

During the programme, professor of Political Science Deepak Gajurel made a presentation on ‘Internal and external risks for Nepal’.

source: The Himalayan Times,11 August 2012