Thapa rightly says republicanism, federalism and secularism are amendable

Bhrikuti Rai / July 1, 2016

Deputy PM and foreign minister Kamal Thapa.                                                              Photo: Youtube grab

On June 26, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal Kamal Thapa made the following statement about Nepal’s Constitution at RPP-N’s Morang district convention.

“None of the 300 or so articles in Nepal’s new constitution are immutable. Except for the article relating to Nepal’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity everything else can be changed. If people want, even republicanism and federalism can be changed and Hindu state can be restored by removing secularism.”

South Asia Check examined whether or not his statement is true.

Amendment to the constitution is mentioned in part 31 of the Constitution. Article 274 (1) states that “No amendment shall be made to this Constitution in manner to be prejudicial to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence of Nepal and sovereignty vested in the people.” So Kamal Thapa’s statement about Nepal’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty being immutable holds true.

The same article also states, “Subject to clause (1) and other Articles of this Constitution, a Bill to amend or repeal any Article of this Constitution may be introduced in either House of the Federal Parliament”.

Similarly, Article 275 is about provisions relating to referendum which states, “If a decision is made by a two-thirds majority of the total number of the then members of the Federal Parliament that it is necessary to hold a referendum with respect to any matter of national importance, decision on that matter may be taken by way of referendum”.

Since Nepal’s constitution has provisions to change the state’s governing system, federalism and secularism, Kamal Thapa’s statement that “If people want, even republicanism and federalism can be changed and Hindu state can be restored by removing secularism” is correct.

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