Prachanda Warns Deuba Against Moving Beyond Constitution on Religious Agenda

Dragon Media Correspondent

Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has cautioned Nepali Congress leader and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba against pursuing politics in a manner that departs from the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Addressing a Bagmati Province-level party programme on Tuesday, Prachanda referred to Deuba’s recent remarks on religion and said leaders who had played a role in drafting the Constitution should not make decisions or statements contrary to its spirit.

“If you move to the right or left of the Constitution, you yourself will be finished, and the country could also face an accident. Please do not make decisions or statements that contradict the Constitution you helped create,” Prachanda said.

Deuba, while addressing a national gathering organised by a faction within the Nepali Congress, had said that he was a Hindu and believed in Hinduism. He also said that he visited Pashupatinath Temple and worshipped there, arguing that individuals should be free to express and practise their religious beliefs.

At the same time, Deuba had made clear that he was not opposed to other religions. He said he respected Muslims, Kirats, Buddhists and followers of other faiths and supported religious freedom.

Responding to Deuba’s remarks and the broader debate over religion within the Congress gathering, Prachanda warned against moving away from the constitutional framework of secularism, saying such a shift could create political and constitutional complications.

Prachanda also criticised the current government, accusing it of acting contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, democracy and the existing political system.

He alleged that disorder and corruption had increased since the government led by Balen Shah came to power and accused the administration of placing pressure on the media and freedom of expression.

Calling on party leaders and cadres to politically resist what he described as the government’s wrongdoings, Prachanda instructed them to remain prepared for street protests if necessary.

He said defending democratic rights, press freedom and the Constitution remained among the NCP’s key political responsibilities and stressed the need for continued scrutiny of the government’s actions.