Constitution Day: DSP to stage protest, JSP to remain silent

KATHMANDU: One of the two parties who have put forth the agenda of the constitution amendment is all set to organize programs of protest while another has decided to remain silent on the issue. 

Nepal observes Constitution Day on Asoj 3 (Sept 19, this year) to commemorate the day when the Constituent Assembly (CA) promulgated the Constitution of Nepal on September 20 in  2015. The Madhes-based parties, however, mark it as the ‘black day’ citing the concerns of the Madhesi people have not been incorporated in the constitution. 

The Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) led by Mahantha Thakur is preparing to mark the day as the ‘black day’ citing their demands can not be addressed unless the constitution is amended. 

After the formation of Janata Samajbady Party (JSP) following the merger between the erstwhile Samajbadi Party [led by Upendra Yadav] and Rastriya Janata Party [led by Mahantha Thakur] last year, the leaders were divided in two lines --- whether or not to term the Constitution Day as the ‘black day. 

However, the JSP suffered a formal split on August 25 and the Thakur faction formed a new party named  DSP. The new party is preparing to stage various programs of protest to object to the constitution and raise voices for immediate amendment as per its demand. 

The DSP has issued a circular to the subordinate committees to mark September 19 as the black day. Through an internal circular issued on Wednesday, party Chairman Thakur directed the district coordinators to hold protest rallies, mass assemblies and blackouts on the day. 

The JSP, on the other hand, has decided to remain silent on the day. The party is leading the provincial government in Province 2 and is one of the coalition partners of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led federal government. The Upendra Yadav-led party is also preparing to join the Deuba Cabinet in the next few days. 

A JSP leader and Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut has not attended any formal program to mark Constitution Day ever since he assumed office in February 2018.