NRNA divided over filing of case against the government

KATHMANDU, November 28: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) is divided over the filing of a case against the Government of Nepal. Some NRNA office bearers, founders and patrons have described the case filing as 'inappropriate'.

A case has been filed on Friday in the Patan High Court against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over its latest directive to halt the 10th NRN Global Conference and NRNA International General Assembly following complaints about irregularities in the process for the Assembly. Sitting NRNA President Kumar Panta has directed the filing of the case. "Court cases have been a never ending process.

This breaks the institution. So the dispute revolving the NRNA should be resolved from within. We ourselves have set up this institution. It is inappropriate to reach out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or file a case," said the NRNA patron Ram Pratap Thapa. Commenting on the matter, the NRNA Europe Regional Coordinator, Narayan Acharya said that the NRNA has not taken any decision to this effect and its President Panta does not have any mandate to move court against the Ministry.

"Anyone can move a court at personal level. This is their right. But filing a case against the Government of Nepal by spending thousands of rupees collected from NRNA membership is not in the welfare of the institution.

We will present in the court against this move if need be." Before this, a majority of the office-bearers of NRNA International Executive Secretariat (IES) had suggested Panta not to sue the Nepal government. In a letter written to NRNA president Panta, vice-president Mana KC suggested him to obey the Foreign Ministry's directive. "We have been keeping equidistance with the Government of Nepal whichever party might be leading it.

We have collaborated with the government during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic as well. So, we should not opt for conflict with the Government of Nepal, nor do we have that mandate. If any such decision is needed, it requires the full mandate of all the registered members or of two-thirds registered members," KC said. Similarly, ICC vice-president Sonam Lama suggested for collaboration with the Nepal government and not to go for filing case against it. Joint-treasurer Lok Dahal also sent a letter to Panta, urging him not to go for court battle against the government and to work keeping in mind the welfare of hundreds of thousands of non-resident Nepalis at a time when the NRNA is going through a difficult turn in its entire history.

NRNA secretary RK Sharma also cautioned the NRNA leadership against increasing distance with the government in the adverse situation that has obtained within the NRNA. "Whatever decision the court gives, our differences will only increase. The court is not the solution. Even the god has weaknesses," he said. NRNA Asia Pacific Region coordinator Govinda Shrestha, joint-coordinator Khagendra Neupane, Middle-east Region coordinator Pravin Gurung, joint-coordinator Manoj Gorkhali, youth coordinator Raj Regmi, among other officials have also advised the NRNA leadership not to go for court battle with the government when the Association is going through a difficult time ever in its history.