Kathmandu, 8 May 2024
We, the undersigned, hereby register our strong objection to the public pronouncements of Presidential Advisor Chiranjeevi Nepal against the decision of the Government to print new hundred-rupee notes with the map of Nepal as per the amended Constitution. While speaking to national and international media on the matter, Mr. Nepal has gone against national interest and breached decorum, whereas the Government deciding not to include the amended map would have amounted to national betrayal for backing away from claims upon disputed territory.
Mr. Nepal told the Desh Sanchar portal on 5 May 2024, “‘The decision of the government has come at the most inappropriate time and without thinking of its larger implications.” The following day, speaking to BBC Nepali Service, the presidential advisor described the decision to allow the Nepal Rastra Bank to use the map from the amended Constitution as an “irresponsible diversion” and made further problematic comments about sovereignty.
The irresponsible public comments of Mr. Nepal have damaged the propriety and position of Nepal’s constitutional head-of-state. Given that the Office of the President has been silent on the matter, we are forced to consider that Mr. Nepal is speaking on behalf of President Ram Chandra Poudel when he describes the Government’s decision as being “against international values” and “unwise”.
In order to keep the position of the President of the Republic above controversy, we demand an immediate retraction from the Office of the President and the removal of Chiranjeevi Nepal from his responsibilities as advisor.
Signatories:
- Nilamber Acharya, Former Minister and Ambassador to India
- Suryanath Upadhyay, Former Head, Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority
- Sushil Pyakurel, Former Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission
- Kanak Mani Dixit, Writer/Journalist
DOWNLOAD:Citizens Statement_8 May 2024