Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - The new constitution of Nepal should "accept the message of integration and the invitation to build bridges and promote a culture of encounter" launched yesterday by Pope Francis on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This is according to some Nepalese politicians - including a former Maoist - involved in the drafting of the first democratic Constitution, after centuries of absolute monarchy Hindu.
"Even if the Pope referred directly to
the division of Germany - Pushpakamal
Dahal, chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Ucpnm, Maoist) told
AsiaNews - his message is equally important in the
context of Nepal. No one should be divided and treated in a separate way"
"Every religion, ethnicity,
practice, culture, tradition and social
difference must be guaranteed equal
and fair treatment." The Maoist party, Dahal
added, "is united with the Pope in wishing to 'bring down all the
walls that still divide the world'".
"The Pope's message for
national integration, respect, unity and
harmony - said Ramchandra Poudel, vice president of the Nepali Congress
(the government) - is laudable and relevant
to our case".
This is echoed by Jhalanath Khanal, former Prime Minister and leader of
the Communist Party of Nepal
(Unified Marxist-Leninist, UML): "In the words of Pope Francis we 'need
bridges, not walls' to unite people. Therefore, we
are writing a new Constitution
according to the values he hoped for".