CPI(M) slams Modi govt for 'arrogant intervention' in Nepal

New Delhi, Sept 23: CPI(M) today dubbed Nepal's adoption of a secular Constitution as a "historic occasion" even as it took potshots at the Narendra Modi government for its "arrogant intervention" to stall the process, which it said, has vitiated good neighbourly ties between the two nations.

In the editorial of party mouthpiece 'People's Democracy', former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat maintained that India's response to the development in Nepal also sends a "cautionary" message to other countries in South Asia to be wary of its "big brotherly" attitude.

He also accused the BJP government of giving "tacit support" to the majority Madhesi community in Nepal for its protest against adoption of the new Constitution. "The adoption of a federal, democratic and secular Constitution in Nepal is a historic occasion.

We congratulate all democratic forces for this significant achievement. "Modi government's arrogant intervention has only vitiated good neighbourly relations between the two countries.

It will also send a cautionary message to all other countries in South Asia to be wary of India's big brotherly attitude," Karat said.

Two days after the Nepal Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution, the BJP government had sent Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar to Kathmandu to meet top leaders there "in an attempt to stall the formal proclamation of the Constitution which took place on September 20", Karat claimed.

"There has often been a big brother attitude to Nepal on part of Indian ruling establishment. This has, however, been taken to new heights now with the callous disregard shown to Nepal's sovereign right to formulate the country's Constitution as per their own democratic process," he added.

Observing features of the Nepal Constitution, Karat said it has enunciated fundamental rights of citizens which are more wide-ranging than those provided vis-à-vis in Indian Constitution.

Welcoming introduction of the clause of Nepal being a secular nation, Karat said the tag has left Hindutva forces in India "outraged" and has "probably" contributed to "negative" stance taken by the Centre.

PTI