Madhesi leader Sarita Giri demands Nepal adopt new name

KATHMANDU, MAY 11 –

In an 'extreme demand' of its kind registered in the Constituent Assembly so far, Sadbhawna Party (Anandidevi) lawmaker Sarita Giri has insisted that the new constitution should give a new name to the country.

In a proposal registered at the Constitutional Committee, she has demanded that the country be named as "Sagarmatha" instead of Nepal in the new constitution. She has floated name of the new statute as "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Sagarmatha."

Lawmakers from other parties took a serious exception to Giri's demand saying that it was an insult to the people and against the spirit of the Interim Constitution. UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Dharmashila Chapagain, CPN-UML lawmaker Bhim Rawal, Rastriya Janashakti Party lawmaker Prakash Chandra Lohani and Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party lawmaker Sunil Prajapati argued that the call for change of the country's name was 'highly objectionable.'

"We have suggested that the committee not entertain such an unconstitutional proposal. The constitution clearly stipulates that the name of our country is Nepal and that we cannot alter it," said Rawal. Such irresponsible demands, according to Rawal, could instigate other groups to demand names for new constitution as per their vested interests.

Posted on: 2012-05-11 03:00 at http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/05/11/top-story/giri-floats-new-name-for-country/353745.html