KATHMANDU, Dec 1: The government's constitution amendment bill registered in parliament with a proposal to hive off all the hill districts from Province 5 has met with widespread criticism on the social media.
People from various walks of life took to Facebook and Twitter to criticize the amendment bill, especially the proposal in the bill to leave only six districts, namely Nawalparasi (west of Susta Bardaghat), Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Dang, Banke and Bardiya in Province 5 by taking out the six hill districts of Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, Rukum, Rolpa and Pyuthan. Province 5 was trending on Twitter Wednesday.
Arbind Singh (@comradearbind) tweeted that the proposal to take out all the hill districts from Province 5 and create another separate Madhesi province is an attempt to surrender to India. He has opined that endorsement of the bill from the parliament will led to "sikimization" of Nepal.
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Likewise, another twitter user Rosy Shrestha (?@rosestha1) tweeted that, "The PM said that it's against nation's welfare to protest about Province 5, Really? We have a feeling that u are against our nation's welfare."
Mahendra Rayamajhi (?@mahenrayamajhi) tweeted, "Even peaceful village opinion leaders are angry with the latest plans. Province 5."
Ram Kumari Jhakri, CPN-UML youth leader, also tweeted that endorsement of the bill would gradually alienate hill from the Terai. She said that taking out hill districts from Province 5 is the first attempt toward the alienation. "In the next move, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Kailali and Kanchanpur will be separate," she tweeted.
Likewise, Sagar (@segersagar) tweeted, "17 districts in province 4 and 6 districts in province 5. Is this how we imagined federalism? #BackOffPrachanda."
Sulav Karki (?@SulavKarki) tweeted asking the prime minister to withdraw the amendment bill. "PM Prachanda should withdraw this amendment to split Province 5 period...other amendments can be discussed and passed if necessary…" he tweeted.
Surya Raj Acharya tweeted, "Suggestion to CPN-UML: Protest against the amendment bill. Follow Parliamentary Practice; Abstain from banda and vandalism; Exhibit responsible behavior; Even if the amendment bill is endorsed, the sky will not fall."
Sabita Acharya (@AcSabita) tweeted, "Some people are using the country as their personal property. The move to take out hill districts will for sure lead the country into disintegration. It's good to be cautious before it's too late."
Similarly, people also took to Facebook to vent their dissatisfaction over the amendment proposal. Chandra Bhandari, a leader of the ruling Nepali Congress, took to Facebook and criticize the bill.
