नेपालमा मुस्लिम हरुको जग जगी - नेपाल भबिषय को अफ्गनिस्थान

Muslim body announces protest programmes

The Joint Muslim National Struggle Committee (JMNSC) Thursday announced a series of protest programmes demanding amendment in the Interim Constitution in order to give constitutional recognition to the distinct identity of Nepali Muslims.

Organising a press conference in the capital, struggle committee members said various protest programmes would be organised in the Kathmandu Valley and outside from today till March 28. The protest programmes include torch rallies in Kathmandu and Kathmandu Valley bandh (shutdown strike) on March 15.

Similar bandh will be organised in eastern region on March 22, western region on March 23, central region on March 25 and mid-western region on March 27.

Coordinator of the struggle committee, Taj Mohammad Miya, said stronger protest programmes would be launched if the government failed to meet their demands including correcting its decision to categorise Muslims -- along with Tharus and other janajati groups - as Madhesis.

He said Tharus and other agitating janajati groups have expressed solidarity to the protests programmes of Muslims. Other demands of the committee include proportional representation of Muslims in the state mechanism, fresh census and formation of National Muslim Commission. nepalnews.com mk Mar 12 09