Former Prime Minister and Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) leader Jhalanath Khanal has insisted on the need of being mindful of national interest while amending the Citizenship Act.
“No citizen of Nepal shall be deprived of citizenship and no criteria regarding it shall be violated,” was the main spirit of the Constitution, he said, adding that the Act should be amended accordingly.
He was sharing his opinion at a program organized by an Agitation Coordination Committee against the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
CPN (ML) general secretary CP Mainali was of the view that nationality, independence and sovereignty of the country could be seriously jeopardized if the Act was amended without consideration.
The government has already presented a bill to amend the Citizenship Act- 2006 and the committee demands the careful consideration while granting the Nepali citizenship to foreign nationals.
As per the Act, foreign nationals meeting the criteria set by the law may apply for the Nepali citizenship under certain types. The committee demanded the mandatory provision of acquiring a work permit by people from outside Nepal arriving here in connection to work. Such provision would help prevent people’s illegal entry into the country, the committee argued.
