NRNA should be apolitical organisation: Gagan Thapa

Kathmandu, Apr. 25

General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, Gagan Kumar Thapa, called for an inclusive unity convention to resolve the ongoing disputes within the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

During a meeting with a delegation led by NRNA President Dr. Badri KC in Kathmandu on Friday, Thapa stressed that any unity efforts must be genuinely aimed at reconciliation and should include all stakeholders without exception.

“I have observed the NRNA since its inception. It must remain apolitical and free from partisan influence,” Thapa said.

Regarding the Non-Resident Nepali Act, Thapa noted that amendments to some related laws were also necessary, the NRNA informed in a statement.

He informed the delegation that he had submitted suggestions to the relevant parliamentary committee to advance these changes. He also urged the NRNA to present a draft proposal from its side, adding, “We will work towards completing the process in the upcoming parliamentary[U1]  session.”

Dr. KC expressed concerns that despite the introduction of NRN citizenship 18 months ago, full implementation has yet to occur. He said that this delay has hindered non-resident Nepalis from exercising their constitutional economic, social and cultural rights.

“We may be far from the country and unable to protest on the streets, but that doesn't mean we aren't suffering. The very citizenship granted by the government is not being recognised by it,” he said.

Dr. KC also criticised the provision in the ordinance that exempts NRNs from visa fees for 10 years, calling it unfair. “Citizenship and visa are not separate issues, yet the ordinance limits the provision to only ten years. While other countries have broader legal frameworks, ours has become more restrictive. This has created obstacles for investment, engagement of second-generation NRNs and cultural exchange,” he said.

He further mentioned that the revised Non-Resident Nepali Act is currently under review at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and urged that the act be tabled in Parliament and passed at the earliest.

Likewise, Vice President of the NRNA, Dr. Hemraj Sharma, said, “The MoFA has already issued correspondence to postpone the general convention. However, the Shesh Ghale faction refuses to recognise the 11^th Executive Committee. There has been no National Coordination Centre (NCC) election, and membership has not been issued as per the statute.”

When General Secretary Thapa asked whether the issue could be resolved in court, both President KC and Vice President Sharma confirmed that the Supreme Court had requested case files from all parties involved and that the matter is currently under review.

Speaking on the evolving draft of the Act, Dr Sharma said, “We were consulted in the initial stages, but not anymore. The definition of a non-resident Nepali has also been altered. While political parties seem supportive, the draft still requires significant revisions.”

Similarly, founding member Ram Pratap Thapa said he distanced himself from the high-level committee after it began taking unilateral actions without adhering to established policies or statutes. “The Supreme Court instructed us to work towards unification, but a small group is now proceeding without any proper process or consensus. Can such an arbitrary and authoritarian committee truly hold a unity convention? If such illegitimate actions continue, the global credibility of the NRNA will be at risk,” he said.

Vice President Rojina Pradhan Rai also stated her belief that the organisation should not be politicised.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 26 April 2025.