UML members asked to don nat’l dress

KATHMANDU, JAN 20 -
Lawmakers from the CPN-UML will wear a uniform look in terms of dress while attending meetings of the Constituent Assembly.

Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal has instructed them to wear the national dress—daura suruwal and bhadgaunle topi for males and gunyu choli for females.

Lawmakers are instructed to follow the dress code during their swearing-in on Tuesday. The UML has a total of 175 CA members.

Party leaders reason that the move was intended to convey a message of national unity and identity to the public. The dress code, according to party leaders, is mandatory for lawmakers from Chhetri-Bahun communities while those from indigenous nationalities can wear a dress of their choice.

Following verbal instruction from the party chief, lawmakers are said to be arranging for the dress. “I bought two pairs of daura suruwal today,” said UML lawmaker Gokul Gharti.

In the pervious Assembly, no party required their lawmakers to attend a meeting donning a national dress.

The law defines daura suruwal as the national dress. But the issue was challenged in Supreme Court some three years ago stating that it is against multiculturalism. The apex court, however, upheld the provision that daura suruwal is the national dress.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal has also asked its lawmakers to wear the national dress in the Assembly. Janajati lawmakers, however, will be allowed to wear their traditional costumes.

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