Kathmandu. Minister for Industry, Tourism, Labour and Transport of Bagmati Province Rajendra Prajapati has said that the society should be active for the protection of religion, culture and traditions.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Religious and Cultural Journalism Award and the Endowment Fund organized for the institutional development of religious and cultural journalism here today, Minister Prajapati said that the protection of religion and culture is possible only when the society embraces religion. He said that although he was not very knowledgeable about religious subjects, he had come up in a religious and cultural environment and entered politics with the intention of preserving Vedic Sanatani religion and culture.
“What I have given is more important than what I have done,” he said, “Although I have not been able to give anything till date, I am confident that I can contribute something now.” Minister Prajapati said that a generation that adopts and protects the physical infrastructure is necessary for the protection of religion and culture.
He said that although budget is demanded for the construction of the temple, such structures have no relevance as there is no community to worship and continue the rituals. Speaking about religious tolerance, he said that there should be a sense of respect for all religions.
He said he had seen abusive behaviour and false propaganda against other religions during his association with different religious communities.
“We are not against any religion. It is our belief that all religions and castes should be respected equally,” he said. He clarified that although the Vedic Sanatani Hindu religion and culture should be protected, it does not mean standing in favour of a Hindu state.
Stating that he was born and brought up in the Newar community and Jyapu culture, Minister Prajapati said that the Newar community has an important contribution to the preservation of Sanatani religion, culture and tradition. He said that the continuity of tradition and culture has become a challenge as the number of youths going abroad has increased in recent period.
‘Our children are not in a position to stay here. Who will follow our culture when all the children go abroad?’ he asked. He stressed that an environment should be created so that the next generation can continue religion, culture and traditions.
Minister Prajapati complained that the province has not been given enough powers even though it has been a long time since the Bagmati Province government was formed. He said that the tourism sector was under the control of the federal government and only limited powers were given to the provincial government.
“If the structure is not given powers, why should it be maintained?” he asked. He said that the federal government is interfering with the province and the province should be empowered.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the working style of the federal government on the issue of transport management. He claimed that there was a technical problem while taking the software related to driving license operated by the Bagmati Province and expanding it to other provinces. He said that there were problems in the software such as the difference in the revenue amount, the name of the service recipient appeared incorrectly and the form filled in one province was seen in another province. He said that he has also received information that the wrong name has been found on the international number plate and it needs to be investigated. He said that due to such technical problems, the service seekers could vent their anger on the employees of the transport office and he should take responsibility as the concerned minister of the state government.
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