The Himalayan nation of Nepal on Sunday adopted its first democratic secular constitution nearly eight years after it became a secular democratic republic. President Ram Baran Yadav declared the promulgation of country's first full fledge Constitution on Sept. 20 in a special gathering of the Constituent Assembly.
"I announce, before Nepali people, that the Nepal's Constitution, endorsed by Constituent Assembly (CA), authenticated by CA chairman and presented here, has commenced today - Sept. 20, 2015," Ram Baran Yadav announced Sunday, according to Himalayan Times.
"Endorsed by people's representatives, this constitution is the document of our common commitment for protecting freedom, geographic integrity, independence and sovereignty vested in people," Yadav said in his address to Constituent Assembly.
Nepalese citizens celebrated the historic moments with firecrackers and lighting lamps across the country, according to Indo Asian News Service.
Representatives from Madheshis parties, however, opposed the new constitution, calling it a farce, according to Indian Express. At least one person was killed and several others injured when Madheshi protestors clashed with riot police in the Burganj area bordering India. The protestors said the new constitution denied them their rights.
India also expressed concern over the "violent" situation in several parts of Nepal bordering India.
"We urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation, and institutionalized in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement, according to The Hindu.
