New Delhi: Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has said that the highest measure of democracy was the maximum participation of the toiling masses in the state, not the extent of freedom or equality.
Bhattarai, who is on a four-day visit to India, said: "The highest measure of democracy is neither the extent of freedom nor the extent of equality but the highest measure of participation. How much the real toiling mass of the people can participate in the state? That is the measure of democracy, not what formal equality is provided for formal freedom, you write in the Constitution or in law. So, I think this is big challenge for us."
He further urged the people of India and Nepal to unite, as both the countries are fighting against injustice, domination and fighting for liberation of the masses from exploitation.
"People of India and Nepal have to unite. Our destiny is the same. We both are fighting against injustice, domination and we are fighting for liberation of the mass of the people. Even some people will try to create cleavage between us but we will have to be careful about that," added Bhattarai.
He also said he would continue to struggle against exploitation-domination and all form of repression.
"If the people of both countries unite, no force on the earth can defeat us. This is my belief. Not only as a Prime Minister but as a person, as a human being, I promise you, we wouldn`t do anything against basic interest of the mass of the people. We will keep on struggling for the total liberation from exploitation-domination, all form of repression -- whether it be on class basis, be on the caste basis, be on the gender basis," said Bhattarai.
This is Dr Bhattarai`s first to official visit to India, after taking charge as the Nepal Prime Minister.
Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and Dr Bhattarai had earlier met on the margins of the 66th UNGA in New York on September 24.
ANI
