Kathmandu, June 28
Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa says medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC is turning authoritarian by demanding that he be allowed to stage demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala, but not other places.
In April, the Kathmandu District Administration Office had prohibited demonstrations in the area along with few other places. The Office had instead fixed seven other open spaces for protests and demonstration programmes.
However, Dr KC among others had protested the decision, forcing the government to postpone its implementation till the next notice.
Now, the government is implementing the decision from July 17. But, Dr KC has again demanded that the decision be withdrawn as protesting is people’s fundamental right.
But, at a press conference organised at the Ministry today, Thapa said, “Demanding that I be allowed to stage protest at that very place, but not anywhere is also a form of authoritarianism. There are thousands of places open, but why does not he want to use them?”
The Minister argued that demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala would obstruct vehicular movement in the city, thereby affecting people’s basic rights.
“This government is the government of people’s representatives. If he represents citizens, we also represents citizens,” he warned, “We do not consider any activities against policies and rules as democracy.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry also announced lists of particular places to stage demonstrations in Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.
