Kathmandu, July 4
Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has clarified that the government has not deprived people of their right to protest. He, however, says medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC is turning himself authoritarian by demanding that everything should be done as he wished.
After opposition lawmakers protested the government decision to restrict demonstrators from various places of Kathmandu Valley including Maitighar Mandala, Home Minister Thapa said during the Parliament meeting today that some specific places have been selected for demonstrations so that they would not affect rights of others.
Dr KC could also stage hunger strike anywhere but not hospital premises as it would affect smooth functioning of the health facilities, he added.
“Staging protests in very sensitive places like hospitals and road junctions creates a chaos. So, why don’t you choose other places,” he said, “We do not consider such activities democratic.”
He added that no one should revolt against the government now as it does not consist of anti-nationalist forces. He was of the view that protesting activities of a democratic government would mean protesting democracy itself.
