Admired as a living martyr, Kayastha has been bed-ridden since he was shot in the temple by police during the second people´s movement that toppled the monarchy and paved way for a new republican Nepal.[break]
Locals of Kavre had asked almost all successive governments, formed after the April uprising, to formally declare Mukesh as ´a living martyr´. However, all governments turned down their demand on the pretext of absence of such practice nationally or internationally.
"We took the initiative to establish an academy in his honor after all successive governments refused to acknowledge Mukesh as a living martyr," said Mohan Duwal, chief program coordinator of the academy that was inaugurated by the artiste duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya on Saturday.
According to Duwal, families of those who were martyred and injured across the country during the people´s movements will be made members of the academy.
"The main objective of the academy is to work for peace, democracy and human rights," Duwal told Republica, adding, "The academy will not discriminate against anybody for political, religious or racial reasons."
Mukesh had just finished grade eighth exams at Bidya Sagar Boarding School in Banepa when he was hit by a bullet fired by the police. He has not been able to walk or speak ever since. He was just 15 years old when he was shot.
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