Civil activists declare mass movement against parliament dissolution

Published On: December 24, 2020 12:07 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Dec 24: A group of civil society activists has announced a mass civil movement considering the impending constitutional crisis that the country may face after the dissolution of parliament by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

A number of decisions were announced by organizing a program of intellectuals, writers, poets, artists and citizens in Kathmandu. The decisions were made public in a press release on Thursday.

The group has stated that a situation of crisis has arisen in the country after the sudden dissolution of parliament by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Calling it a highly reactionary and unconstitutional move, they have strongly condemned the dissolution of parliament by the Prime Minister and the President's Office. They have termed the PM’s decision to dissolve parliament “unconstitutional and anti-people” which has given “a brutal twist to the journey toward regression.”

The group has demanded immediate invalidation of the unconstitutional and reactionary steps of the prime minister.

Concluding that the parties have also played a role in bringing regression and in pushing the masses into despair, the group has asked the parties to be accountable and “strongly protest against regression.” Deciding to hit the streets to resist this regression, the group has appealed to all to participate in the protests and fulfill their responsibility for the future of the country and the people.

“We have no direct interest in the internal tensions or power struggles of any political party. The main reason behind our protests is the attack on the constitution by those who are supposed to abide by it and defend the values of civil rights, political freedom and democracy gained after a long struggle,” the statement read.

Stating that the public health crisis is at its peak and the citizens are suffering because of the affected trade, business, agriculture and enterprise, the group has said that the move by Prime Minister Oli is not only reprehensible but also inhumane.

The group has appealed to everyone including Dalits, women, indigenous people, Madhesis, Tharus and all marginalized and deprived communities to resist “this regressive move by the government.”