Kathmandu [Nepal], July 8 – Shram Sanskriti Party lawmaker Harka Sampang on Wednesday accused the government of attacking citizens’ freedom of expression, saying there was unequal enforcement of the law.
Speaking during a meeting of the House of Representatives, Sampang said the government’s conduct was fostering lawlessness instead of strengthening democracy and urged Parliament to take notice.
He questioned why people were arrested for insulting the prime minister while ministers faced no action for making threats.
“When we do not follow the rules in a democracy or when one group is required to follow them while another is not, I think this House is also gradually moving towards lawlessness. The Speaker must also be feeling this,” he said.
Sampang also questioned whether people should be arrested for insulting lawmakers just as they are for insulting the prime minister and ministers.
He said two individuals had threatened to kill him and burn down his house. Although he reported the matter to the Cyber Bureau, he said he did not believe those individuals had been arrested.
“Does this mean supporters are free to say anything they want?” he asked.
Referring to what he described as inconsistent enforcement, Sampang said a young man had been detained for allegedly insulting the prime minister but questioned why no action had been taken against a minister who threatened to break a contractor’s legs or against a lawmaker who threatened to drag police officers onto the street.
“How long will the powerful enjoy impunity while the weak face the law? What should we now call democracy and what should we call lawlessness? That is the question. A citizen should be given a chance to correct their mistakes,” he said.
This comes after a YouTuber Roshan Pokharel who used abusive language against Prime Minister Balen Shah has been remanded in custody pending trial.
Pokharel was arrested on April 10 after posting videos on YouTube containing insults and abusive language directed at Prime Minister Shah and various other leaders.
