Kathmandu [Nepal], August 6 – Nepal’s House of Representatives is preparing to prohibit lawmakers from wearing dark sunglasses during parliamentary sittings following growing public criticism over the practice.
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal raised the issue during a meeting of the House Business Advisory Committee on Wednesday urging chief whips and whips of all political parties to instruct their lawmakers not to attend parliamentary sessions wearing dark sunglasses.
According to participants, Aryal said the proposed restriction was prompted by widespread public concern arguing that the issue was linked to the dignity and decorum of Parliament.
Chief Whip of the opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) Yubaraj Dulal, said the Speaker asked all parties to circulate the instruction among their parliamentary members.
The issue also sparked debate during the meeting, with opposition leaders pointing out that Prime Minister Balen Shah, several cabinet ministers and many lawmakers from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have frequently worn dark sunglasses inside the chamber.
Aryal subsequently requested RSP Whip Prakash Chandra Pariyar to convey the concern to the prime minister, government ministers and the party’s lawmakers.
Under the House regulations, lawmakers’ dress code is determined by the Speaker after consultation with the House Business Advisory Committee. Opposition lawmakers also called for clearer standards on parliamentary attire to uphold the institution’s dignity.
