KATHMANDU: A young woman, Roshani Dhami from Bajhang’s Bungal, has been on a hunger strike at Maitighar Mandala for the past 17 days, demanding action against Nepal Communist Party (UML) leader Ain Mahar.
Dhami has accused Mahar of sexual assault and is protesting the lack of legal action in her case.
Despite filing a complaint of sexual assault, the police allegedly refused to register it, prompting Dhami to approach the District Government Attorney’s Office.
However, the office decided to merely record the complaint, leading Dhami to escalate the matter by appealing to the High Court in Patan, seeking Mahar’s arrest and further investigation.
On December 21, the High Court issued a directive against Mahar. Since then Dhami has been staging her hunger strike in response to the delayed justice.
She has been questioning the government’s failure to provide justice and expressing outrage over what she perceives as impunity for political figures accused of such crimes.
“I seek justice, or the government must take responsibility for my death. It is not my choice to protest on the streets, but I have no other option. When will the judiciary become sensitive to rape victims?” questions Dhami.
Dhami voiced these concerns through her slogans, also calling for an end to police brutality against victims.
Recently, Dhami was attacked by a group of youths at Maitighar Mandala, an incident she has demanded action for.
Mahara, who had earlier filed a counter-complaint accusing Dhami of honey-trapping (criminal exploitation), has come under heavy scrutiny for alleged abuse of political power.
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