KATHMANDU: The first meeting of the newly elected House of Representatives convened on Thursday at the new Parliament building in Singha Durbar, chaired by senior-most member Arjun Narsingh KC.
Proceedings were disrupted immediately after the session began, as lawmakers from the CPN-UML stood up in protest. During the demonstration, UML lawmaker Guru Baral accused the government of violating fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Baral cited constitutional provisions ensuring the right to live with dignity, freedom, and equality, arguing that these rights are being undermined in the current political climate. He alleged that former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak have been detained through misuse of criminal procedures.
He also accused the government of suppressing peaceful protests across the country, including in Kathmandu, and raised concerns over alleged police violence against UML lawmakers Sajid Siddiqui and Bishnumaya BK, who he said were seriously injured. Baral demanded an investigation into the incidents and action against those responsible.
The lawmaker further referred to an attack at the UML district office in Surkhet, where several leaders, including the district chairs, were reportedly assaulted and injured. He claimed that democratic values have come under threat since the rise of the Rastriya Swatantra Party-led government.
Baral called for the immediate release of Oli and Lekhak, a fair probe into attacks on lawmakers, and an end to what he described as selective action over the September 8, 2025, incident. He also criticized the Gauri Bahadur Karki-led probe commission for allegedly ignoring developments from September 9, 2025, accusing both the commission and the government of bias.
UML lawmakers continued their protest, demanding protection of constitutional rights, adherence to democratic norms, and an end to political vendetta—signaling rising tensions from the very first day of the new parliamentary term.
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