KATHMANDU: Gyanendra Shahi, parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, has launched a strong criticism against the government and the Prime Minister, raising questions over alleged insensitivity in state actions and governance.
Speaking in Parliament, Shahi said the state has failed to ensure citizens’ right to live with dignity, accusing authorities of siding with the powerful while ignoring the vulnerable.
He questioned recent eviction and demolition drives, particularly highlighting the impact on vulnerable groups such as new mothers and informal settlers.
“We come from rural struggle. There is always a smile in that struggle. The state should not always stand on the side of the powerful,” Shahi said. “What would a 10-day postpartum mother living on the banks of the Bagmati feel when police enter her shelter and demolish her house?”
He clarified that he does not oppose the management of unplanned settlements but stressed that development should not come at the cost of humanitarian values.
“I am not against removing unmanaged settlements,” he said. “But development cannot be done by running bulldozers over human sensitivity.”
Shahi further challenged government ministers, asking whether they themselves could vacate their homes within 24 hours under similar conditions.
He also alleged that there were reports involving illegal settlements linked to members of the Council of Ministers and questioned why no investigation had been initiated into such claims.
The RPP leader urged the government to prioritize humane governance and ensure that state actions do not undermine citizens’ dignity and basic rights.
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