Nepal: Thousands of Nepalis flood streets demanding scrapping of ‘Guthi Bill’

Jun 19, 2019

Kathmandu (Nepal), June 19 (ANI): Thousands of people have gathered in Nepal demanding the government to scrap the controversial Guthi Bill. The Nepal government in April tabled a bill through the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation at Upper House which proposes consolidation of all acts and amendments related to ‘Guthis’. But the bill which came out without consultation and proper discussion with concerned parties has made people spill onto the streets. Local residents of Kathmandu Valley, especially the Newar Community who have serious dissatisfaction over the bill, are carrying out continuous protests, mass meetings and rallies since June 9. They claim the bill will strip them off their rights of continuing the culture that has been followed for a long time. It might also result in extinction of various age-old culture and traditions. With the rage against the controversial bill rising, the protest also has got support from member of other groups who grew up in Newari culture. The Ministry for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation which had tabled the bill withdrew it on Tuesday but still failed to win the trust of the natives of Kathmandu valley. The protest involved participation in thousands, with people raising slogans against the incumbent government led by KP Sharma Oli.