Ratopati Weekly Briefing (Nov 7-12): Crisis at SC worsens, NBA continues protests
We present to you the major issues and events that make headlines this week from Sunday to Friday.
1. Worsening stalemate at Supreme Court
Nepal’s Supreme Court (SC) has witnessed stalled judicial practices for the past two weeks. In a bid to ‘safeguard the apex court’s sanctity, the Nepal Bar Association (NBA), an umbrella organization of the legal practitioners has been staging continued protests asking the Chief Justice (CJ) Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana to step down and give a way out.
Rana’s fellow justices at the court are also seeking his resignation amid the reports that he [Rana] claimed a share in the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Cabinet.
CJ Rana was embroiled with controversies after he reportedly demanded a share in the incumbent Cabinet. Gajendra Hamal, a non-parliamentarian, was appointed the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies on ‘CJ’s quota’. Hamal, a Congress leader, however, stepped down as the minister after questions were raised over his ‘controversial appointment’.
The justices other than CJ Rana, who were boycotting all the benches assigned to them, however, began hearing the habeas corpus writ petitions amid the public outcry.
Though Rana has been assigning all sorts of cases, the justices have skipped all benches other than habeas corpus.
Meanwhile, a clash erupted between security personnel and agitating lawyers during a protest staged by the NBA on Thursday. Six advocates sustained injuries in the clash.
The NBA continued its protest on Friday as well. The lawyers staged a sit-in protest at the SC and attempted to stop CJ Rana from entering the Supreme Court. CJ Rana, however, made it to the court through an alternative gate. Escorted by security personnel, he entered the court at 10:52 AM skipping the sit-in protest staged by the lawyers.
2. Three Province Chiefs appointed
President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed the chiefs of three provinces --- Province 1, Karnali and Sudur Paschim--- at the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
A Cabinet meeting held on Monday picked new governors in Province 1, Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces.
With recent reshuffles, Parshuram Khapung has been named as the chief of Province 1. Similarly, Tilak Pariyar has been picked as the governor of Karnali and Devraj Joshi of Sudur Paschim Province.
The new province chiefs were administered the oaths of office of secrecy by President Bhandari on Thursday.
3. Bagmati CM Pandey wins confidence vote
Chief minister of Bagmati Province, Rajendra Pandey won a confidence motion from the provincial assembly on Monday.
In the 109-strong Bagmati Provincial Assembly, as many as 104 lawmakers were present during Monday’s voting on CM Pandey’s trust motion. Two lawmakers each belonging to the main opposition CPN-UML [Ganesh Dulal and Belimaiya Ghale] and Rastriya Prajatantra Party [Rita Majhi and Rina Gurung] were absent at Monday's meeting.
As many as 59 provincial assembly members expressed their confidence in Pandey while 43 members voted against his motion. Similarly, two members opted to stay neutral over the motion. Pandey was required to garner the support of at least 55 lawmakers to stay intact as the province’s executive head.
4. UML gears up preparation for 10th General Convention
The main opposition CPN-UML is holding its 10th National General Convention in Chitwan between November 26 and 28. The party held its First Statute Congress at Godawari, Lalitpur in October, earlier this year.
According to the party, as many as 1,999 delegates, to be elected from among 800,000 party members throughout the country on Saturday this week, will join the convention to elect the party’s leadership for the next five years.
Following the amendment in the party statute, the UML will elect 15 central office-bearers-- chairman, five vice-chairmen including a senior vice president, a general secretary, a deputy general secretary and seven secretaries.
5. Tihar, Chhath observed
Nepalis observed major festivals including Tihar [Deepawali], Nepal Sambat [Nepal Era] and Chhath. Tihar, a five-day festival concluded on Saturday, last week with sisters offering Tika to their brothers.
Also known as Yam Panchak, the festival is observed for five days. The first day of Yam Panchak is observed as Kaag Tihar by feeding crows, regarded as messengers in Nepali society. The second day is Kukur Tihar- the day is observed worshipping dogs. The third day is Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja worshipping cows and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day of Tihar is known as Goru Puja - worship of oxen.
Similarly, Nepal Sambat, an indigenous calendar of Nepal which marked the beginning of the year 1142, was also observed organizing various programs. Shankhadhar Sakhwa, who got national recognition posthumously from the Government of Nepal for his contribution during the Lichchhavi dynasty, founded Nepal Sambat after freeing citizens of the country from their debts. The New Year is being celebrated in commemoration of this day.
Meanwhile, the four-day Chhath festival was observed this week. People observe the festival by worshipping and making offerings to the rising and setting sun.
The Chhath festival, observed as a common cultural symbol of the Tarai, is dedicated to the Sun God.
The festival concluded on Thursday with devotees making offerings to the setting sun.
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