Prominent Citizens in Nepal Raise Concerns Over Government Actions

PTI, May 4, 2026, Kathmandu: Over two dozen prominent Nepalese citizens on Monday accused the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah of undermining democratic norms, violating constitutional provisions and adopting increasingly authoritarian practices, amid the ongoing demolition drive in the Kathmandu Valley.

In a joint statement, they demanded an immediate halt to the forced eviction of residents from informal settlements, respect for parliamentary processes, press freedom and constitutional rights to association and organisation.

The Balendra government has razed more than 2,000 illegal structures along riverbanks in parts of the Kathmandu Valley in recent days.

The government has come under severe criticism from the opposition for not showing sensitivity and giving adequate time for the landless squatters to remove their belongings.

Separately, the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) on Monday said that the government's ongoing move to evict landless settlers was "cruel."

"It was inappropriate for the government to forcibly evict landless settlers from their residence without following the legal and constitutional way," the NC said.

"Forcibly removing the settlements and dismantling temples, monasteries, and school buildings by the authorities was a very sad incident," the party said in a statement. "The Nepali Congress strongly deplores such inhuman acts."

Meanwhile, the joint statement, issued by 28 prominent citizens, criticised recent forced evictions of landless squatters from informal settlements, alleging that the actions were carried out without proper verification, rehabilitation plans, or safeguards for vulnerable populations.

The evictions have already resulted in two suicides and left thousands, including pregnant women and children, without shelter, healthcare, or access to education, the statement said.

The signatories said that such actions violate constitutional guarantees, including the right to housing and protection for marginalised communities, and described the use of armed security forces, including the national army, against settlement residents as unconstitutional and inhumane.

They urged the government to launch comprehensive data collection and ensure adequate housing alternatives before undertaking any eviction measures.

The statement also raised serious concerns over restrictions on press freedom, alleging that journalists faced barriers when attempting to report on the evictions and conditions in holding centres, with some reportedly forced to delete photos and videos.

It warned that such actions undermine the public's right to information and signal a broader pattern of suppressing public voice.

It also raised concerns regarding the government's increasing reliance on ordinances while bypassing regular parliamentary processes.

The statement said that suspending parliamentary sessions and issuing ordinances instead of engaging in legislative debate undermines democratic governance, particularly given the government's near two-thirds majority.

It pointed out that this approach raises serious constitutional and legal questions and contradicts the principles of accountability and transparency expected in a parliamentary system.

The group also strongly opposed reported plans to restrict or ban student unions, trade unions, and professional organisations.

Underscoring that the constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression, the signatories said that any attempt to curtail these rights would violate both national and international commitments, including labour rights conventions.

Further criticism was directed at the government's removal of hundreds of officials through ordinance, which the statement likened to arbitrary purges reminiscent of autocratic practices. The signatories maintained that such actions weaken the rule of law, due process, and institutional integrity, while risking the consolidation of power within a single political force.

The letter was signed by former minister and constitutional expert Nilambar Acharya, senior human rights activist Sushil Pyakurel, senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi, senior journalist Narayan Wagle, and senior diplomat Mahesh Maskey, among others.