Supreme Court Summons Government Over Alleged Discrimination Against Conflict Victims' Families

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to appear for a hearing regarding a petition filed by the families of martyrs from the ten-year conflict, alleging discrimination and insult by the interim government led by Sushila Karki.

A single bench of Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla has summoned the government for a hearing on the petition on the upcoming Chaitra 15. The Supreme Court has also sought a written response from the government concerning the dispute.

The joint writ petition was filed by Hom Kumari Bajgai Devkota, wife of Nar Bahadur Devkota (who was killed by the then rebel faction CPN (Maoist) during the conflict and declared a martyr by the Government of Nepal) from Gorkha Barpak Sulikot; Kalpana Pokharel, wife of Balram Pokharel from Gorkha Siranchok; Swastika Adhikari, daughter of Shiva Prasad Adhikari from Gorkha Ajirkot; Indira Dwadi, daughter of Bishnu Dutta Sharma Dwadi from Gorkha Ajirkot; and Advocate Gyanendra Raj Aran, son of martyr Tikaraj Aran.

The families of the martyrs from the decade-long conflict have filed the writ challenging the discrimination in the Council of Ministers' decision to construct statues of 'Genji' martyrs in the Parliament building, establish a 'Genji Martyr Memorial Park,' and provide grants.

The petition demands a stay on the implementation of the decision, naming Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Chief Secretary, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, among others, as respondents.

The Council of Ministers led by Sushila Karki had made decisions including placing statues of 'Genji' martyrs in the newly constructed Parliament building, observing 'Genji Martyr Day' every year on Bhadra 23, constructing statues of 'Genji' martyrs and a 'Genji Martyr Memorial Park' at the International Sports Complex Satdobato, and providing grants to the 'Genji Welfare Martyr Family Society.'

The victim families have raised the question that this decision, made according to the Council of Ministers' decision of Magh 20, 2082, discriminates against and insults the martyrs of the conflict period.