Gen-Z Activist Raksha Bam Criticizes Home Minister Gurung Over Controversial Remarks on Poverty

Kathmandu. Gen-Z activist Raksha Bam has expressed strong objection to the recent remarks made by Home Minister Sudhan Gurung. Addressing the minister via Facebook, she stated that his comments regarding the economic status of the public are unbecoming of his official position.

Bam argued that there is a vast gap between cinematic dialogue and real life, asserting that one's life cannot be labeled as 'wrong' based on their economic status. Reminding the public that over 20 percent of the country's population lives below the poverty line, she clarified that the state has not provided every citizen with the same opportunities to achieve the level of wealth the minister possesses. She remarked that it is ironic to blame citizens when there are no realistic plans to improve their economic standing.

'If you say it is a mistake to die poor today, how long will it take for you to say that being poor is a crime tomorrow?' she questioned the Home Minister. Expressing dissatisfaction with the tendency to blame the public, she warned Minister Gurung not to label those who cannot elevate their economic status as 'wrong' and urged him to correct his stance in time.

Following criticism over the public disclosure of government ministers' assets, Home Minister Gurung had stated that earning money without corruption before joining the government was not a 'sin.' Writing on Instagram on Monday, Minister Gurung commented that earning money through corruption after joining the government is what constitutes a 'sin.' Responding to his critics, he wrote, 'Being born poor is not your fault, but dying poor is your mistake. Be aware!'

After facing backlash, Gurung has since removed the post.

Here is Raksha Bam's post:

Honorable Home Minister,

Movie lines are written for films; in reality, life is a struggle. It is not appropriate to say that the life someone is living based on their economic status is wrong.

Today, more than 20% of our country's population is below the poverty line, and the state has provided very few people with the opportunity to achieve the economic status you have. For many people in a poor country, achieving high economic status is like a dream. It is not possible to make the public's economic status prosperous today due to the limitations of the state's resources, nor do you have a realistic plan for it.

It is precisely because of the tendency to blame the public that you were given this opportunity. If you say it is a mistake to die poor today, how long will it take for you to say that being poor is a crime tomorrow? Labeling those who cannot raise their economic status as 'wrong' is against your official dignity. Correct yourself in time.