MP Neupane Criticizes Nepal Bar Association's Lantern Protest

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Yagyamani Neupane has expressed strong dissatisfaction and made sarcastic remarks about the lantern-lighting movement started by the Nepal Bar Association.

Sharing a post on social media, he raised serious questions about the current working style of the Bar and the justification of the movement. 

He stated that it is surprising to see the Bar, which turns a blind eye to the suffering of nascent lawyers and remains indifferent when the poor and helpless do not get justice, suddenly coming out with lanterns to save justice. He expressed anger towards the leadership of the Bar, which observes a vow of silence when there are deviations in judicial proceedings, bites its tongue when controversial verdicts are issued, and falls asleep when corruption cases are pending.

MP Neupane accused the Bar, which finds everything acceptable when judges are appointed through political quotas, remains silent when employees engage in politics, and does not react when decisions are made based on recommendations and influence, of now putting on a drama. He equated the current style of the leadership, which changes its path when the issue of health insurance for poor lawyers is raised, to someone rushing out with a bucket after seeing smoke, only after the house has already burned down.

He commented that those who claim to be social activists but never apply balm to the wounds of society, and who call themselves guardians of justice but put their mobile phones on silent as soon as they hear cries of injustice, are now suddenly carrying lanterns and acting out a revolution.

He challenged the Bar to light lanterns for cases where the poor do not get justice, where people's lives end due to delayed justice, and where families are ruined by wrong verdicts. Neupane mentioned that lanterns are needed in areas where accountability is not assigned for wrong decisions, and in systems where citizens' shoes get worn out searching for justice, but the files of the influential go up by elevator.

He warned that if this is not done, the public will eventually consider this lantern of justice not as a symbol of justice, but as a torch powered by a battery that lights up wherever the political wind blows.

He emphasized that if the judiciary is to be reformed, there should be discussions about restructuring and institutional change, and arrangements should be sought for citizens to receive swift and accessible justice. Urging against making the lantern a tool for politics, Neupane cautioned against assuming that there are no lawyers in today's House of Representatives who care about the judiciary, desire an independent judiciary, and are vigilant to uphold the dignity of the judiciary.

He asserted that the public now seeks true light and will not accept mere theatrics of light.