Mass gather at Maitighar Mandala protesting Dr KC’s arrest
Kalpana Poudel
KATHMANDU, Jan 9: People from various walks of life ranging from political circle to health sector gathered at local Maitighar Mandala on Tuesday, protesting against the arrest on Monday of Dr Govinda KC, senior orthopaedist with the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, on the contempt of court charge.
On the initiative of Solidarity for Dr KC Alliance, a large mass was seen in the area since 8 am today despite the biting cold, carrying placards which read slogans like ‘Dr KC is not alone, we are with you’, ‘I am Govinda KC and arrest me,’ ‘discomfort for KC, bad omen to mafias’ and so on.
Naya Shakti Nepal coordinator and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, who reached the Maitighar Mandala to join the mass demanding an immediate release of Dr KC, said the arrest of a simple person fighting for the cause of honesty was really objectionable.
There seemed no reason to detain the person dedicated to reforms in the entire health and education sectors. He was of the view that it would be better to investigate into his demands, rather than taking him under control.
“It is all absurd to punish the man who has been himself in Satyagraha for positive change.” He said he was with Dr KC as he strongly believed that ultimately truth would win.
Likewise, former Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa challenged whoever arrested Dr KC to detain all of them present in the scene to protest against his arrest. “If Dr KC has to face the contempt of court charge for speaking for the right cause, I challenge to take all us under control. Dr KC’s move is not against the court, but for respect.”
Seeking an instant release of Dr KC, he urged the body concerned to seriously investigate into his demands. Though people have respect to the court, disputable decisions coming sometimes have provided a ground for the public to express doubt over their meanings, according to him.
Bibeksheel Sajha Party coordinator Rabindra Mishra said the arrest of the person with clean image was not acceptable. He should be released immediately and there should be a probe against charges labeled against him.
“His (Dr KC’s) remarks regarding the court represent people’s opinions,” he added.
The commencement of fast-onto-death by Dr KC citing that the SC’s Sunday verdict to reinstate Dean of Institute of Medicine (of four years ago) prompted the body concerned to take him under control on the charge of contempt of court. Dr KC has demanded the resignation of the incumbent Chief Justice for the Sunday’s verdict and investigations to his official works executions. The SC on Sunday decided to reinstate Dr Shashi Sharma as the IoM Dean. He was suspended from the post four years ago.
Cardiologist Dr Ramesh Koirala, neurologist Dr Basant Panta, Dr Rabindra Pandey (Sameer), singer Amrit Gurung, comedy artist Nirmal Sharma (Gaida) were among those joining the solidarity mass.
Dr KC has continued his fast-onto-death inside the police custody. He was presented to the court today for pleading on the case.