Indira Rana Magar, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed dissatisfaction over the incident where she was denied the opportunity to speak.
During the 29th World Indigenous Day event held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Rana addressed the gathering. She expressed her concern over the fact that she was not allowed to speak and was told to remain silent. She also questioned the constitutional provision that guarantees her the right to speak emphasizing the need for a just interpretation of the constitution.
She raised questions such as, “Today, observe in the parliament, how many women are allowed to speak live? Do about 33% of women really get the chance to speak? Just 5/6 days ago, the Parliament was opened, and now the Deputy Speaker is saying that she cannot speak. Where is it written in the constitution that she should remain silent? Where is it mentioned in the rules that she should remain silent? Even in the vicinity, I am not allowed to speak. Why can’t I express my thoughts outside? Is it because I am a Magar woman, a daughter of a voter? This is my question.”
Deputy Speaker Rana stated that she was denied the opportunity to speak due to the assumption that she is the daughter of an indigenous person. She also criticized the lack of respect for women and accused the country of heading more towards autocracy than democracy.
She questioned, “Should we talk about good governance, is this good governance or autocracy? I am not sure if I understand, or perhaps I am not meant to understand, whether it’s a child or me. If a woman gives birth to a child and she is capable of turning that child into a responsible citizen, if such a woman is not respected here, then where is democracy?”
She also highlighted the issue of youth leaving the country due to the failure to address their concerns. “In agriculture, the budget doesn’t go to the youth. The one who prepares the proposal gets it, starts an organization overnight. And where is good governance then? And how are the youth not leaving the country?” Rana questioned.
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