Maitighar Mandala sit-in: Different suffering, one demand—justice
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu’s Maitighar Mandala, long known as a symbolic space for public protests and government accountability, has once again become a focal point for grief and demands for justice.
At present, the area is filled with victims of different tragedies—ranging from road accident survivors to survivors of sexual violence and families affected by caste-based killings—each staging continuous sit-ins demanding accountability, compensation, and legal action.
One of the protesters, Devika Khanal from Inaruwa-6, Sunsari, has been on a 21-day sit-in, alleging that a local ward chairperson caused a road accident in 2024 and then refused to take responsibility for her medical treatment.
She claims she was left disabled and repeatedly denied justice despite approaching multiple local and federal bodies.
Khanal also alleged pressure to settle the case for Rs 500,000, calling for a fair investigation, compensation, and legal action against the accused.
“I have been sitting here for 21 days demanding justice, but the government has not acted. I still hope the new Home Minister will listen,” she said.
Similarly, Sharmila Shahi has been protesting for seven days at Maitighar while holding her three-month-old baby, demanding justice after alleging she was subjected to sexual violence and unlawful detention.
She is calling for the accused, currently in judicial custody, and his family to take responsibility for the child’s citizenship, upbringing, and future.
Human rights activist Prakash Tamata is also part of the sit-in, demanding justice for the decade-old alleged caste-based murder of Ajit Mijar.
He accused authorities of negligence and delay in delivering justice, questioning how long Dalit families must wait for accountability in inter-caste violence cases.
Another protester, Krishna Maya Upreti, has been demanding justice for a 13-year-old rape case, claiming that even Supreme Court decisions failed to deliver fair judgment in her case. She expressed frustration over repeated humiliation and said she would continue her protest until justice is ensured.
Despite their differing cases, the protesters share a common demand—fair and impartial justice.
Their voices have now reached Parliament, where lawmakers have begun raising concerns over the growing frustration of victims gathered at Maitighar Mandala.
