KATHMANDU, AUGUST 2

Police today arrested advocate Bhagwati Pandey over a controversial statement she made during a recent television interview.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Anil Adhikari said District Police Range, Kathmandu, arrested Pandey this morning. "We have been recording her statement in the case," he said.

Speaking at a talk show, Pandey had said, "Marriage between brothers and sisters takes place in certain religious communities such as Muslim and Magar and Tamang."

Her comment sparked outrage among the people of the communities concerned as they filed complaints against her. However, police were forced to arrest Pandey after scores of people protested at the gate of the police station today. The protest turned into a scuffle between the agitating indigenous people and security forces. At least 35 members of Nepal Magar Sangh and Nepal Tamang Sangh were arrested as police tried to clear the path obstructed by protesters.

All the arrestees were released late evening.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 3, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.