Kathmandu, December 20

The government today pledged to take action against those involved in the mistreatment of President Bidhya Devi Bhandari during her visit to Janaki temple.

“The government will take action against those involved in the mistreatment of the President as per the existing laws,” read a press statement issued by Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

Issuing the statement, Industry Minister Som Prasad Pande, who is also the acting Minister for Information and Communication Technology, said the government’s attention had been drawn to the mistreatment of the President by cadres of the Madhes-based parties in Janakpurdham.

“The President had been to Janakpur to offer prayers at the Janaki temple to continue the tradition of the Head of the State offering prayers at the temple on the occasion of Bibaha Panchami,” said Minister Pande.

Cadres of Madhesi parties had reportedly cleansed the temple with Ganga Jal (water from the holy Ganges River) after the President Bidhya Devi Bhandari’s visit, saying the temple was polluted by the presence of a ‘widow’.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has also condemned the mistreatment of President Bidhya Bhandari at the Janaki temple.

PM Oli said the incident was an example of barbaric and wild act.