KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 6
In the wake of allegations that Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak is abusing power to protect his party cadre in an inter-caste marriage, CPN-MC lawmaker Barshaman Pun has demanded a clear response from the home minister regarding atrocities committed against Dalit youth who married inter-caste.
Pun demanded a clear answer after Home Minister and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ramesh Lekhak did not respond further in the House of Representatives meeting on Thursday, other than to reiterate that the news was false.
Lekhak stated that he and his party are against any form of untouchability or caste discrimination. He stated that the Home Ministry was committed to addressing the victim couple's grievances while also ensuring complete security.
He said that the government would protect Neha Rauniyar and Satyendra Ram of Barahathawa in Sarlahi, the inter-caste married couple.
Responding to questions from lawmakers during the emergency and zero hour of today's Lower House meeting, Lekhak stated that his attention was drawn to the issue of Neha and Satyendra inter-caste marriage and that the government was working to implement anti-discrimination laws.
"Inter-caste marriage has been legally recognised. The ministry will carry it out in both letter and spirit. Security will be provided for Neha and Satyendra," said Lekhak.
He also urged the media not to push society towards separation by twisting facts and not to create such content.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Pun expressed dissatisfaction with Lekhak's response, saying, "The Home Minister answered the questions raised on the marriage issue of Sarlahi couple Satyendra and Neha. However, one question remained unanswered: a team consisting of an SP and a constable travelled to India, arrested them, and returned them, with rumours circulating that the Home Minister was involved."
Demanding a ruling from the Speaker on the Home Minister's response, he added, "Let the facts be investigated, necessary actions be taken, and this type of caste discrimination be controlled and eliminated."
On February 4, Nayapatrika published a story claiming that, while the government's policy encourages inter-caste marriages, the opposite is true in practice.
According to Nayapatrika, Satyendra Kumar Ram (Chamar-so-called lower caste) and Neha Rauniyar were tortured solely for having an inter-caste love marriage, with the involvement of the home minister and a high-ranking police officer. Despite the fact that their marriage has already been registered, the state is using its power to end it.
The story further claimed that the couple arrived in Mumbai for a visit, but a police team not only arrested them but also abused their authority by filing a child marriage case against Satyendra.
Satyendra has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) after being threatened with involvement in drug and human trafficking cases, according to the story. NHRC is currently conducting an investigation.
Satyendra had also filed a writ of habeas corpus with the Supreme Court and the apex court on Sunday issued a writ handing Neha over to Satyendra.
"Neha's father is a businessman. He has contact with the influential NC leader, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak," reads Nayapatrika. "On that basis, Rauniyar has mobilised the police through the Home Minister to detain Satyendra and attempt to end his relationship with his daughter. The police, who investigate and take action in untouchability cases, have themselves been involved in such incidents."