Birgunj — It has been revealed that Prem Prakash Khetan, the Chairman of the Management Committee of the prestigious public institution Hari Khetan Multiple Campus, has illegally and unethically modified the campus constitution to seize control of land and physical structures worth billions. Stakeholders have brought to light that this calculated game of additions and amendments to the constitution was orchestrated with the sole intent of running this community-established campus like a private company for personal ambition and commercial benefit.

Family Legacy Maneuvers under the Guise of 'Donor'

In the current constitution of the campus, the definition of 'donor' has been made extremely narrow and tailored to benefit specific family interests. Clause 2(c) of Chapter 1 states:

"Donor" means Prem Prakash Khetan, son of the late Hari Khetan of the Khetan family, who arranged the purchase of land and prepared the physical structure on that land to transfer it to the campus—with the objective of operating it in memory of the late Hari Khetan by the family of the late Bihari Lal Khetan—and includes any individual trusted by him among his legal heirs.

Outrage of Stakeholders and Conservationists: This campus is entirely a community property. According to legal experts and the local community, under no circumstances can the ownership or supreme control of this public institution be transferred to the late Hari Khetan's son, Prem Prakash Khetan, or his heirs.

According to records, during the initial construction phase of the campus, the Khetan family only provided basic in-kind support such as stone, sand, bricks, and cement. It was purely in recognition of that material donation that the campus was named after his late son at the time. Just because Hari Khetan's father gave some construction materials decades ago, trying to claim a permanent family inheritance over the entire public institution today is an outright unethical and illegal move.

A Plot to Sell Off Public Property 'Like a Private Individual'?

Another highly controversial and dangerous provision inside the current campus constitution directly involves the buying, selling, and liquidation of movable and immovable property. The constitution explicitly states:

"The campus may, subject to this constitution, acquire, keep, sell, or otherwise manage movable and immovable property like an individual."

Placing a provision that allows a public community institution to sell off its holdings "like an individual" raises alarming questions about Prem Prakash Khetan's true intentions. Local conservationists ask angrily, "Is Prem Prakash Khetan planning to sell off and pocket the proceeds of this multi-billion public property and prime land at his own convenience?"

For this reason, there is an intense public demand to immediately repeal this controversial provision and replace it with a restrictive public interest clause:

"The campus may, subject to this constitution, acquire and manage movable and immovable property."

Additionally, there is a strong demand to completely abolish the current definition of campus assembly members, which gives absolute veto power and dominance only to the donor and the individuals nominated by him, declaring it completely contrary to the values of public property.

The Scheme to Rule Birgunj from Kathmandu

The management committee's strategic move to permanently base the campus's liaison office in the capital city has also triggered intense backlash. Clause 4(d) of Chapter 1 of the constitution states:

"The liaison office of the campus may remain in Kathmandu as per necessity."

Local Accusation: Chairman Prem Prakash Khetan permanently resides in Kathmandu. He has zero contact, accessibility, or dialogue with the actual stakeholder students, staff, professors, and the local community in Birgunj. Instead, he maintains close ties only with a few limited commercial interest groups. Activists allege that this provision was deliberately introduced to run an absolute administrative and financial monopoly over Birgunj's historic institution while sitting in a comfortable room in the capital. Therefore, the proposed amendment explicitly demands the total deletion of this liaison office clause.

Proposed Amendment: Public Good vs. Personal Monopolization

Following immense internal and external pressure within the campus recently, a sweeping 'proposed amendment' has been officially pushed forward to overhaul the constitution. This new draft aims to dismantle Prem Prakash Khetan's personal monopoly and restore the institution back into a democratic and transparent public sphere.

Key Proposed Structural Shifts:

  • Abolition of 'Donor' Privileges: The provision in Chapter 1, Clause 2(c) that designates Prem Prakash Khetan and his heirs as permanent 'donors' with supreme rights is to be completely removed.

  • Democratic Campus Assembly: The formation of the campus assembly will no longer be handled via personal nominations by the donor. Instead, it will be executed purely through democratic elections, expanding the general assembly strength from 21 to 51 members.

  • Institutional & Local Body Governance: The new management committee will incorporate responsible public officials, including the Chief of the Guthi Sansthan, the Mayor of Birgunj Metropolitan City, the Chief of the District Coordination Committee, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the local Ward Chairman.

  • Transparent Financial Operations: The concept of a centralized 'Main Fund' controlled under the chairman's leverage is to be completely scrapped. Bank accounts will now be strictly operated under the joint signatures of the Campus Chief and the Head of Accounts.

  • Accountability Framework: Mandatory clauses have been added to establish independent Student Unions, Staff Unions, and Professor Unions to secure internal checks and balances during everyday operations.

It now remains to be seen what strict legal and administrative measures the local citizens, student bodies, and regulatory authorities of Birgunj will execute to stop this historic community hub from becoming a private playground for personal ambition.