The 'Save Lumbini Campaign' staged a peaceful demonstration demanding the immediate revocation of controversial appointments, including singer Ani Choying Drolma, to the Lumbini Development Trust. Protesters organized a silent rally from Parsa Chowk to the trust office, threatening a nationwide revolt if the government fails to reverse its decision.
Addressing a corner meeting, campaign coordinator Akram Khan criticized the appointment as a direct blow to good governance and procedural integrity. He noted that while Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane lost his position over citizenship issues, government favoritism toward controversial figures is pushing the country toward internal conflict.
Co-coordinator Meghnath Acharya accused the government of turning the sacred heritage site into a political recruitment center by sidelining impartial experts. He highlighted that appointing individuals facing citizenship and money laundering allegations jeopardizes the trust's international prestige and long-pending master plan projects.
Citing Section 21 of the Citizenship Act 2063, spokesperson Ram Vikas Chaudhary stressed that obtaining citizenship through fraudulent details carries mandatory imprisonment and fines. Activist Sanjay Kumar Mishra warned that widespread public outrage will escalate across Nepal after the upcoming Tihar festival unless the government rights its course.
