Government Prioritizes Addressing Demands of Janajati Victims; Reactions from Martyrs’ and Injured Families
Photo Credit: Badal Rai/Facebook
On September 9 last year, Badal Rai, injured during the Janajati movement in front of the Parliament building, expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s delayed fulfillment of their demands. He was receiving treatment at Civil Hospital.
Despite government shortcomings in implementing previously agreed measures, the victims remain hopeful for progress in the coming days.
On Monday, a meeting was held between Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, Law Minister Sobita Gautam, several federal parliament members, key government officials including the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, and representatives from the families of Janajati martyrs and the injured.
At the meeting, participants expressed some reservations about previous agreements and urged that the remaining implementations be given priority.
The former interim government signed a 10-point agreement on December 10 aiming to address the demands of Janajati martyrs and injured families.
Furthermore, the current government, holding nearly two-thirds majority, approved a 24-point proposal on July 2.
Though nearly a year has passed since the movement, none of the points from these agreements have been fully implemented, according to Badal Rai.
The Janajati movement on September 9-10 of last year resulted in 76 fatalities.
Badal Rai stated that around a thousand individuals, including himself, have received injury identification cards from the government.
Officials revealed that the government has held discussions about creating a ‘dedicated team’ to expedite addressing the demands of Janajati martyrs and the injured families.
Purpose of the Government’s ‘Dedicated Team’
Photo Credit: Badal Rai/Facebook
The government had already formed a special coordination committee to address the demands of the injured and families of Janajati martyrs from the September 9-10 movement and started working on the issues.
This committee operates under the coordination of Hemraj Aryal, Deputy Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, focusing on the implementation and facilitation of the Janajati movement agreement and integrated packages.
Deputy Secretary Aryal stated that the committee discussed working in a ‘dedicated’ manner for the implementation of the Janajati movement’s demands at Monday’s meeting.
Participants confirmed that discussions focused on the agreement reached on December 10 and the cabinet decision dated July 2, 2026 (Nepali calendar 2083 Ashadh 18), regarding implementation.
Many have noted that although a year has passed since the Janajati movement, the government remains focused solely on making the implementation effective.
What challenges are emerging in addressing the Janajati demands?
“The government is committed to continuing the implementation of the approved integrated package and enhancing coordination among internal bodies. Additionally, new demands have been raised by Janajati martyrs and injured representatives. The focus is on how to coordinate and gradually implement these,” Deputy Secretary Aryal explained.
“This effort should help integrate prior works and ensure the proper execution of declared government packages.”
Badal Rai, Chairman of the Janajati Injured Group, expressed optimism about the government’s efforts to address demands.
“So far, the government has not fulfilled our demands but the process is moving forward. A committee under the leadership of the Deputy Secretary has been formed, including parliament members, and the creation of a dedicated team was discussed on Monday,” said Rai.
“There has been immaturity in the government’s actions. Within five months, the situation has become complicated. Despite good intentions, the work has not progressed.”
Regarding dissatisfaction with the agreement approved on July 2, the participants voiced concerns.
“We have demands to amend either the 23 points we proposed or the 24 points approved by the government,” Rai added.
“The Ministry of Finance has planned to provide concessional loans to victims’ families, but the detailed procedures have not yet been finalized.”
Although Janajati activists view the government’s decision to form a separate dedicated team positively, they criticize the lack of progress in addressing the demands due to insufficient prioritization.
Activist Raksha Bam remarked, “The government’s plan to implement through a dedicated team is good, but the main reason for delay in implementation seems to be the lack of prioritization or possibly reduced interest in the demands now.”