If the Government Seeks Arrests or Revenge, We Must Resist, Say 23 UML Organizations
23 organizations affiliated with the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) have objected to the government’s decision to implement the report of the inquiry commission formed to investigate the incidents during the Jana Andolan (People’s Movement) and have demanded its immediate withdrawal.
On Friday, these organizations issued a joint statement accusing the Karki Commission of lacking impartiality and fairness in its investigation.
They alleged that the newly formed government is determined to proceed with biased and vindictive actions against opposition leaders. They warned that any attempt to carry out arrests or revenge would lead to serious consequences.
“If, under the pretext of implementation, the government takes steps to conduct arrests or seek revenge contrary to fundamental principles of justice, it will undoubtedly result in grave outcomes in the country,” the joint statement said.
The organizations demanded the annulment of the Karki Commission and the reversal of the Cabinet’s decision, warning that they will escalate protest programs if their demands are not fulfilled.
“We call for the repeal of the prejudiced Karki Commission and urge the Cabinet to rescind today’s decision. Otherwise, we clearly state that we will be compelled to initiate necessary resistance programs, and the government itself will be held responsible for any resulting circumstances,” the statement emphasized.
Our serious attention has been drawn to the newly formed Cabinet’s first meeting decision to implement the report of the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission, established to investigate the damage to life and property following protests on September 8 and 9, 2025 (Bhadra 23 and 24, 2082 BS).
We believe an impartial investigation is necessary into the damage caused on Bhadra 23, 2082 BS, and into the infiltration, attacks on national and personal properties, looting, and arson during the destructive protests on Bhadra 24. However, the commission’s chair, Gauri Bahadur Karki, had already released conclusions prior to the commission’s formation, presenting misleading findings. This confirms the commission’s complete bias. Our view is that the commission was not established for an impartial investigation, a stance clearly supported by the report. The report was prepared with the intent to defame the then-political leadership and institutionalize politics of hatred. Therefore, such a report is condemnable, regrettable, and unacceptable.
Ignoring feedback from legal experts and civil society leaders, the Cabinet’s decision to take retaliatory action without proper analysis is regrettable. While establishing a committee to study security personnel, the decision to initiate action against the former political leadership clearly signals the new government’s prejudiced and vindictive approach towards opposition leaders. If the government attempts arrests or revenge under the guise of implementing the Karki Commission’s report, defying fundamental principles of justice, it will inevitably lead to serious repercussions in the country.
The protests on Bhadra 23 involved instigating unrest, forcibly bringing children wearing school uniforms onto the streets, creating tension through encirclement, and spreading terror. On Bhadra 24, incidents occurred including arson and vandalism targeting Parliament, Singha Durbar (the administrative complex), the Supreme Court, provincial and local offices, security agency buildings, government institutions, political party offices, private industries, and residences. It is a grave matter that individuals involved in these acts later assumed high government positions. All parties implicated must be subjected to impartial, independent, and thorough investigation and be held accountable under the law. Additionally, there are suspicions that some funds and resources from various dubious domestic and international non-governmental organizations were used in criminal activities, which also requires investigation. Any steps taken without impartial investigation of all parties will be biased and will call into question the integrity of the criminal justice system. We demand the dismissal of the prejudiced Karki Commission and the revocation of the Cabinet’s decision. Otherwise, we will be forced to escalate resistance programs, for which the government will bear full responsibility.
Signatories:
1. Maharaj Gurung, President, National Youth Union Nepal
2. Parshuram Basnet, President, Nepal Sports Federation
3. Deepak Dhami, President, All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union
4. Vinod Shrestha, President, Nepal Trade Union Federation (Jifant)
5. Tukabuddha Hamal, President, All Nepal Women’s Association
6. Vidur Subedi, President, Human Rights and Social Justice Forum Nepal
7. Bhumikā Limbu Subba, President, National Cultural Federation Nepal
8. E. Bhesraj Thapa, President, Progressive Engineers Association Nepal
9. Ganesh Pandey, President, Press Chautari Nepal
10. Tejprasad Nisad, President, All Nepal Backward Class (OBC) Federation
11. Amarbahadur Thapa, President, Progressive and Professional Lawyers’ Organization
12. Punyaprasad Dhakal, President, Professional Federation Nepal
13. Vinod Pandey, President, Nepal National Ex-Servicemen and Police Organization
14. Indra Tamang, President, Land Rights and Workers Organization Nepal
15. E. Gajendra Thapaliya, President, Nepal Intellectual Council
16. Dr. Prem Dangal, President, All Nepal Farmers Federation
17. Bhagirath Sapkota, President, Nepal Industries and Entrepreneurs Federation
18. Manohar B. Paudel, President, Mukti Samaj Nepal
19. Pasang Sherpa, President, Democratic Indigenous Nationalities Federation Nepal
20. Jagdish Adhikari, President, National Disability Organization Nepal
21. Harun Haluwai, President, Nepal Muslim United Organization
22. Vinod Bhattarai, President, Returnee Federation Nepal
23. Pushparaj Shrestha, President, National Volunteers Force Nepal