National
Women rights groups demand action against Sthapit over his insensitive comments
The UML mayoral candidate for Kathmandu is not fit to run for the post, say 45 rights organisations.Post Report
As many as 45 different women rights organisations have demanded action against CPN-UML’s mayoral candidate for Kathmandu Metropolitan City Keshav Sthapit, saying his statement against a woman, who questioned him about his alleged involvement in sexual violence in the past, at a recent function was objectionable.
Issuing a press statement, the rights group including the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre, said on Saturday that Sthapit made an ungracious comment and tried to assassinate the character of the person who had asked a question about sexual charges against him.
“His statements are objectionable and punishable too,” states the press statement. “Telling someone ‘you are a nice lady but your mouth is bad. Should I publish a news saying this sister (the lady) is in prostitution?’ is not only very insensitive but also amounts to gender violence in itself.”
In an interaction held by National College on Thursday, Sthapit responded aggressively to the concerns regarding his alleged involvement in sexual violence against two women—a journalist and and a former staff at the metropolitan city.
The rights groups have said Sthapit was not fit to become the mayor of the Capital city.
They have claimed that his activities were against Articles 16, 17, 18, 29, 38 and 42 of Nepal's constitution.
“We have come to a conclusion that the state must bring his actions that violate the fundamental rights of individuals to legal action,” the release states.
Ever since Sthapit was charged with #MeToo, he has been making light of the issue, and even using condescending language for the accusers, going to the extent of calling them retarded.
“The party [UML] should immediately take action against such a person who makes insensitive and irresponsible statements, demeans women and treats women inhumanly in public,” the rights groups have demanded. “His candidacy should be scrapped.”