Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki has defended the government’s decision to issue an ordinance to revise the criminal code clearing legal hurdles to grant amnesty to anyone convicted of heinous crimes.

While unveiling the cabinet’s decision on Monday, minister Karki who is also the government’s spokesperson, argued the decision was made to rope in parties and groups involved in violent activities to mainstream politics.

A Cabinet meeting on Sunday decided to issue such an ordinance to give amnesty, particularly to Resham Chaudhary, who is serving a life term in connection to the Tikapur carnage of August 2015.

Minister Karki, however, argued the decision on the ordinance was made based on past agreements and decisions.

“The ordinance was forwarded before the president for authentication with a goal to bring parties and groups involved in violent activities to mainstream politics,” Karki said. “Earlier governments also issued a similar ordinance. Agreement to grant amnesty has been reached in the past. This is a decision made to create a comfortable environment for all those who want to contribute to the country by focusing on the current needs.”

The decision of the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government has come under fire from several quarters including his party Nepali Congress.

Both the general secretaries of Nepali Congress Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma and leader Pradip Poudel have objected to the decision of the government to issue an ordinance to revise the criminal code clearing legal hurdles to grant amnesty to anyone convicted of heinous crimes.