Nepali Congress lawmakers have objected to the arrest warrant against Kantipur Media Group Chairman Kailash Sirohiya, saying that it was issued at the behest of those in power. The lawmakers said that the warrant came as an attack on the press and an assault on democracy.

They visited the KMG’s central office at Thapathali, Kathmandu, and expressed their firm resolve to defend press freedom and democracy in the country.

Congress lawmaker NP Saud, who is a former foreign minister, said they will not tolerate the crackdown targeting an independent media organisation. “We stand with Kantipur. This is an attempt at intimidation under the influence of power. It is an attack on democratic values and press freedom,” said Saud.

Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain questioned: “What is the prime minister trying to achieve by attacking Kantipur, which has fought for democracy?”

Lawmaker Bir Bahadur Balayar emphasised the need for broad unity in response to not just any actions against Sirohiya but also against democracy and press freedom.

Lawmaker Pratima Gautam said the warrant came as a bid to divert the issue of cooperative fraud. “We stand with Kantipur for democracy and press freedom,” she expressed her solidarity.

MP Raju Thapa accused Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane of attempting to bargain with the media and retaliating when he did not succesed. “The home minister should be arrested in the cooperatives [savings misappropriation] case,” he said.

Lamichhane faces allegations of investing hundreds of millions of rupees illegally borrowed from a number of cooperatives into the now shuttered Galaxy TV when he steered the company.

Lawmaker Chanda Chaudhary, at the Kantipur office, said they stand with Kantipur as it raises issues of public concern.

Lawmaker Deepak Giri highlighted the contribution of Kantipur media outlets to democracy. “The government is trying to scare the Kantipur. There is a need to protest and retaliate against the attempt to intimidate the media organisation by filing fake cases,” he said.

Lawmaker Kusum Thapa Magar condemned the crackdown on the dissemination of fair news against the cooperatives fraud, while Congress leader Govinda Pokharel said the arrest warrant against Sirohiya was a step against democracy.

Also speaking, lawmaker Ram Krishna Yadav said Kantipur had made contributed significant to safeguarding democracy.

MP Shyam Ghimire described the arrest warrant as an attack on democracy, adding that the incident should be taken seriously.

Lawmaker Nagina Yadav slammed the government for displaying arrogance in Parliament and the home minister for its approach to the Kantipur daily in particular. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal took the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Monday amid protest by the main opposition, Nepali Congress.

Meanwhile, industrialist Upendra Mahato demanded an impartial investigation into the issue.

Thanking the lawmakers for expressing solidarity with him, KMG Chairman Sirohiya renewed his commitment to fighting corruption and irregularities and supporting democracy as the media’s duty towards the public.

Sirohiya said he was ready to assist the administration in the investigation and termed the issuance of the arrest warrant without questioning him a retaliatory move. He demanded an impartial investigation against the home minister as well in the citizenship case.

“He [Rabi Lamichhane] should also be investigated for holding two citizenships. The investigation against me should also be impartial and transparent. I am ready to cooperate,” he said.