The heat is on the government over its clampdown on protest rallies at the Maitighar Mandala.

Defying the government decision, the Nepal Students Union (NSU), the student wing of Nepali Congress (NC) on Wednesday staged a protest at the same place.

The NSU students demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision to declare the area as no-protest zone.

NC Central Committee Member Pradip Poudel, who led the student protest at Mandala, accused the government of double standards and misusing their power to oppress citizens like earlier rulers.

It had used the same public space to fight against tyranny in the country, Poudel said.

“Current Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as well as Pushpa Kamal Dahal had used same place to stage peaceful protests during their political struggles. Now, they are using their authority to suppress the voice of people against their behind-the-door activities,” said Poudel.

Citizens protested at the Mandala believing that those in power in the nearby Singha Durbar would listen to their voice clearly.

The NSU protesters highlighted the clampdown by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Baskota on a programme broadcast by the state-run Nepal Television over questions regarding his property details.

“Such decisions show the government’s clampdown on the freedom of media,” said Poudel.

The protesters criticised the government for showing no concern to Ganga Maya Adhikari and Dr Govinda KC, both on indefinite hunger strike. (PR)