National
Minister Tamang faces public outrage
KATHMANDU,
The statement of Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sher Bahadur Tamang has faced strong criticism for his outrageous statement about Nepali female medicine students in Bangladesh.
The statement of Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sher Bahadur Tamang has faced strong criticism for his outrageous statement about Nepali female medicine students in Bangladesh.
Political leaders, members of the civil society and social media activists have reproached Minister Tamang who on Friday said at an event in Kathmandu that Nepali female medicine students in Bangladesh were “submitting themselves” to their professors to get degree certificates.
Tamang’s statement soon spread like a wildfire in social networking sites triggering public outrage.
His statement came just days after Durga Prasain, the owner of B&C Medical Hospital in Birtamod, Jhapa, made a similar claim at a press conference.
Nepali Communist Party leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha expressed objection to the claims made by both Minister Tamang and Sharma through Twitter. “Public remark made by entrepreneur Durga Prashain over female students from Nepal perusing medical education in Bangladesh is objectionable. I condemn this and seek for public introspection. Likewise, similar remark from law minister is saddening. The government should make serious consideration,” he tweeted.
Former Prime Minister and the leader of Naya Shakti Party, Nepal, Babu Ram Bhattarai, demanded an independent investigation and punishment against Tamang, while the opposition party, Nepali Congrees, urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to restrain a rash minister like Tamang.
“The Nepali Congress has taken the statement seriously. The remark that has come without analysing the identity, pride and social reputation of female students studying in Bangladesh is condemnable and objectionable,” said in a statement released by Congress Spokesperson Bishwo Prakash Sharma.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has meanwhile demanded Tamang’s dismissal. Issuing a statement, the RPP said Tamang’s statement was crude and unfounded.
RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa also demanded legal action against Prasain.
Mohna Ansari, commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, tweeted, “Is there any proof? Why are students in medical Bangladesh being defamed?” she questioned.
Sorry says minister
KATHMANDU: Law Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang has apologised for his controversial statement about Nepali female medicine students in Bangladesh.
Issuing a press statement on Sunday, Minster Tamang apologised for causing distress to female students who are currently pursuing or have completed their MBBS in Bangladesh.
“I apologise for the remarks which have hurt the sentiments of female students who are pursuing and have completed MBBS in Bangladesh,” he said in the statement.
Noting that there are over 2,000 Nepali female students pursuing medical education in Bangladesh, Tamang said that his remarks were aimed at bringing to fore some of the issues that Nepali students face while studying abroad.
He said that the ministry had received complaints of Nepali girl students committing suicide and being subject to violence, and that the motive behind his remarks was to point out the need of establishing medical education institutions in Nepal so that students do not face such problems.