KATHMANDU, Jan 12: Appreciating the Supreme Court (SC) order to investigate the citizenship and academic certificates of Chief Justice (CJ) Gopal Parajuli, Dr Govinda KC has said that he will continue his 14th hunger strike until his remaining demands are addressed.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, Dr KC said that the apex court’s decision to seek the details of CJ Parajuli’s documents and his decision to reinstate Dr Shashi Sharma to the post of dean of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) are praiseworthy. “However, I will continue my fast-unto-death until my remaining demands are met,” he said in the statement, “The court’s move is in favor of my demand for the CJ’s resignation. Now, I believe that the court will fairly probe the allegations leveled against him.”
Madhesi Medical Association dissents Dr KC's hunger strike
Dr KC abandoned his demand for CJ Parajuli’s resignation after the SC order to investigate the latter’s credentials including citizenship and School Leaving Certificate and documents related to the SC order to reinstate Dr Sharma. Demanding the resignation of CJ Parajuli, Dr KC started his 14th hunger strike on January 8 but he was arrested in the evening on the same day on the charge of contempt of court. On January 10, Dr KC was released from detention following an order of the SC which asked him to reappear before the court on February 20.
Issuing a press statement on January 8, Dr KC had accused CJ Parajuli of taking decisions in favor of the mafia. Dr KC forwarded a seven-point demand that included the resignation of CJ Parajuli, immediate formation of the Medical Education Commission, appointment of IOM Dean on the basis of seniority by canceling the reinstatement of Dr Sharma, taking action against Tribhuvan University officials who had decided to grant affiliation to controversial medical colleges, promotion of staffers on the basis of seniority by negating political appointments, implementation of surgical services for Extended Health Services and maintaining proper sanitation in the hospital.
The SC had ordered the government on January 7 to reinstate Dr Sharma. The apex court order led to a situation where there were two deans at IOM for four days. Dr Sharma retired on January 11. A former vice-chairman of Nepal Medical Council, Dr Sharma had decided to approve the property details submitted by the controversial Kathmandu Medical College owned by CPN-UML leader Jainuddin Ansari, to receive IOM affiliation.
The government led by Khil Raj Regmi had sacked Dr Sharma from the post of IOM dean four years ago on January 22, 2014, after pressure created by a hunger strike by Dr KC. On February 13, 2014, Dr Sharma filed a writ petition at the SC challenging the government’s decision. However, the then Chief Justice Sushila Karki did not issue an interim order on the petition as demanded by Dr Sharma.
