KATHMANDU, July 13: The Solidarity for Dr Govinda KC Alliance presented a kilogram of Marsi rice, a native produce of Jumla, to Prime Minister KP Oli at Baluwatar on Thursday, reminding him of a feast at the residence of businessman Durga Prasai on February 18 where Oli and former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal were served Marsi, among other delicacies.
The alliance blamed PM Oli for changing some provisions of the Medical Education Ordinance under the influence of some businessmen. After the provisions of the ordinance were altered by the present government, Dr KC started his 15th fast-unto-death in Jumla.However, the PM returned the rice to the protestors who staged a street-play in front of the PM's residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu.Alliance members said it is shameful that Dr KC has been forced to stage his 15th hunger strike with the same demands for reforms in the medical sector.
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The ruling party, against its stated principal of socialism, has been working in favor of the medical mafia, said engineer Pritam Subedi, a member of the alliance. "We thought that the supreme leaders of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) worked for the mafia by having the Marsi rice at their place," said Subedi, "So, we presented Marsi rice to the PM so that he would work in the interest of the people."
Meanwhile, more than a dozen professional organizations have appealed to the government to address the demands of Dr KC. The organizations are Solidarity for Dr GKC Alliance, Save Ganga Maya Campaign, Nepal Medical Association, Nepal Bar Association, Nepal Professors Union, Nepal Engineers Association, Ayurvedic Association of Nepal, Doctors Society of Nepal, Nepal Nursing Union, Public Defense Alliance, Health Professional Organization, Kathmandu University Teachers Association, Government Doctors and Association among others.
Issuing a joint statement, these organizations accused the government of turning a deaf ear to Dr KC's protest demanding reforms in the medical sector and Ganga Maya Adhikari's hunger strike demanding action against the murderers of her son, and banning protests at Maitighar of Kathmandu to suppress the people's voices.
"So, we urge the government to solve the problems through talks immediately," said the statement signed by the members of the alliance.