Nepal’s Prime Minister Balen Shah’s party is embroiled in a serious political and legal controversy. The official membership figures of the party have revealed that Balen Shah’s Rashtriya Swatantra Party has approximately 35,257 members whose age is less than 18 years. Nepal’s opposition parties as well as child rights activists and legal experts have termed it a violation of the country’s laws and international child rights treaties.
According to the membership report of RSP, the party has a total of 5,23,465 members. Of these, 35,257 members are minors. 13,011 minor members are in Bagmati province. Whereas, the least number of minor members, 1,414 members, has been found in Karnali province. 6,235 minor members in Kosi province, 3,030 in Madhesh, 5,116 in Gandaki, 3,648 in Lumbini and 2,813 in West are registered in the RSP party.
Opposition parties made these allegations
The main opposition party Nepali Congress has alleged that RSP has made children members of the party to gain political benefits. This is a violation of the Constitution and law. This issue should be investigated and action should be taken against those responsible. On the other hand, children’s organizations also said that Nepal’s Constitution, electoral law and international treaties related to children’s rights do not allow minors to give formal membership of political parties.
Child rights organizations demanded cancellation of membership of minors
Child rights organizations say that Nepal is a signatory country to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under this, there is a ban on forcibly or institutionally involving children in political activities. This violates child rights. It also raises questions on the fairness of the democratic system. Child rights organization ‘Children as Zones of Peace National Campaign’ has demanded immediate cancellation of membership of all minor members from RSP. The organization has also appealed to the Election Commission of Nepal, National Human Rights Commission and National Child Rights Council to conduct an independent investigation into the entire matter.
No clarification has come from Rashtriya Swatantra Party yet
Till now no clarification has come from the Rashtriya Swatantra Party on the dispute regarding membership of minors. Political analysts believe that this matter is not limited to just one party, but also highlights the weaknesses of membership verification and regulatory system in Nepal’s political system. RSP has been calling itself a symbol of youth and change politics, but this controversy seems to raise questions on its morality.
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