How far will Nepal’s ruling party go to silence its critics?

In Nepal, the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) faces accusations of orchestrating a coordinated effort to silence critical media. On Monday morning, vehicles linked to RSP members deliberately blocked the entrances of Kantipur Media Group, Onlinekhabar, and Himalaya TV. This action, recognized by journalist organizations as political vendetta, aimed to suppress reporting on issues such as the self-immolation of Ganesh Nepali, state brutality against youth activists, and the mishandling of evicted squatter settlements.

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These vehicles were deliberately placed to stop the work of journalists at Kantipur Media Group, Onlinekhabar and Himalaya TV.

The Nepal Police's response to the media blockade has drawn sharp criticism. Authorities claimed they needed "orders from above" to remove the vehicles, demonstrating what critics call extreme lethargy and a prioritization of political interests over the public's right to information. This inaction suggests a police force acting as a tool for the ruling party rather than upholding the law.

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They recognised it as a blatant act of political vendetta.

Furthermore, the government's crackdown extends to youth activists. Lawyer Majid Ansari was assaulted and hospitalized while supporting evicted squatters, with police denying his custody despite his hospitalization. Meanwhile, activists Sarishma Thapa and Nelson Ghatani were pressured into signing statements against protesting. This pattern of suppression includes arrests for peaceful protests and the use of the Electronic Transactions Act to detain individuals for online content critical of ministers.

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This shows a police force that has become a tool for political interests.

The government defends its actions by citing security concerns, but critics dismiss these explanations as hollow excuses. The systematic suppression of critics, including online commentators and activists, points to a regime struggling to tolerate dissent and maintain control through intimidation and force.

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He was grabbed by the collar and beaten. His vision became blurred from injuries.