Government Criticized for Intimidation Tactics Against Media and Opposition

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Bishmaraj Angdembe has expressed his disapproval of the suspicious parking of vehicles outside various media houses and the residence of Congress President Gagan Thapa. Angdembe linked this incident to the government’s inability to tolerate criticism, stating that the capacity to withstand criticism is the greatest strength of any government in a democracy.

Angdembe wrote on Facebook, ‘In a democracy, the government’s greatest strength is its ability to tolerate criticism. However, when the government starts to fear criticism, it begins to target those who question it.’

According to Angdembe, the purpose of parking vehicles outside the gates is to exert pressure on the free press and the opposition. ‘The incident of parking vehicles outside the gates is not only about blocking the way but also an attempt to suppress critical voices,’ he said. ‘This incident is an attempt to put psychological pressure on the opposition leadership, to intimidate them, and to make them fear the consequences of questioning the government.’

Angdembe emphasized that the media and the opposition are not enemies of the government, but rather they serve as a mirror to the state’s actions. ‘The media and the opposition are not enemies of the government. They are the eyes of the people, showing the government’s actions as they are. Breaking the mirror will not make the face look beautiful.’

He pointed out that despite the government’s attempts to silence the media and the opposition, the people’s voices cannot be suppressed. ‘The gate may be blocked by a vehicle, but the people’s voices cannot be blocked. History has proven that even if the gate is blocked, the path of questions will not be closed.’

On Sunday, suspicious vehicles were parked outside the gates of Kantipur, Onlinekhabar, and Himalaya Television, as well as the residence of Congress President Gagan Thapa. The vehicles were later found to be registered in the names of individuals, including a leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.