Janamat Party Cadres Protest Arrest of President CK Raut and Leaders, Demand Release

Cadres of the Rastriya Janamat Party took to the streets in protest, demanding the release of their leaders, including the party’s President and federal lawmaker CK Raut. The demonstration, marked by the burning of tires, occurred at Neta Chowk in Rajbiraj, the headquarters of the Saptari District.

Earlier in the day, over 50 individuals, including CK Raut, were detained by the police for attempting to stage a protest in the prohibited area of Maitighar. The Superintendent of Police Kumud Dhungel, spokesperson for the District Police Range Kathmandu, confirmed the arrest of 47 men and four women, citing their attempt to organize a demonstration in an area designated as ‘prohibited for protests.’

“We arrested them for trying to stage a demonstration in the prohibited area,” said Dhungel.

The detained individuals, currently held at the Metropolitan Police Office in Bhrikutimandap, were advocating for the observance of ‘Dhoti Day’ alongside ‘Dhaka Topi Day,’ traditionally celebrated on the first day of the English calendar.

Notably, CK Raut leads a political party that is also part of the government, sparking discussions on the right to protest and the boundaries set for such activities in the capital.

In response to the arrests, party’s cadres have taken to the streets, raising slogans such as ‘Let Dhoti Day be celebrated’ and demanding the immediate release of their leaders. The incident adds fuel to the ongoing debate on the freedom of expression and the right to protest within the political landscape.