Controversy over Govt R-Day awards

Controversy ensues as displeasure is expressed over the government’s decision to honour 269 personalities for ‘distinctive contribution to the country’, as part of the second Republic Day celebrations in Nepal. Utpal Parashar reports.

Updated on: May 31, 2010, 14:45:28 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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Controversies over state-sponsored awards don’t happen in India alone. Neighbouring Nepal also witnesses them.

The latest one is over the government’s decision to honour 269 personalities for ‘distinctive contribution to the country’, as part of the second Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha has raised objection over the government’s decision to confer Suprabal Janasewa Shree honour to five judges without informing or obtaining his consent.

In a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (copy of which was also marked to the President), he warned that the government move could harm the judiciary’s independence and impartiality.

Shrestha also accused the government of violating provisions of the interim constitution by its move and more seriously raised doubts on merit of the judges selected for the honour.

“Honouring new appointees only demoralizes others who have been continuously contributing to the nation,” he wrote.

There is also anger for the decision to honour a senior police officer who was responsible for death of a youth during the People’s Movement of 2006 against monarchy and restoration of democracy.

Former SSP Durga Kumar Rai was suspended and later indicted by a probe commission for misuse of power while suppressing the movement.

Expressing concern, lawmakers from ruling Nepali Congress have decided to raise the issue in parliament.

Several prominent persons like eminent journalists Kanakmani Dixit and Yubaraj Ghimire and popular actors Hari Bansa Acharya and Madan Krishna Shrestha have refused to accept the award.

“At a time of deep political polarization, I think it is inappropriate to accept this recognition,” the Republica daily quoted Dixit as saying.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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