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Durga Prasai

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Durga Prasai
Prasai during his speech in Mirchaiya in November 2023
Born (1971-05-05) 5 May 1971 (age 53)
Terhathum, Nepal
NationalityNepalese
Years active2016-present
Known forPolitical campaigning
Websitehttps://durgaprasai.com

Durga Prasai (Nepali: दुर्गा प्रसाई) Is a Nepalese right wing political activist and medical entrepreneur. Since, 2023 He has been frequently active in political movement leading social and political campaigns in all state provinces of Nepal against the current federal democratic government system and calls for its overthrow to reinstate the constitutional monarchy and Hindu state by amending the constitution of 2015.[1][2][3][4]

He was previously charged for loan default worth NPR 5.57 billion lend by 8 different commercial banks of nepal to establish the medical college B&C Hospital in Jhapa.[5][6]According to Nepal Rastra Bank sources, Prasai owes NPR 760 million from Nabil Bank, NPR 1.2 billion from Prabhu Bank, NPR 1 billion from Kumari Bank (then NCC Bank), NPR 700 million from Rastriya Banijya Bank, 650 million from Nepal Investment Mega Bank (then Mega Bank), NPR 153 million from Lumbini Development Bank, NPR 110 million from  Goodwill Finance and NPR 1 billion from Global IME Bank (then Janata Bank).[7] Prasai is claiming he would be paying the dues once government grants the affiliation permission to his college.[8]

He is currently serving as an Executive Director of B&C Hospital and a private investor of Taksha Shila education foundation, both located in Jhapa.[9][10] In March 2024, Supreme Court of Nepal directed the Medical Education Commission and Kathmandu University with an issue order to mandates granting the medical affiliation permission to the Prasai B&C Hospital to run the MBBS classes after his writ petition to the court.[11][12][13][14]

Political career

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Prasai late night dining with former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and K.P Sharma Oli

In early 2017, an image circulated on social media of Durga Prasai dining alongside KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, leaders of Nepal’s prominent communist parties. Prasai claims that this luncheon at his residence played a pivotal role in unifying CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) to form a left alliance, which would later lead the government by securing 174 out of 275 seats in 2017 Nepalese general election.[15] During the gathering, the trio was seen enjoying Jumli Marshi Rice, a type of Himalayan rice renowned for its cultivation in record altitudes,[16] stimulating heightened demand for this rice variant in Nepali market.[17]

Prasai, who was formerly sympathetic to the Maoists, was elected to represent the CPN UML in the October 2021 statute conference. After receiving a nomination for the central committee in December 2021, Prasai was given the position of deputy head of the party's industry, trade, and supply section but was expelled from the party in February 2023, after he publicly started making remarks in favor of monarchy, Hindu state and abolition of federalism.[18][19][20]

According to Prasai, he has exposed numerous individuals, including bureaucrats, industrialists, and politicians, who exploit political power for personal gain and deplete the country's resources. While his claims have sparked significant public discourse and calls for greater accountability and transparency, they remain his personal assertions and have not been independently verified.

Even though Prasai currently holds far-right views on Nepali political spectrum, he is known to frequently change his ideology to suit the populist sentiment.[21]

Political campaigns

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In his political rallies, Prasai demands either to cancel all private loans of general public above 2 million taken from cooperative banking institutions or cut the bank's lending to 4 to 5 percent interest rate from 17 percent for the loan above 20 million. He also demands for Loan restructuring making the provision of 15 years installments for bank loans and to nationalize all commercial banks and industries owned by Marwari people in Nepal.[22] In March 2023 district administration offices were given noticed by the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to stop illicit activity directed towards banks and financial institutions (BFIs) created by the Durga Prasai nationwide campaign.[23]

Prasai during his first political campaign held in Kathmandu
Prasai during his first political campaign held in Kathmandu, November 2023

On 23 November 2023 he announced a political campaign in Kathmandu titled Nation, Nationality, Religion-Culture, and Citizen Rescue Campaign.[24][25][26]The group also demanded restoration of constitutional monarchy abolishing the federalism and declaration of Nepal as a Hindu kingdom again. Both of these were abolished in 2008. [27] The planned events for Yuwa Sangh and Durga Prasai on November 23 was given a separate venue for demonstration by the District Administration Office of Kathmandu due to concerns over safety and security.[28] However, on the day of demonstration, the two sides clashed, and police intervened to deter the crowds.[29] On the second day of the demonstration, Prasai was kept in unofficial house arrest.[30][31]

[edit]

In July 2018 Prasai was accused (Blame) of defamation after making public remarks implying that female Nepali students in Bangladesh were having affairs with their professors to obtain medical degrees. The National Human Rights Commission received a formal complaint against Prasai from Rajyalaxmi Shrestha, Jamuna Subedi, and Ambika Karki.[32][33][34] The Libel and Slander Act, 2016 and the Some Public (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2027 were invoked to demand severe legal action against Prasai for making such a callous remark, much to the dismay of the parents and female Nepali students studying medicine in Bangladesh.[35][36]

In 2020 a warrant was issued by Bhaktapur police for the arrest of Durga Prasai based on the defamation complaint filed by Shri Krishna Giri, vice-chairman of Medical Education Commission. Prasai had accused Giri of demanding NPR200 million to get approval of affiliation of B & C Medical College at Jhapa. Prasai, counter, filed a case against Giri at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Department of Money Laundering investigation. [37]

On 17 January 2023, Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Dhaka Kumar Shrestha audio tape was leaked where Shrestha was asking Durga Prasai NPR 20 to 30 million for a bribe.[38][39] In the statement, Shrestha claims that Mohan Jung Thapa of the same party and his team asked for NPR 30 million, to make him the health minister in favor of which Shrestha tells Prasai that he would be helping for medical affiliation, once he become the minister.[40][41] On April 9, 2023, RSP chairman Rabi Lamichhane expelled him from the party and later suspended from the Parliament.[42][43][44]

In March 2024, A four-person committee led by the joint secretary of the ministry, established by the Ministry of Home Affairs look into the issuance and extension of a weapon permit to the Durga Prasai under the firearms licensing policy of Nepal's Firearms and Ammunition Act 1962.[45] On March 18, 2024, two of Prasai's personal assistants and support staffs Deepak Khadka and Raj Kumar Dhital, were taken into custody from the Supreme Court's grounds, armed with a semiautomatic rifle and one hundred ammunitions. They were eventually freed by a bench consisting of Nahakul Subedi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel.[46][47]

References

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  1. ^ "Upcoming UML-Durga Prasai showdown puts government on security alert". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  2. ^ "In Nepal, Calls Grow for the Restoration of a Hindu State". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  3. ^ Republica. "Message of Durga Prasai's Rally". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  4. ^ Bagchi, Dishha (2023-11-24). "Pro-monarchy stir rocks Kathmandu, protesters demand Nepal be declared 'Hindu' state". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  5. ^ "Bankers fear Durga Prasai's campaign could encourage mass defaults by borrowers". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  6. ^ Republica. "Durga Prasai vows to liberate debtors as PM Dahal warns of taking action against loan defaulters". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  7. ^ "Durga Prasai owes Rs 5.57 bln to BFIs; yet to pay interest to Kumari and Global". en.nepalkhabar.com. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  8. ^ "Government agrees to grant affiliation to B&C Medical College". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  9. ^ Republica. "Director Prasai claims that govt yet to pay Rs 450 million under insurance scheme to his hospital". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  10. ^ "Takshashila Progressive English School". Takshashila Progressive English School. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  11. ^ "SC mandates affiliation for Durga Prasai's B&C Medical College". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  12. ^ "Supreme Court clears way for Durga Prasai's college to run MBBS classes". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  13. ^ admin (2024-03-25). "SC orders for affiliation to Durga Prasai's B&C Medical College". Desh Sanchar. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  14. ^ "SC directs Medical Education Commission to grant affiliation to B & C Medical College". Nepal Press. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  15. ^ "'हजुरबा–नाति' नातादेखि मुठभेडसम्म". Ukaalo (in Nepali). Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  16. ^ "Cold Tolerant Rice (Oryza sativa) | Himalayan Crops". Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  17. ^ "खाद्य कम्पनीका पसलमा मार्सी चामल किन्नेको लर्को". Online Khabar. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  18. ^ "UML expels Durga Prasai from the party". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  19. ^ Republica. "UML expels its central member Durga Prasai". My Republica. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  20. ^ "UML expels central member Durga Prasai". UML expels central member Durga Prasai. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  21. ^ "UML expels Durga Prasai from the party". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  22. ^ "Durga Prasai forwards 11 points demands, urges abolition of republicanism, federalism". Khabarhub. 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  23. ^ Shrestha, Sajira. "Home ministry instructs CDOs to stay on high alert amid Durga Prasai's mega campaign against BFIs". My Republica. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  24. ^ "Maitighar-Baneshwar stretch prohibited for protests". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  25. ^ "Protest on November 23 is for change of system: Durga Prasai". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  26. ^ Republica. "AWC objects to govt's crackdown on Durga Prasai-led protest". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  27. ^ "Industrialist's Hindu pitch shakes Nepal politics, calls for restoration of monarchy". Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  28. ^ "DAO Kathmandu not to allow concurrent programs by Yuwa Sangh and Durga Prasai at same venue". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  29. ^ "UML youth wing cadres, Prasai supporters clash at Balkhu". Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  30. ^ Republica. "Police deployed at Prasai's residence, supporters allege attempt of detention". My Republica. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  31. ^ Today, N. L. (2023-11-24). "Govt prohibits Durga Prasai from exiting his residence". Nepal Live Today. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  32. ^ "Durga Prasai faces slander charge". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  33. ^ "Administration orders arrest of Durga Prasai on defamation charges – KHUMBULE". Archived from the original on 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  34. ^ "NSU lodges complaint against Durga Prasai at Women Commission". NSU lodges complaint against Durga Prasai at Women Commission. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  35. ^ "Administration orders arrest of Durga Prasai on defamation charges". Khabarhub. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  36. ^ "Arrest warrant issued against B&C executive director Durga Prasai". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  37. ^ "Arrest warrant issued against B&C executive director Durga Prasai". Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  38. ^ Shrestha, Sajira. "SC issues interim order not to implement RSP's decision to sack its MP Dhaka Kumar Shrestha". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  39. ^ Service, Himalayan News (2023-04-10). "RSP lawmaker gets the axe for soliciting bribe". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  40. ^ "Swatantra Party begins probe against its leader Thapa". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  41. ^ "RSP initiates investigation against Thapa after Dhaka Kumar's statement". english.ratopati.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  42. ^ "Dhaka Kumar Shrestha officially loses lower House membership". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  43. ^ "Second audio recording of RSP lawmaker Dhaka Kumar Shrestha made public (With audio)". Setopati. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  44. ^ Republica. "RSP suspends its MP Dhaka Kumar Shrestha after leakage of audiotape of him demanding Rs 20 million from Durga Prasai". My Republica. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  45. ^ "Government investigates Durga Prasai's weapons license issuance". english.ratopati.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  46. ^ "Home ministry forms committee to investigate gun license obtained by Durga Prasai". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  47. ^ "Two bodyguards of Durga Prasai arrested with gun from Supreme Court premises". Setopati. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
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