The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, has raised questions in Parliament regarding the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) enrolling individuals under the age of 18 as party members.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Sunday, Nepali Congress lawmaker Renuka Kauncha said that the RSP was found to have enrolled 35,257 individuals under the age of 18 as party members.
"One statistic has made us very concerned and surprised. Looking at the list of those who have obtained RSP membership, there are 35,257 members who are under 18 years old. This matter, which has been formally announced, has drawn the attention of the Congress," she said.
According to the Constitution of Nepal and the Political Parties Act, 2016, children under the age of 18 cannot be made members of a political party.
"Such an act carries a fine of up to Rs 80,000 and three years' imprisonment. Does this provision not apply to the RSP?" she questioned. "Or is the RSP above the Constitution?"
She further said that children cannot be used for political purposes.
Kauncha pointed out that while the government is preparing to scrap student organizations, including Free Student Unions, on the grounds that students should not engage in politics, it has "enrolled children as members in its own party."
"Is it appropriate to make young students carry the party's bag?" she asked.
