Thousands protest against the Guthi Bill in Kathmandu

In Nepal, thousands of people came onto roads in capital Kathmandu yesterday against controversial “Guthi Bill”. 

The protesters are demanding the government to scrap the controversial bill. Though the Guthi Bill was withdrawn by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation yesterday but protesters are demanding that it should be completely scrapped.

         

Guthis are socio-economic institutions (trusts), both public and private, that fund their obligations from incomes from cultivated or leased land assets. 

Depending on their obligations, Guthis fulfil religious, public service or social roles and could



either involve members from a common lineage, or several.

         

The Government of Nepal had tabled the Guthi Bill in National Assembly, the Upper House of Parliament in April to amend Guthi Act and nationalise both public and private Guthis or trusts and regulate all religious sites under a powerful commission.

         

The local residents of Kathmandu valley, especially ethnic Newar community members are protesting against the controversial bill, claiming that the bill had provisions in favour of land mafias and could be a threat to the centuries-old culture and traditions of Nepal.