UML Lawmaker Baral Draws Government Attention to Rising Cyberbullying

CPN-UML lawmaker Yashoda Kumari Baral has drawn the government’s attention to rising cyberbullying. Speaking in the House of Representatives meeting, Baral objected to social media posts linking women lawmakers with the Speaker over a normal moment of laughter in Parliament. She said that nearly 90 percent of women lawmakers had been targeted in such posts, and that even lawmakers felt embarrassed by the way the issue was being presented online.

Baral also drew attention to the fact that fuel prices in Nepal have not been reduced despite the decline in oil prices in the international market. She accused the government of applying double standards in Parliament and political activities, saying controversial remarks by the Prime Minister or ministers are defended while questions raised by the opposition on rules are criticized. Baral described the situation as moving toward disorder rather than good governance. However, after she used the word “disorder,” Indira Rana Magar objected, saying the word was against parliamentary dignity and should be removed from the parliamentary record.