Where criminals make the laws!
Just read this editorial published in today's Republica . DB Karki, the CPN-UML lawmaker, who was caught red-hand by police while taking a bribe, has been sentenced to 20 days in judicial custody by the Special Court and that's all it's going to be. CPN UML is explicit about its reluctance to punish him in any way or even suspend him from party responsibilities and from the post of lawmaker. So, in other words we are going to have a certified criminal as a lawmaker. Oh boy, it feels so wonderful to have a criminal himself make the laws. No wonder our laws are so criminal friendly! And what's more he is among the people drafting the consitution-the supreme law of our country!
You might wonder why CPN UML doesn't punish Karki despite the seriousness of the charge and the circumstances under which he was arrested. Well, it's nothing surprising, it's called brotherhood among thieves. Karki is no different from other politicians of our country, it's just that he got caught. Poor soul! When your alike is in trouble , you don't punish him but help him. And that's what CPN UML is trying to do.
I was, however, surprised to know that CIAA demanded and the Special Court ordered 20 days in judicial custody as punishment for Karki. Ain't that too much? I think they should have slapped his both cheeks for the mistake, made him promise not to behave that way again and let him go. Oh boy, CIAA is too tough on poor souls!!!
And by the way, I am so grateful to Republica for pointing out our lawmakers' miserable conditions:
Most of our lawmakers come from very humble backgrounds-- they, like common Nepalis, struggle to make a living, to send their children to decent schools, and to meet the expectations of their cadres (sometimes this includes financial support as well). We are not naïve enough to assume that had our politicians been wealthier, they would have been less corrupt. But we all must accept that an environment of poverty creates pressures of its own in breeding corruption among lawmakers. One way to address the problem is to reduce the number of lawmakers in the next parliament and increase their salaries and benefits.
Our poor lawmakers make an average of 40 thousand per month whereas we, commoners make on an average of 6900 per month. Isn't that too unfair for the poor lawmakers?? Way to go Republica!! Thanks for bringing out the plight of our lawmakers!!
Anyway, congratulations to all of us for having certified criminals as law makers. It's a rare opportunity for us! My pen friend Paul says, he has never heard of such thing in his country! Poor Soul!!
