The Guthi Bill, which was tabled in the Upper House in April, 2019 received fierce resistance by various communities, especially by the Newar community in Kathmandu valley.
Following several controversial alterations, the Newar community, the original safeguards of the several Guthis (social organisations) in Nepal said the changes would erode their indigenous culture and values, some going to the extent of calling it a ‘cultural genocide’.
The Bill was also met with sharp criticism by many lawmakers during a parliamentary session.
The government had proposed nationalisation of all guthis – private and public, enforce new regulations, and entrust a commission to regulate the activities of the Guthis.
