KATHMANDU, Aug 14: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam has urged all sides to accept the political agreements reached between the then government and the Gen Z movement.
Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee, Minister Gautam said the government had recognised the Gen Z movement as a people’s movement in accordance with the agreement reached between the Gen Z group and the Nepal government December 11, 2025.
She stressed that the historic political document reached between the government and the protesters should be accepted by everyone.
Gautam warned that declaring a state agreement invalid could trigger renewed unrest and conflict in society, arguing that maintaining peace was a collective responsibility of all.
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She said consensus, cooperation and coordination among all sides were necessary to build a peaceful and prosperous society.
“Political agreements reached after major political changes and social conflicts are legal agreements between two parties,” Gautam said. “Everyone must accept the agreement signed by the then government to return the country to a peaceful path.”
She also recalled that the then government had formally recognised the Gen Z movement as a people’s movement.
At the meeting, Gautam also said prisoners should be engaged in productive activities and that prison management would be reformed based on the recommendations of a study committee formed for an overall review of the prison system.
She said the ministry was working to improve implementation by amending laws based on the committee’s recommendations. She also said the government was preparing to amend the Prison Management Act, 2079, in coordination with the Home Ministry.
According to data from the Department of Prison Management, as of June 25, 2026, there are 26,029 inmates aged between 18 and 59 years. The state spends Rs 135,000 annually per inmate.
According to Minister Gautam, the state has to spend Rs 3.51 billion annually to accommodate 26,029 inmates.
Gautam said instead of merely spending state resources to maintain prisoners, the government should formulate and effectively implement policies aimed at reducing crime, supporting inmates in leading active lives, and engaging them in productive and creative activities.
She stressed the need to create an environment in which prisoners can contribute to social reform, saying appropriate laws and policies should be introduced for this purpose.
