While giving an orientation to the elected MPs of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Gwarko, Lalitpur, on Wednesday, party president Ravi Lamichhane had warned them, saying, ‘The mother of a martyr is here, be careful. Before you form an alliance with any middleman and have a cup of tea, before you drink a sip of his water, remember the mother of a martyr. The mother of a martyr has entered the parliament by sacrificing her son. This is not normal.’

The mother of the martyr targeted by Ravi is Rachana Khatiwada. She lost her 23-year-old son Rasik Khatiwada during the Gen-G movement on Bhadra 23. Rachana was nominated as an MP from the proportional representation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) . When Ravi was released on bail in the cooperative fraud case, he had reached Babarmahal to meet the families of the martyrs of the Gen-G movement. Rachna broke down while telling her tragic story to Ravi. Ravi, who seemed moved by Rachna's story, also had tears in his eyes at that time. Ravi had also promised to provide justice to the martyrs' families including Rachna. On the recommendation of the same Ravi, Rachna was listed at number nine from the Khas-Arya women's cluster of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) proportional closed list.

When she was nominated as an MP and went to a two-day training program, the video of Rachna hugging Sudan Gurung and breaking down reached many users on social media. On the 23rd, after seeing the body of her son who had been shot by the police, Rachna remained unconscious for many days. 'Sudan Gurung supported us during that difficult time.' He was with us even during my father's funeral,' Rachna had told Kantipur some time ago. That's why she became emotional during her encounter with Sudan.

From housewife to MP

Rachna's home is in Panauti, Kavre. Rachna's family currently lives in Teku, Kathmandu. Two decades ago, Rachna's daily life was spent farming in Panauti.

Her husband Purushottam Khatiwada came to Kathmandu for work. Rachna was raising her children with difficulty. Later, Rachna and Purushottam started living in Kathmandu with their two children. Purushottam was an employee of Nepal Telecom. He used to stay outside Kathmandu more. Rachna, on the other hand, started running a grocery store while raising her two children, Rasila and Rasik (sister and brother).

‘I ran a grocery store for 21 years. With the money we earned through hard work, we built a house, raised our parents and grandparents, and educated them,’ Rachna had said. Rachna had stopped running a grocery store only a few years ago. Rachna’s eldest daughter Rasila was in Australia. Rasik was also preparing to go to Australia.

‘At the same time, my son left us during the 23rd movement. The son who said he would come in the afternoon to make tea never came back,’ Rachna laments whenever she remembers this moment. Rachna was never interested in politics. She only had children and their dreams in her eyes. ‘When the children were snatched away by those in political power. The womb was empty. Even if it is for his justice, I will fight until my last breath,' says Rachna. After the Gen-G movement, Rachna, whether conscious or unconscious, did not remain silent. She kept running from the streets of Kathmandu to the gates of Singha Durbar and Baluwatar. She kept pointing her finger at Prime Minister Sushila Karki in anger. Once, there was a meeting with Prime Minister Karki. Karki was speaking. Rachna's patience to listen broke as she spoke. She said to the Prime Minister, pointing her finger in her emotion, 'You are the mother of the country. I am also a mother. I have come to say that a mother will do justice. Did you do justice?' Karki, holding Rachna, assured her, 'Nani, I will do it gradually.' Give me a chance.’

Rachna had other complaints with the government. She was even more angry that the government could not punish those who killed Santa. Now Rachna has reached Parliament. Rachna says that she is not the only one who has reached Parliament.

She claims that the voices and sighs of the martyred families and the injured are also there. As soon as she was nominated, she was happy, ‘The government did not listen to what I was saying on the street.’ Now I can speak in Parliament.’

Now she has promised to raise a strong voice in Parliament, especially for justice for the injured and the families of the Gen-G martyrs. ‘I will raise my voice against the murderers in Parliament. I will try to get justice for my sons until my last breath,’ she says.