At one time, many political leaders who openly supported Dr. Govinda KC’s movement and expressed their backing through social media now hold responsibilities as members of parliament and ministers. As Dr. KC began his latest hunger strike, the statuses and posts these leaders wrote in support of him in the past have started to go viral again on social media. With these old statements resurfacing, comments and questions are being raised about their current roles.

After Dr. Govinda KC began his 24th hunger strike in Dhangadhi, Kailali on Thursday, demanding reforms in medical education and the overall health sector, especially the statements made in his support by Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MPs have once again become a topic of discussion on social media.

Those who once openly expressed solidarity with Dr. KC’s demands and criticized the then government now find themselves at the helm of power. In this situation, the general public and social media users have started to raise concerns and questions about how they will address Dr. KC’s demands.

During the tenure of the then KP Sharma Oli-led government (Asoj 2077), when Dr. KC went on his 19th hunger strike, current Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel and RSP MP Dr. Toshima Karki, among other leaders, continuously raised their voices in his favor. On July 3, 2018, Pokharel shared a photo with Dr. KC on social media, using the hashtags #IamWithDrKC and #MafiaVsKC, and wrote, “Leaders repeatedly make false promises and ask for votes, and people keep voting for them. But when Dr. Govinda KC repeatedly fights against mafias for the fundamental rights of the people and sits in satyagraha for the people, those same people say, ‘Now it’s too much. How many hunger strikes? Crazy old man. Nothing will happen by going on hunger strike. Just trying to become popular.’ The fight against mafias is not easy; they have the government in their grip. That’s why I say with pride, as long as Dr. KC fights, no matter whom he fights, I will always stand with him. This battle will be won only with the support of the people. Whatever happens, in the end, truth will prevail.”

Looking at other posts Pokharel made on Facebook at that time, it is clear she was openly on Dr. KC’s side. On July 3, 2018, she also quoted Dr. KC and criticized the ruling leaders, writing, “Oli, Prachanda, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, are you leaders of the people or leaders of the mafias? - Dr. Govinda KC.”

Similarly, RSP MP Dr. Toshima Karki, on July 17, 2018, shared a selfie taken with Dr. KC while he was being treated in a hospital bed, calling him a “warrior,” “campaigner,” and “revolutionary.” In a poetic style, using the hashtag #WeAreWithDrKC, she wrote, “Warrior, campaigner, revolutionary... on the path to starting a new era in the history of medical education in Nepal, he is not weak! He will not give up! He will not give up!! He will not leave the battle half-won!! We, 30 million Nepalis, are his strength!!”

MP Dr. Toshima Karki, who had previously expressed direct solidarity with Dr. KC’s movement, has now appealed for him to break his hunger strike and hold talks with the Prime Minister. Karki made a public appeal on social media, stating that since the current government is a servant of the people, there is no need to risk one’s life to warn the government as was necessary in the past. She also informed that she has already drawn the attention of the Education Minister and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to Dr. KC’s legitimate demands for immediate action.

“Sir, a principled satyagrahi like you does not need to risk your life by going on an indefinite hunger strike to warn this government; this government is yours,” Karki wrote. “You can come directly and discuss with the Prime Minister, and you can directly give suggestions to the Education Minister and Health Minister.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel has said that the process of informal dialogue and consultation with Dr. KC has already begun. Speaking to journalists on Friday, she said the government is serious about Dr. KC’s hunger strike and demands.

“Discussions are ongoing regarding Dr. KC’s demands. I myself am a fan and supporter of Dr. KC. Because of him, the Medical Education Act was enacted in the country, unreasonable fees were controlled, and transparent scholarships were established. Even now, the government is in continuous consultation with Dr. KC,” Minister Pokharel said. “The Medical Education Commission has reached the poor. From this year, medical education will begin at Martyr Dasharath Chand University.”

Another RSP MP, Pukar Bam, also supported Dr. KC’s movement. He has said that in 2020, he himself went on a hunger strike inspired by Dr. KC. Similarly, when Bam ran as a candidate from Kathmandu-1 in the 2079 House of Representatives election, Dr. KC supported him.

Old posts by another RSP MP, Ranju Darshana, have also resurfaced on social media. Darshana had also supported Dr. KC’s movement. Just on Thursday, she wrote a status urging the government to begin talks immediately. “I learned that Dr. Govinda KC has started an indefinite hunger strike. Without waiting for the hunger strike to drag on and his health to deteriorate, I would like to request the Government of Nepal to begin talks immediately,” she wrote. “We must all remember once again that, due to Dr. KC’s relentless satyagraha, medical education has begun to decentralize.”