12 Hours Relay Hunger Strike by NJA
After the introduction of multi-party system in Nepal in 1990, NJA protested against the Govt. of Mr. K.P. Bhattarai demanding 18 points for the free press in Nepal. The then Government did not respond about the NJA demands. Then NJA decided to organise 12 Hours Relay Hunger Strike at Bhadrakali Temple, Kathmandu, on 10th August, 1990, the first time in the history of Nepal by the journalists. The details of the journalists of NJA who were on 12 hours relay hunger strike are as follows:
1. Mr. Manju Ratna Sakya – President of NJA
2. Mr. Padma Bhakta Kharel – Editor, Chashu Weekly
3. Mr. Madan Sharma – Editor, Swatantra Samachar
4. Mr. Hari Lamsal – Editor, Rastra Bani Weekly
5. Mr. Narendra Prasad Upadhyay – Editor, The Telegraph Weekly
6. Mr. Pitamber Gautam – Editor, Jana Sandesh Weekly
7. Mr. Kedar Acharya – Editor, Bartman Weekly
8. Mr. Pushpa Banskota – Editor, Biswo Awaj Weekly
9. Mr. Devendra Chudal – Editor, Ranko Weekly
10. Mr. Bhim Prasad Shrestha – Editor, Bhumika Weekly
11. Mr. Bhai Raja Pandey – Editor, Dinarambha Weekly
12. Mr. Bhupal Thapa – Editor, Pratibimba Daily
13. Mr. B.K.Bista – Editor, Chakrabyuha Weekly
14. Mr. R.P.Bhattarai – Editor, Nirman Weekly
15. Mr. Chandra Kumar Gadal – Editor, Yug Darpan Weekly
16. Mr. Shekha Abdul Salam – Editor, Yug Byatha Weekly
17. Mr. Salik Ram Shrestha – Editor, Sunlight Weekly
18. Mr. Megha Nath Neupane – Editor, Indra Dhanush Weekly
19. Mr. Gyanendra Pokharel – Editor, Dip Jyoti Weekly
20. Mr. Harihar Prasad Shrestha – Editor, New Nepal Weekly
21. Mr. Hari Gopal Pradhan – Editor, Sudha Weekly
22. Mr. Rajesh Mishra – Editor, Bishwo Deep Weekly
23. Mr. Bed Prasad Ghimire – Editor, Janata Weekly
24. Mrs. Subhadra Kiran Panta – Editor, Takura Weekly
25. Ms. Radha Sharma – Editor, Santwana Weekly
The NJA at the request of the Former Prime Minister Mr. K. P. Bhattarai called off the 12 hours relay hunger strike on 12th August, 1990. The strike was called off after the Former Prime Minister Mr. Bhattarai met Mr. M. R. Sakya, President of NJA, on the premises of the Bhadrakali Temple and assured him to fulfill their demands within a month.
The Prime Minister then offered cold drinks to the five journalists taking part in the fifth round of the relay hunger strike from 8:00 morning.
During the time of the Relay Hunger Strike, all the political parties different political persons, individuals, journalists supported and signed in the Visitors book at Bhadrakali Temple, Kathmandu.