Shankar Pokhrel

Shankar Pokhrel
Personal details
Born 1964 (age 51–52)
Bijauri, Dang
Political party Communist Party of Nepal (UML)
Spouse(s) Sujita Shakya
Alma mater Tribhuwan University

Shankar Pokhrel (Nepali: शंकर पोखरेल) (born 1964) was elected as the central secretary of Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)[1] from 1998 to 2008. He was also appointed as Minister for Information and Communications. He has also worked as Kathmandu Valley Committee member of CPN-UML. Pokhrel was elected as Member of Parliament in the legislative election of 1994 from Dang–3. In 2008, he was inducted to the CA via PR system. He had also contested from Dang-4 in the CA Election 2013 representing CPN-UML.[2]


Twitter Racism Controversy

On September 6, 2016, Pokhrel received widespread criticism from Nepalese social media users for mocking Madheshis, based on their skin color in a controversial tweet that many labelled as deeply racist. [3] Madheshis hail from the southern part of Nepal and form about a third of the population of Nepal. For over a year now, they have been protesting against the controversial new constitution promulgated by Communist Party of Nepal (UML), the political party to which Pokhrel belongs.

Mr Pokhrel is considered a prominent anti-Madheshi twitter warrior for his numerous racist tweets over this period of time. This particular tweet by Pokhrel, however, earned him a huge backlash as he resorted to making fun of the "black" skin color of Madheshi people, which offended many social media users.

Later on September 6, owing to some major criticism, Pokhrel removed the tweet and in an interview by a local newspaper claimed that people "deliberately misinterpreted" his tweet. [4] He is yet to issue a public apology.

References

  1. ↑ "UML getting ready for high tech general convention". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Election candidate: Shankar Pokhrel". Ujyaaloonline.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Twitter Racism Controversy". Ratopati News. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "Pokhrel Removes Controversial Tweet After Criticism". Ratopati News. Retrieved 6 September 2016.



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