KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised serious alarm over Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s recent remarks ahead of a planned demonstration by pro-monarchy groups, warning that such provocative statements could incite conflict and undermine democratic values.

In a press release issued Monday, the NHRC objected to PM Oli’s public statement during a party training event on Sunday, where he said Kathmandu should be “under the control of CPN-UML from 11 AM to 2 PM on Jestha 15 (May 29).”

The remarks, made in response to the Royalist Joint People’s Movement Committee’s announced protest, have sparked widespread backlash, particularly on social media.

Calling the Prime Minister’s language “directive and confrontational,” the NHRC emphasized that such statements run contrary to the principles of human rights and the rule of law.

“It is the government’s duty to uphold peace and security,” the Commission stated, “but incitement from the country’s top leadership threatens democratic order.”

NHRC spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel stressed that all individuals, parties, and groups have the constitutional right to peaceful protest and free expression but warned that no one should issue remarks likely to provoke violence or confrontation.

“Freedom of expression must not come at the cost of peace and human dignity,” he added.

The Commission urged all political actors to show restraint and avoid inflammatory language, and appealed to security agencies to maintain calm and protect public safety during the upcoming protest in the capital.