KATHMANDU: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has cautioned that the practice of expressing dissent and walking out immediately after the start of parliamentary sessions could prove long-term harmful to the democratic system and parliamentary practice.

He made the remarks during Friday’s House session after lawmakers from the opposition Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) obstructed proceedings right after the meeting began.

“This tendency of staging protests and leaving the House as soon as the session begins could be damaging in the long run to the institutional democratic system and parliamentary norms,” Speaker Ghimire said. “We must all remain conscious of the message we are sending to the future. Parliament is not only a forum for expressing disagreement; it is also a platform for voicing national consensus.”

He further stated that in order to strengthen the federal democratic republic, the House has been moving forward with the process of passing bills directly related to federalism. Therefore, he emphasized the need for serious and constructive debate from all lawmakers.

“Just as in committees, these laws being deliberated in the House also seek rigorous debate from all honorable members,” the Speaker said. “Today, the Right Honorable Prime Minister has sought time to address the House. I urge all members to participate in the session.”