All Kumaris entitled to child rights: Apex court

KATHMANDU, Aug 19 - The Supreme Court on Monday said all Kumaris can enjoy children’s rights at par with other children. "There are no historic and religious documents that say Kumaris should be denied their child rights guaranteed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child," the court said ...

The Kumaris are part of Newari religion and culture in Kathmandu Valley. There are altogether 11 Kumaris, with every Kumari differing from the other.

Monday's judgment passed by Justice Bal Ram KC and Tap Bahadur Magar was in response to public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Pundevi Maharjan three years ago.

Maharjan argued in the PIL that Kumaris have been deprived of their child rights, including right to school, right to free movement, right to preferred food, in one or another way.

"There should be no bar on the Kumaris from going to school and enjoying health related rights as there are no historical and religious documents restricting Kumaris from enjoying child rights," the court further said.

According to petitioner Maharjan, some Kumaris are also even restricted from free movement. The court said Kumaris should not be treated as bonded-laborers and such restrictions on free movement should not be imposed on living goddesses.

In the meantime, the court also ordered the government to ensure social security of Kumaris after their retirement as they contribute to keep the religion and culture alive.

Advocate Maharjan had claimed in the petition that retired Kumaris are vulnerable in society.

Besides, the court also ordered the government to form a committee headed by a joint secretary at the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation to recommend social security schemes for former Kumaris.