As the cricket governing body permits rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to practise, there have been increased calls to boycott the activities that the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) would be hosting.
On Saturday, demonstrators questioned CAN’s decision to add Lamichhane, who is currently out on bail but is being investigated by the police for allegedly raping a minor, to the team while carrying placards at the Maitighar Mandala protest site.
Near the administrative centre, the Singha Durbar, protesters hoisted posters that said, “CAN or CANNOT?” and “Are we safe?
Which is worse: gentleman or mentalman game? “a few others.
Using the hashtag #BoycottCAN, which has gained popularity in the Himalayan nation, users have taken social media by storm in opposition to the cricket governing body.
Hello, Cricket Scotland @CSMOA_ and Cricket Namibia @CricketNamibia1 , could you please boycott the game with Nepal. Our team includes a rape accused player named Sandip Lamichhane . @CricketNep
— Ramesh Bhushal (@RameshBhushal) February 3, 2023
A Twitter user tweeted about the Scotland and Namibian teams urging them to skip the match scheduled for later this month “Please boycott the match against Nepal, Cricket Scotland @CSMOA_ and Cricket Namibia @CricketNamibia1. Sandip Lamichhane, a player on our squad, is accused of rape.
From February 14 to 21, Nepal will host a triangular series as part of the ICC World Cup League 2 at Kirtipur with Namibia and Scotland. After Lamichhane was added to the team for practise, which began on Thursday, there have been increased calls to boycott the games.
The Patan High Court granted bail to the Nepali cricketer on January 13 after he was charged with raping a 17-year-old juvenile on August 21 of last year. The Attorney General’s Office filed a petition with the Supreme Court on Tuesday contesting the judgement of the High Court.
He is the subject of an investigation under Section 219 of the Criminal Code of 2074. If the charges against him are upheld, he will be imprisoned for 10–12 years. The 22-year-old cricketer’s suspension was removed by the national cricket governing body, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), during a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday, and he was added to the 20-member national team camp that was announced on Thursday.
On September 8, the CAN had suspended him after the Kathmandu District Court issued a warrant for his arrest.
“I just feel disappointment, hatred, and anger, and these emotions are actually quite terrible to experience when a national group takes such a stupid step in response to such a delicate matter. #BoyCottCAN “a user Tweeted.
