Arrest Warrant Condemned for Lawyer's First Cousin Marriage Remarks

Khasokhas, a prominent voice of the Nepali diaspora in New York since 2012, has vehemently denounced the issuance of an arrest warrant for lawyer Bhagwati Pandey "Sheetal" in response to her discussion on the subject of marriage between first cousins during a television interview.

Pandey, who serves as the legal advisor for Khasokhas Nepal edition, participated in a lively discussion with host Dikpal Karki on the talk show "Chiya Guff." In the interview, she cited various research and studies that have highlighted the potential adverse effects of marriage between first cousins, particularly concerning the health of their offspring.

Pandey also extended her apologies to any community that might have taken offense at her remarks.

Nonetheless, a court in Nepal's Bagmati Province issued an arrest warrant against Pandey, charging her with inciting hatred against a specific community.

Khasokhas has decried this arrest warrant as a grave infringement on the freedom of expression and expressed deep concern over the targeting of Pandey for discussing an important societal issue. The editorial team at Khasokhas firmly believes that everyone should have the right to express their opinions, even if they happen to be controversial.

They have called on the authorities to immediately drop the charges against Pandey, advocating for the protection of freedom of speech.

The available research on the effects of marriage between first cousins is unequivocal. Studies have demonstrated a correlation between such unions and an increased likelihood of birth defects, mental retardation, and other health-related problems in the offspring.

Nepal has a long-standing tradition of first-cousin marriages; however, in recent years, there has been a growing awareness regarding the potential negative consequences of this practice.