Submit your Article

Former Speaker Damannath Dhungana was cremated with state honors at Pashupati Aryaghat on Monday afternoon. His sons lit the funeral pyre.

Ministers, high-ranking officials of the Government of Nepal, heads of security agencies, leaders, activists, well-wishers and common people gathered at Pashupati Aryaghat to pay final tributes.

Before being brought to Pashupati Aryaghat, his body was kept at Sano Gaucharan in Gyaneshwor to pay the final tributes.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had offered respects to former Speaker Dhungana, laying the national flag over his mortal remains there.

Deputy Prime Minister duo Prakash Man Singh and Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba among others had reached Sano Gaucharan to pay last tributes.

A Cabinet meeting held this morning had decided to give a public holiday today to mourn the death of Dhungana and cremate with state honors.

Former Speaker Dhungana passed away at Frontline Hospital, Baneshwor on Sunday. He was 83. He had been suffering from liver-related ailment for some time.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has offered respects to former Speaker Damannath Dhungana, laying the national flag over his mortal remains.

The PM reached Sano Gaucharan in Gyaneshwar today and offered his last respect.

On the occasion, PM Oli described former Speaker Dhungana as a multi-dimensional personality with a unique identity and principles in Nepal's parliamentary practice.

"It is necessary to walk on the path the former Speaker has shown, as he was successful in leaving behind a unique influence in the nation's parliamentary practice," he said.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers convened this morning decided to cremate the former Speaker's body with state honors.

Deputy Prime Ministers and other members of the Council of Ministers have also reached Sano Gaucharan to pay their last respect to the former Speaker, who passed away at Frontline Hospital, Baneshwar. He was 83 and had been suffering from liver-related ailment for some time.

The government has decided to cremate former Speaker Damannath Dhungana with state honors.

A Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar, this morning decided to cremate Dhungana with state honors and grant a public holiday today to mourn his demise, informed Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung. 

"It has been decided to declare a public holiday today in honor of former Speaker Dhungana and hoist the national flag at half-mast at all government offices at home and abroad throughout the day", Gurung said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been assigned the responsibility for the management of the state honor.

The meeting appreciated the role played by former Speaker Dhungana in streamlining Nepal's parliamentary system, Spokesperson Gurung said that showing self-respect to the late Dhungana's integrity and ideals would be a true tribute to him.

The meeting expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Dhungana and paid tribute and extended condolences to the aggrieved family members.

Dhungana breathed his last on November 17 (Sunday) at the age of 83 while undergoing treatment at Frontline Hospital in Baneshwor.

Human rights activist and civil society leader Dhungana had been undergoing treatment for liver-related problems for some time. He will be cremated today itself.

The mortal remains of former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana is to be kept in Sanogaucharan, Gyaneshwor from 11 am this morning for homage.

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, leaders of various political parties and people from different walks of life will reach there to pay final tribute to Dhungana.

Former Speaker Dhungana who had been undergoing treatment for liver-related problems for some time, died on Sunday afternoon at the age of 83 at the Frontline Hospital in Baneshwor. Dhungana's body was then kept at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

Dhungana's body will be cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat, after paying homage at Sanogaucharan, his family sources informed.

Meanwhile, Speaker Devraj Ghimire has drawn the government's attention to make arrangements for the last rites of former Speaker Dhungana with state honors.

Dhungana, who has been a lifelong advocate for multi-party system, democracy, peace and human rights in Nepal, also played an important role in restoring peace by ending the armed conflict in the country.

He was an expert on the constitution and the law, who always remained vocal against political anomalies and aberrations.

He became the Speaker in 2048 BS after being elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Kathmandu constituency-2. He has made a great contribution in institutionalizing Nepal's parliamentary system and democratic values.

He was established as the second-generation leader of the Nepali Congress who stood firm on principles, integrity, self-respect and morality and facilitated for resolving political disputes through national unity and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, a Cabinet meeting held this morning decided to give a public holiday today.