Microfinance Victims Warn of Stronger Protests, Threaten New Revolt

Victims of microfinance and financial exploitation have announced that they will further intensify their ongoing movement. At a program held in the capital on Tuesday, they declared new protest plans, saying that even after four years of continuous struggle, they have not received justice.

Maniram Gyawali, Chairperson of the Struggle Committee Against Microfinance and Financial Exploitation Nepal, warned that if their demands are not addressed by Baisakh 2083 (April–May 2026), a national conference will be followed by a new revolt. He also declared that any political party protecting financial brokers and mafias would be chased out from villages.

Senior Advocate Ram Narayan Bidari accused the government and ruling parties of ignoring the voices of the victims and suggested that the struggle must also continue through legal channels. Advocate Krishna Sharma alleged that state mechanisms themselves are being used to exploit poor people, stressing the need for stronger protests.

Kushal B. K.C., President of the National Campaign for Cooperative Depositors’ Protection, expressed anger, stating that even after 36 months of continuous protests, including women and men demonstrating half-naked for justice, the state has turned a blind eye.

At the program, Ramesh Century, head of the youth and cultural department of the committee, presented a 13-point demand paper, calling for an end to high interest rates, unequal loan distribution, and forced collections, while demanding clear government policy. The event was also attended by provincial coordinators, activists, and a significant number of victims.