KATHMANDU — Popular Nepali singer and artist Shiva Pariyar has issued a formal public statement strongly objecting to his inclusion in the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission Report, in which he has been identified as an individual who spread misinformation on social media. Pariyar has categorically denied the allegation, asserting that the commission’s conclusion is not grounded in fact and has caused serious damage to his personal reputation and public image as an artist.
Background: A Nation in Turmoil
During the Gen-Z movement of Bhadra 23, 2082 BS, Nepal found itself in an extraordinarily sensitive and volatile situation. As the unrest unfolded, an overwhelming flood of unverified information began circulating rapidly across social media platforms, making it increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to access accurate and reliable news.
It was within this charged atmosphere that the incident at the center of the controversy took place.
The Post in Question
According to Pariyar, on Bhadra 24, he repeatedly encountered a claim circulating on social media alleging that “32 missing persons had been found dead inside the Parliament building.” Troubled by the gravity of the claim and seeking to verify its truth, he posted the following question on his social media account:
“There is news that 32 people who went missing yesterday have been found dead inside the Parliament building — is this true?”
Pariyar has been unequivocal in clarifying that the post was not an attempt to confirm, endorse, or spread any false information. Rather, he states it was a sincere and straightforward question — an exercise of the fundamental right to information guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution of Nepal — asked with the sole intention of determining whether the widely circulating claim held any truth.
Post Removed After Clarification
Following the post, Pariyar received an overwhelming response from his followers, well-wishers, and supporters, through which it became evident that the circulating claim was false and misleading. Recognizing that the post had served its purpose and was no longer necessary, he promptly removed it — an action he says clearly demonstrates that his intent was never to spread misinformation, but only to seek the truth.
Media Distortion and Unfair Portrayal
Despite this, beginning from Bhadra 26 and continuing for nearly a week, several Facebook pages, Facebook groups, and online media outlets began publishing stories about Pariyar that he says grossly misrepresented the nature of his original post. Without making any attempt to understand the context or purpose behind the question, these outlets portrayed him with prejudice and malicious intent — labeling him as someone who had deliberately spread misinformation and confusion during a time of national crisis.
Pariyar contends that the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission subsequently relied on these same one-sided and distorted media reports as the basis for including his name in its report as a spreader of social media misinformation — without conducting any independent verification of the facts.
Impact on Reputation and Official Demand
Pariyar has expressed that the allegation has inflicted serious harm on his constitutional rights as a citizen, his personal dignity, and his standing and reputation as a public artist — leaving him deeply distressed.
In his statement, he has made a formal and respectful appeal to the Government of Nepal and its relevant authorities to:
- Review and reconsider the conclusions drawn on the basis of inaccurate media reports
- Reassess the injustice caused to him by the commission’s findings
- Ensure that no citizen is wrongfully labeled based on distorted or unverified information
Pariyar has also affirmed his full willingness to cooperate with authorities in any capacity should it be deemed necessary. In support of his claims, he has publicly shared the original screenshot of the post in question.
Concluding his statement, Pariyar reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to being a responsible, conscious, and positive contributor to Nepali society — both as a citizen and as an artist. He also extended a heartfelt appeal to the general public to remain vigilant and critical in the face of misleading information circulating on social media.
