Maoists' threat scraps 'Miss Nepal' pageant

Kathmandu, Aug 7 : The "Miss Nepal" contest which was to be held in Kathmandu has been scrapped after the Maoist female lawmakers denounced the beauty pageant.

The former rebels had emerged as the single largest party in the country's newly-elected assembly and are poised to form the next government.

Girendra Man Rajbanshi, the contest organiser, said: "We had to cancel our programme at the last minute."

Maoist lawmaker Amrita Thapa said the Maoists would not allow an "anti-women" event inspired by "capitalist" elements.

"We won't let the event take place. We don't need such a thing in the new federal democratic republic of Nepal where women are treated as objects of entertainment," The News quoted as her as saying.

"Such contests send the wrong message to society as they emphasise physical beauty rather than intellectual ability," said another female Maoist leader.

ANI