Kathmandu: Neel Hira Samaj (Blue Diamond Society), a non-governmental organisation advocating for the rights of sexual and gender minorities, has faced accusations of extravagant spending on a recent Teej festival celebration.

The organisation has reportedly spent over Rs 1.1 million for the event organised at Silver Oak Banquet in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

According to an employee at the banquet, 524 attendances had lunch that day. “The total number of plates served were 524, each costing Rs 2,200.”

This lavish event drew criticism from the SGM community as it came just less than a week after death of Christina, a third gender individual, whose bereaved family was struggling to pay Christina’s medical bills and perform after-death rituals.

Christina from Tanahun, died at the tender age of 31. Pinki Gurung, the BDS president, faced criticism for organising an event extravagantly while the entire SGM community mourned Christina’s death.

Defending herself, Pinki claimed, “Even if Rs 1.2 million was spent, it was for the community. The funds were provided for celebrating the festival. No misuse of funds has taken place.” The money was allocated particularly for the event, she further stated.

The money was received for celebrating the festival, she further said. She instead accused Mayako Pahichan Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), of excessive spending on the recently-held first International Rainbow Tourism Conference.

NTB dismissed these allegations as baseless. Amid the controversy, Pinki reportedly issued threats to Pahichan, a news portal, for publishing articles about the spending and filed a complaint against the media house, accusing it of violating the journalist code of conduct.

The SGM community has raised the question about transparency within BDS. While funds from donors are spent on entertainment, we are forced to rely on donations for the treatment of ailing SGM members,” said a SGM member.