Nepal beauty contest is postponed

Protesters say beauty contests are anti-women (Photo: missnepal.com)

A contest to choose the next Miss Nepal has been postponed indefinitely after women assembly members from the Maoist party criticised the beauty pageant.

The former rebels said they opposed a contest where women were treated as objects of entertainment.

The so-called "Hidden Treasure" contest scheduled for 7 August had been called off, event organisers confirmed.

The Maoists emerged as the single largest party in elections this year but have yet to form a government.

'Anti-women'

"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," Maoist MP Amrita Thapa was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

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

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

Contest organiser Girendra Man Rajbanshi told the BBC: "The event was originally scheduled for 7 August, but we have postponed it for the time being.

"We are currently in the process of holding dialogue with them, so the contest has only been postponed for some time."

The beauty pageant has been criticised by various Maoist-affiliated groups and women activists who have vowed to disrupt it at any cost.

The Maoists are in talks to form the new government, after surprising many by winning most seats - but no majority - in elections this spring.