Sher Bahadur Tamang (शेरबहादुर तामाङ) is a Nepalese politician affiliated with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML). Born on March 28, 1969, in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal, he has held various governmental positions, including Minister of Health and Population and Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.

Early Political Career

Tamang began his political journey through student activism. In 2040 BS (1983–84 AD), he became the District Committee Chairperson of the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), the student wing of the CPN-UML. He later served as the District Committee Secretary in 2054 BS (1997–98 AD) and became a member of the Bagmati Zonal Committee in 2059 BS (2002–03 AD).

Parliamentary Roles

• Constituent Assembly Member (2014–2017): Elected from Sindhupalchowk-3, Tamang contributed to drafting Nepal’s constitution.

• Member of Parliament (2018–2022): Representing Sindhupalchowk-2, he served in the Pratinidhi Sabha (House of Representatives).

Ministerial Positions

• Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs (March–July 2018): Appointed under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s administration. 

• Minister of Health and Population (June 4–22, 2021): Briefly held the position before a Supreme Court decision invalidated cabinet appointments.

Controversy and Resignation

In July 2018, Tamang made a controversial statement suggesting that Nepali female medical students in Bangladesh were compelled to compromise their honor to obtain their degrees. The remark sparked widespread criticism from political parties, women’s rights activists, and the public. Despite issuing an apology, Tamang resigned from his ministerial post on July 24, 2018, citing moral grounds. He expressed regret for his comments and emphasized his lifelong commitment to women’s rights.

Health Ministry Tenure

During his short tenure as Health Minister in June 2021, Tamang prioritized controlling the spread of COVID-19 and enhancing the national health insurance program. He aimed to make healthcare more accessible and equitable, focusing on expanding testing and preparing healthcare infrastructure for potential future waves of the pandemic.

Personal Life and Assets

Tamang is married to Ushakala Rai, who has served as the Social Development Minister in Province 1. In 2021, he publicly disclosed his assets, which included land in 14 locations (with his wife owning plots in 11 of them), a house in Gokarneshwor Municipality-8, 22 tolas of gold, and shares worth NPR 500,000.

Sher Bahadur Tamang’s political career reflects both his contributions to Nepal’s legislative processes and the challenges arising from public controversies.