Kathmandu, May 26 -- In the ongoing opposition over the proposed Media Council bill, one group, which has often been at the forefront of anti-authoritarian movements in the past, has been conspicuous by its absence-civil society.

Even as political parties and a number of professional organisations are increasingly mounting protests against the controversial bill, which many say is aimed at stifling press freedom, civil society has largely remained in the backdrop.

"This is largely because civil society itself is politically divided," said Sundar Mani Dixit, a medical doctor who has been a vocal member of Kathmandu's civil society. "Those who were involved during the 2006 people's movement as civil society members have managed to get pol...