Government Actions Raise Concerns Over Democratic Stability and Prosperity

Nepal's political history has always revolved around two extremes - either extreme instability in the name of democracy, or a ruthless attack on democracy and authoritarianism in the name of stability. Looking back at the history of the last seven to eight decades since the formation of modern Nepal, the Nepali people have deeply suffered from both these curses. The epoch-making aspiration of the current Nepali society is 'democratic stability and prosperity'.

To give shape to this aspiration, the Nepali people, using all their intelligence, wisdom, and capability, have formed a new government under the leadership of Balendra Shah (Balen) and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) with an extraordinary mandate. This mandate is not an ordinary political event. As Prithvi Narayan Shah said, this mandate and government are not 'earned with small troubles'. The Nepali citizens have sought this new alternative standing on the foundation of the failures and disappointments of the old political parties.

The more powerful a government is, the higher the public expectations naturally are. But, unfortunately! In less than a month and a half since the government was formed, the activities that the current government has undertaken have greatly alarmed the common Nepali citizens. The government's recent steps have raised serious doubts as to whether a new autocracy is being born in the name of stability.

The government led by Balendra Shah, formed with an extraordinary majority, has a historic opportunity for democratic stability and prosperity, but the arrogance of power has increased the risk of authoritarianism.

We sincerely wish for the current government to be completely successful. However, in the name of making the government successful, its mistakes and arbitrary actions cannot be ignored. Focusing on these issues, we have put forward seven serious points to draw the attention of the current government, on which the government needs to take immediate corrective action.

• Intimidating Citizens and the Tears of the Homeless

A heart-wrenching scene went viral on social media and YouTube some time ago. A helpless young woman, being evicted from a slum settlement by a bulldozer, said trembling, 'I am afraid of the government.' This might sound ordinary or like a joke. But, according to political philosophy and the principles of state governance, when the helpless citizens of a country start trembling before the government, which is considered their guardian, then inauspicious signs begin in the nation.

No history in the world has considered the situation where citizens fear the government as good. During the Panchayat era, the Panchas would set fire to the settlements of poor homeless people in broad daylight and drive them away. At that time, there was no press to speak, no civil rights, and the homeless had no other option but to cry. Many years after the end of the Panchayat era, today, Balendra Shah's government has displayed the same ruthless Panchayat-style behavior towards the poor and laborers. The street dwellers and homeless have been driven away like refugees or vagrants of another country.

The ban on trade unions and student organizations is a direct violation of the history of the democratic movement and international conventions.

The state does not belong only to the well-dressed and the wealthy. This government must immediately compensate for the humiliation inflicted on the human dignity of the poor. Compensation must be provided for the demolished physical structures and their earnings. The children, the elderly, and the sick, who have been taken to holding centers without alternatives, without preparation, and fed half-heartedly, must be properly managed. Today, the government must assure citizens that 'no one's dwelling will be demolished without providing an alternative.' Yesterday, just because others did politics in the name of the homeless, this government does not have the right to carry out another cruel politics by running bulldozers today.

• Attack on Democratic Heritage: Ban on Unions

The current government's audacity in banning student unions and trade unions is highly condemnable. Trade union and student rights in Nepal are not a gift bestowed by any ruler out of favor. Behind them lies the struggle, blood, and sweat of half a lifetime of my generation and the generation before me.

Bringing ordinances through the 'back door' by bypassing parliament, despite having a clear majority, and distributing appointments to unqualified individuals is proof of the government's undemocratic character.

Does Balen's government want to erase the history of democratic freedom of this country? Is it possible to destroy the legacy of struggle? If the government has made such a decision inadvertently, it must be corrected immediately. If it has been banned intentionally, then the government is heading down a very wrong and dangerous path. Nepal has signed many international conventions related to trade union rights. The government cannot move forward alone by disregarding all these international obligations and democratic norms. Therefore, this decision must be withdrawn immediately.

• Bypassing Parliament: The 'Back Door' of Ordinances and Appointments of the Unqualified

The current government has a clear and strong majority in parliament. The wide 'highway' of parliament is open for the government to enact laws. Even if a law needs to be passed quickly, we have methods and practices to suspend parliamentary rules and make any law within fifteen days to a month. However, the government is running through alleys, bypassing parliament and bringing ordinances, contrary to the fundamental values of democracy. This 'back door' is not fitting for such a powerful government.

Forgetting pressing national priorities like youth unemployment, protection of agriculture and industry, the government is busy collecting customs duties of 100 rupees and intimidating state bodies.

Just as the political parties of the past distributed appointments to their own people, those who came to power criticizing this are now recruiting thousands of people overnight through ordinances. The way unqualified individuals, lacking capacity, qualification, and ethical grounding, are being placed in important state bodies within a month and a half of the government's formation raises serious questions about the government's intentions. The government must step back from its intention to seize the state through ordinances in the arrogance of its majority.

• Tax on Personal Belongings: Economics vs. Humanity

The government's new rule requiring mandatory customs duty on goods exceeding 100 rupees at the border is impractical and inhumane. This rule has been brought with the intention of harassing poor laborers returning with their personal belongings after working for 5-10 years in foreign countries or across the border. On the other hand, the wealthy class bringing a tola of gold faces no restrictions.

State governance is not done merely by looking at technical economics and customs collection graphs. Policies must be implemented only after understanding society, history, tradition, geography, and the joys and sorrows of the poor citizens. This 100 rupee customs policy will seriously affect the historical cross-border relationship between Nepal and India. There is no disagreement that smuggling must be controlled, but the harassment and intimidation of ordinary citizens at border crossings in the name of preventing smuggling must stop immediately.

• Deviation from National Priorities: From Unemployment to Agriculture and Industry

The most pressing and terrible problem in the country today is 'youth unemployment'. Youth unemployment is such a terrible and powerful 'demon' that if the state fails to provide creative work, it will shake the very foundation of the state. If youth are given employment, they can transform mountains, hills, and rivers into development in an instant.

Trying to rule by intimidating state bodies, showing the arrogance of power, and terrorizing citizens is a big mistake.

However, the government's priority has not been seen in job creation. Even in a capitalist country like America, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are openly making policies to protect their domestic industries. We, on the other hand, have not taken any steps to protect our agriculture and industry. The country will not achieve employment just by winning elections. The government has completely failed to stop youth migration, protect agriculture and industry, and ensure access to education and health for all citizens. The deviated priorities will surely put the government in great risk soon.

• Psychology of Intimidating State Bodies

The government seems to have adopted the mentality that 'whatever is done is acceptable if it is in our favor' after coming to power. The government has started intimidating not only society but also the permanent structures of the state. Today, the country's judiciary is terrified. A situation is arising where judges are afraid to make independent judgments. In a purely civil matter like removing slum settlements, the message of 'mobilizing the army' has damaged the country's image internationally.

Trying to rule by intimidating state bodies, showing the arrogance of power, and terrorizing citizens is a big mistake. Many popular people have come to power in Nepal before, powerful governments have been formed, but Balendra Shah needs to understand how they disappeared from the pages of history due to the misuse of power.

• Geopolitical Sensitivity and National Unity

We have sufficient and irrefutable historical evidence that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura are ours. If we did not have evidence, we would have clearly understood from the six-month-long blockade we faced when the constitution was promulgated what India might do to us. The stance taken by governments from Sushil Koirala to KP Oli on this issue was correct, and we fully support the current government's stance on it.

My humble but firm suggestion to Balendra Shah and his government is - do not be satisfied by merely mocking history.

However, the current geopolitical complexity is very intricate. The understanding reached between China and India to make our land (Lipulekh) a trade route has made this issue even more serious. At such a time, the government should not adopt a mysterious path in diplomatic matters. Diplomatic dialogue with India and China should only be advanced by building a broad base of national unity and taking all political parties and citizens into confidence.

In conclusion, this government was not formed solely by the votes of one party (RSP) or Balendra Shah's own members. Supporters of many parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Maoist, and us have voted for this government with the expectation of 'new things and good work'.

I want to recall an incident from around August/September 2076 BS. At that time, the then Prime Minister Comrade KP Sharma Oli was at the peak of power and popularity. It was around 11 PM or 12 AM at night, and I met him and said, 'Comrade! Your personality is declining. You are a great asset to the nation, but Comrade, be careful, your feet are slowly turning backward, moving elsewhere.' However, Mr. Oli, being arrogant with power, dismissed my advice with ridicule. How he fell thereafter and the great price the country had to pay for it, history is a witness.

My humble but firm suggestion to Balendra Shah and his government is - do not be satisfied by merely mocking history. The destiny of any ruler in the world whose feet turn backward and whose arrogance of power increases is no different from that of Mr. Oli. If Balen succeeds by learning from our failures, we will be proud of it. But, if he continues on the path of autocracy against public expectations, the biggest and most expensive price for the fall of this government will have to be paid by our future generations.

There is still time for the government, do not rush, do not panic, and do not show the arrogance of power. Move forward on the path of prosperity by taking citizens into confidence through democratic means, not by intimidating them. This is our serious attention and warning to the current government.

(An article prepared based on the speech given by Ghanashyam Bhusal, Acting Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (United))