Prime Minister Faces Criticism Amidst Public Debates on Governance and Social Issues

Prime Minister, while reviews, discussions, and criticisms about your government's performance and achievements in the first 100 days are ongoing, a national debate ensued regarding an incident of urinating in a public place. Before that debate could subside, a tragic death resulting from self-immolation following a dispute during the enforcement of the law by the municipal police created intense political debate from the streets to parliament. Meanwhile, the issue of disorderly parking has also been heating up politics and social media.

Instead of viewing the haphazard parking in front of the media house solely as an attack on the free press, why not see it as a message about the hardships disorderly parking can cause to the general public? As the tendency to immediately politicize every incident grows, a serious question arises—where is our thinking and ideology truly heading?

However, the general public will evaluate the government not just based on one or two incidents, but also by comparing it with the performance of previous governments in their first 100 days. They will also remember the human casualties during past movements, the deaths and disabilities caused by accidents due to non-compliance with traffic rules, the bodies returning in coffins after going abroad for employment, and the murders following heinous crimes against women. But the real evaluation of the government will ultimately be done by the public through their votes in the upcoming local and provincial government elections.

Some old party cadres and supporters with long political histories are seen continuously creating protests and a negative environment from Maitighar Mandala to the media and social media, demanding that all problems that have been pending for decades should be resolved within the first 100 days of the government's formation, and that the poor, helpless, or unemployed citizens should not be punished for any act, even if it is against the law.

It is observed that emotional aspects are prioritized over deciding or protesting based on whether the government's every action is lawful. This is making democratic debate more based on emotion than on facts and rules, which can prove challenging for long-term good governance.

The unfortunate thing is that some of these expressions have gone far beyond the limits of democratic decency. Chaotic voices such as "We will start the second Gen Z rebellion", "We will take revenge for August 24th", "We will kill, cut, and drag Balen Shah", "We will set fire to the houses of Ghante and Kharani gangs" have started to be heard. Furthermore, it is never a good sign for democracy when provocative and vengeful expressions come from responsible political leadership to mobilize their cadres.

Letter to Prime Minister Balen

It is not predetermined who will win in a movement. Therefore, no one should be carried away by considering themselves a 'self-proclaimed' winner. The history of Nepal is not so old that political leaders did not have to flee to save their lives even when they had their own state power. On the other hand, some groups in the name of Gen Z rebellion have not yet come under the legal framework. In such a situation, if they incite the public and cause greater unrest or disturbance, who will take responsibility for it?

Therefore, no activity that disrupts the country's peace, social harmony, and tranquility for momentary political gain should be undertaken by anyone, as it will ultimately benefit no one.

The unprecedented wave of public support and votes for you (Prime Minister) and the Rastriya Swatantra Party in the last election has dealt a major blow to the old political parties. It is not unnatural for old structures and the classes benefiting from them to unite to thwart new leadership when a wave of change comes. The path of change is not easy, and it requires strong public support to face the resistance of established vested interests, which you and your government have received.

Even as you (Prime Minister) are continuously facing criticism, pressure, various challenges, and threats, the way you are performing your responsibilities with restraint, patience, and honesty reminds us of the context in Mahabharata where the Kaurava side called Lord Krishna a 'magician or trickster', and in Ramayana, Ravana repeatedly insulted Lord Rama as a 'common man', yet they did not lose their composure. In fact, patience and honesty are the greatest strengths of leadership. If there were such villainous characters even in the Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga, this is Kali Yuga.

You have even been labeled as the 'Kharani Gang'. In some period of history, those who bombed King Mahendra for the establishment of democracy were considered 'revolutionaries', those who hijacked a plane around 1973 were considered 'warriors', and those who took 17,000 Nepali lives were considered 'soldiers of the republic'. Similarly, breaking railings on the streets and burning distribution boxes of telephone lines on the streets were termed 'Leninism and Maoism'.

But when Nepali youth rebel or raise their voice against Singha Durbar, which has become a symbol of corruption and middlemen, a storehouse of misgovernance, darkening the future of millions of youth, and hurting the hopes of the poor and helpless citizens, is it not an injustice to the Gen Z generation to label them as 'Kharani Gang'?

If destruction and chaos had not been made a stepping stone to politics in the past, perhaps Singha Durbar would not have been set on fire. Even today, some groups, with the idea that power can be brought to its knees through the same old path, are seen trying to incite the public by finding minor flaws in lawful actions, distorting events, and spreading confusion.

Some people, seeing your style of work and fearlessness, are calling you "stubborn". Hearing this reminds me of an episode from the Swasthani Vratakatha—Lord Shiva's father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati, insulted Lord Shiva at a great yajna and said, "How can I give my daughter to someone who lives naked in the forest, smears his body with ash, wears tiger skin, has matted hair, and spends his days intoxicated with bhang and dhatura?" Unable to bear such an insult to her beloved, Sati Devi gave her life in the yajna kund. But later, Daksha Prajapati and the gods and goddesses present at the great yajna understood—the one whom everyone saw as 'intoxicated and carefree' was actually the "Lord Mahadeva", the lord of the universe. The lesson that history and epics teach is this—it is not wise to judge someone based on their external appearance, lifestyle, or insulting nicknames. Time itself will decide a person's true worth and contribution.

Prime Minister! If you have taken bold steps such as closing the doors of Baluwatar and Singha Durbar for middlemen, resolving to work from 9 AM to late evening in Singha Durbar, standing against corruption above your family, relatives, and self-interest, not engaging in cheap speeches and inaugurations by visiting districts, establishing the rule of law, making decisions based on rules and laws rather than emotions, and abolishing the employee unions of the political parties that run the country's administration—and if you have done all this while being engrossed in your own way (or, as your opponents say, in a state like 'cannabis-charas intoxication')—then continue to be engrossed in this manner for the sake of the country and the people, so that no fear or temptation can stop your progress.

When a person stands firmly against established malpractices, corruption, and wrong systems, groups uncomfortable with change resort to various nicknames to defame them. Some call them 'mad', some call them 'mandale', and some even call them 'ganjedi' (drug addict). But history determines a person's worth not by the nicknames given to them, but by their thoughts, actions, and character.

History has repeatedly proven one truth—leadership that moves ahead of its time often faces criticism, distrust, and obstruction in the initial stages. Therefore, without being swayed by any criticism, threat, incitement, or conspiracy, proceed firmly with the constitution, law, good governance, and the greater interest of the people at the center. The lifespan of momentary rumors, propaganda, and accusations is short, but the judgment of history is long-term, impartial, and just. Time will make the final judgment of right and wrong.

The public evaluates results over slogans, work over speeches, and character over propaganda. Good habits build good character, good character builds strong character, and that character lays the foundation for capable leadership. Ultimately, the prosperity of the nation, good governance, and the bright future of all Nepalis also depend on that character-driven leadership.

With this belief, if you remain steadfast on your path of duty in a strong partnership like Ram and Lakshman, consulting with your chairman Rabi Lamichhane on every important decision with mutual consultation, trust, and respect, then the current illusions will be dispelled. If you continue to move forward on this path of honesty, good governance, and public accountability, the trust of the people will remain with you until the next election.