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The world is under two major threats now—“tech threat” that is challenging sovereignty of nations and impinging on personal sovereign dignity of individuals, and “Religious Radicalism” that could foment civilizational clashes and lead to ethnic cleansing.

A tech battle between China and the US, along with disinformation from big tech and social media have been challenging tech and democratic order. The US, India and the UK—the oldest democracy, largest democracy and the champion of parliamentary democracy—are going to polls in 2024 amid risk of disinformation or influence of AI and ethnic nationalism.

Civilizational clashes fueled by ethnic nationalism in different countries reflect domination of religion over religion, culture over culture, human over human and civilization over civilization. This can challenge social-civilizational or democratic order.

“Hate crimes” embedded in religious beliefs can have spillover effects and cause ethnic war, causing huge losses to civilization, if not handled with utmost rationality. 

The author is a geopolitical analyst 

On Sept 24, former King Gyanendra Shah visited Taleju Bhawani Temple in Bhaktapur, where he was received by a large crowd. The gathering surpassed his previous visits when he was still the monarch, elevating the spirits of royalist forces.

The temple area falls within the territory of the Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party, an orthodox communist group known for its soft spot for monarchy. Amid enthusiastic cheers for the former king, his supporters fervently chanted slogans demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy. Leaders of the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) hailed this assembly as a testament to the growing support and calls for the restoration of monarchy and Hindu state, abolished by the Constituent Assembly in 2008.

Rabindra Mishra, senior Vice-chairperson of RPP, emphasized the political significance of the massive gathering in Bhaktapur through his X (formerly Twitter) post. Mishra, a former journalist, has evolved into a staunch advocate for the reinstatement of monarchy. 

And as economic hardships have fueled frustration among the populace, royalist forces are harnessing this resentment to push their political agenda. They argue that the removal of the monarchy worsened the country’s political and economic situation, making its revival a potential remedy. However, a counterargument questions whether the monarchy, even during its reign, could have addressed these issues effectively, given that over 15 years have passed since its removal.

King Gyanendra, despite his peaceful demeanor after losing the crown, has recently become more active and expressed interest in returning to power. He provides monetary support to royalist parties but maintains distance from direct political involvement.

RPP is the leading advocate for reversing the current political trajectory. Led by Rajendra Lingden, the party secured 14 seats in the national parliament in the last year's election, and has been pushing for pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu agendas 

The party plans to organize protests against federalism, republicanism, and secularism after the Dashain and Tihar festivals.The RPP’s supposed call to arms aligns with mounting criticism of federalism, particularly within the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. 

While some view the large gatherings at the former king’s public appearances as a sign of support for monarchy, others, like Professor Lokraj Baral, caution against equating it with a desire for monarchy’s return. He argues that people are indeed frustrated with the government, but this doesn’t necessarily translate into support for monarchy.

Baral’s reassuring observation hardly offers any consolation amid the extremely divided political landscape, poor governance, and economic crisis. Security agencies, including the Nepal Army, view identity-based federalism as a security threat. They reckon cases of communal violence, particularly in the Tarai region, are on the rise due to identity politics.

There are still risks of communal tensions in eastern Nepal, mainly in Dharan. Repeated clashes between two communities have also been reported in Malangawa, the district headquarter of Sarlahi. 

While the government and major political parties busy themselves in securing their interests, various religious outfits and anti-federal elements are stoking religious and communal discords.

Recently, teachers and doctors across the country are also in protest with their own sets of grievances and demands. Last week, teachers from across the country gathered in Kathmandu protesting the Education Bill registered in Parliament. While the government has reached a tentative agreement with the agitating teachers, a section of teachers are still protesting.

Doctors and medical professionals are also up in arms against an alarming surge in the incidents of assault on their colleagues. The victims of loan sharks and fraudulent financial institutions are also in protest. All these developments show that the state and its apparatuses are not on top of things. Amid all these pressing concerns, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and a number of his ministers are in foreign trips. 

As concerns over the government’s inaction on various economic, social, and political issues mount, public protests are only but expected, says Baral. But he reiterates that the current crises in no way can bring back monarchy.  Observers warn as economic condition worsens and social fabric frays, there is a risk of rogue elements exploiting the public frustration. The RPP seems to be doing the same thing. Same goes for businessperson Durga Prasai who has  threatened to bring thousands of people out in the street after the Dashain festival.

Nepal achieved a historic milestone in T20 international cricket during their match against Mongolia at the Asian Games on Wednesday, becoming the first men’s team to surpass 300 runs. They made this record-breaking score by accumulating 314-3 in their allotted 20 overs in Hangzhou.

This performance surpassed the previous highest score of 278-3 set by Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019.

The attack was led by teenager Kushal Malla, who batted at number three and smashed the quickest T20 international century, achieving it in just 34 balls. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record jointly held by South Africa’s David Miller, India’s Rohit Sharma, and the Czech Republic’s Sudesh Wickramasekara, all achieved in 35 balls. 

Malla, a left-hander, made his Nepal debut at the age of 15 and concluded the innings with an unbeaten 137 off only 50 balls, marking his first T20 international century. He hit an impressive 12 sixes and eight fours. 

Nepal’s batsmen displayed their dominance on a sunny morning at the Zhejiang University for Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field. Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 61 runs off 27 balls, with six sixes. 

But it was Dipendra Singh Airee who concluded the innings in an extraordinary manner against the Mongolian bowlers, smashing an unbelievable eight sixes and an unbeaten 52 off 10 balls. The 23-year-old powerhouse achieved 50 runs in just nine balls, setting yet another T20 world record. His astonishing performance broke the previous record of 12 balls set by India’s Yuvraj Singh against England in 2007, where the all-rounder hit six sixes off the final over bowled by Stuart Broad.

Nepal’s innings of 26 sixes set a new record, surpassing Afghanistan’s 22 against Ireland. Mongolia, on the other hand, were dismissed for 41 in 13.1 overs.
Nepal’s winning margin of 273 runs was the largest ever in a men’s T20 international in terms of runs, surpassing the Czech Republic’s 257-run margin against Turkey in 2019.

Mongolia’s cricket team faced a tough initiation in their first Asian Games. They will need to regroup quickly to face the Maldives as the men’s preliminary rounds continue on Thursday. Nepal, on the other hand, will go up against the Maldives on Saturday.

In the upcoming quarter-final stage of the Asian Games, the preliminary group winners will be joined by cricket giant India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Records

• Highest score: 314/3 (20 overs)
• Highest run rate: 15.7
• Most sixes: 26
• Fastest century: 100 of 34 balls (Kushal Malla)
• Fastest half century: 50 of 9 balls (Dipendra Singh Airee)
• Highest strike rate: 520 (Dipendra Singh Airee)
• Wide margin victory: Defeated by 273 runs

Doctors across the nation have risen in protest against the alarming surge in violence targeting medical professionals and healthcare workers. 

Most recently, an angry mob vandalized property and assaulted a doctor at Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara. The incident followed the death of one Sukmaya Dura (57) from Lamjung in the course of treatment at the hospital. 

Enraged by Dura’s death, an agitated crowd resorted to violence. Their accusations centered on the alleged concealment of the Dura’s condition and suspicions of medical negligence, as they questioned how a seemingly stable patient could pass away so suddenly.

This disturbing trend of violence against medical practitioners has rippled across various parts of the country, with reports of two doctors being assaulted in Hetauda, and another doctor in District Hospital Lamjung suffering a similar fate, all amid accusations of inadequate medical care. Incidents of violence against doctors and medical professionals have also been reported in Butwal, Biratnagar, Chitwan, and Patan, leaving health workers across the country fearing for their lives.

In solidarity with their fellow healthcare professionals and to demand enhanced security measures, doctors in white coats gathered in Kathmandu’s Maitighar Mandala on Tuesday, brandishing placards bearing messages like “Don’t come to the hospital, save the lives of both doctors and patients,” and “Stop violence against health workers.” They demanded swift action against the perpetrators and an end to this vicious cycle.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Medical Association, in a strongly worded statement signed by General Secretary Dr Sanjay Tiwari, condemned these repeated attacks on doctors. The NMA stressed that without justice for these assaults, healthcare providers are left vulnerable and fearful, which imperils the delivery of essential medical services.

To address this crisis, the association has urgently called for a meeting involving hospital directors, resident association officials, and representatives from various specialty societies. Dr Sandip Okheda, president of the National Resident Doctors’ Association, Kathmandu, lamented the demoralization of health practitioners and emphasized that effective implementation of the Security of Health Workers and Health Organizations Act 2010 is vital to curb such violence.

The act stipulates severe penalties for attacks on health workers and health institutions, with those responsible facing imprisonment of up to three years or fines of Rs 300,000, or both. Vandalism of health institutions is equally punishable, with penalties ranging from two to five years in prison or fines of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000, or both. Furthermore, the act ensures compensation for health workers and organizations suffering losses due to such offenses.

An amendment to the act introduced in 2022 also bans picketing, assaulting health workers, obstructing healthcare services, and damaging health institutions. Under the act, health workers and institutions can request immediate security from local authorities in response to threats or violence.

Dr Okheda underscored the urgent need for action against these perpetrators, echoing the growing chorus for justice and safety for those who dedicate their lives to saving others.