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Every citizen is bound by the law. It applies to everyone from rulers to people. But Durga Prasain has been doing some activities, making statements which have directly violated the law. The government, however, is pretending like nothing is wrong.

Example 1

According to section 15 of the Procedure for use of the National Flag and National Anthem (First Amendment), 2076, it is prohibited to use the National Anthem in an insulting and inappropriate manner. Section 17 of the same Procedure has given the responsibility of monitoring and regulating it to the Chief District Officer.

Recently, Prasain has organized a program by playing Nepal's monarchy-era national anthem, which is a great insult to the national anthem of the country and against the Constitution and law.

Not only that, he had made many such derogatory remarks that could incite violence and disrupt social harmony.

Example 2

Marwadis, who were expelled from Burma (Myanmar), entered Nepal in the 1970s. These 16 families have ruled the Nepalis.

Example 3

(Taking the name of party leaders) has become a problem for all! Because, I am right. Do not mess with the right person. You will be broken into pieces.

Example 4

Let them bring all the women, I will settle the issue by buying a house each to all. My father married seven times. I am not a coward.

Example 5

Your loans up to Rs 2 million will be written off on the night when the system is changed. The next day, you can walk freely.

Political analyst Dr Lokraj Baral said that the activities of Prasain, which have put democracy achieved through much struggle and sacrifices at peril, are objectionable.

He is doing such things just to be viral in social media.

Baral was of the opinion that Prasain became popular among the people by raising their issues.

“Will monarchy be restored just by saying to exempt the interest of bank and financial institutions’ loans and by raising the issues of people’s frustration and dissatisfaction? This is just a strategy to influence the people, I don’t think this will work,” he said.

He suggested that the government should move ahead strongly to control such illegal activities.

Another political analyst Shyam Shrestha said that the illegal activities of Durga Prasain have no meaning.  “His movement will neither change the system nor wipe out the republic,” he said, adding, “The Republic was not only brought by leaders. It was achieved through a great sacrifice and contribution of the people. King was not thrown out of the throne without any reason. It is not that easy to restore the monarchy.”

Prasain started the campaign to not pay the interest on the loans he has taken from several banks, Shrestha said.

His public remarks to not pay the banks loans is objectionable and a challenge to the rule of law.

“The protests can be staged peacefully. The government should pay attention and take stringent action if the protests are organized in a chaotic manner,” Shrestha further said.

Maniram Gyawali, Chairman of the Struggle Committee Against Microfinance Institutions, claimed that the victims of microfinance institutions will not be freed from Prasain who has been advocating for monarchy and Hindu state.

Prasain came to limelight after he hosted a lunch for CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal with Marsi rice, a special variety of rice known for its unique aroma and distinct flavor.

Meanwhile, Yuwa Sangh, the youth wing of the UML, and its founder Mahesh Basnet have come out openly to challenge Durga Prasain who for months have clashed verbally.

After both sides decided to organize a program in the same place (Maitighar), the District Administration Office, Kathmandu has issued a prohibitory order in Maitighar to prevent any untoward incidents.

Cryosphere Call to Action is an open letter for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28), which is meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai. It is a movement to move forward with both urgency and ambition in mitigation of climate change due to the response of various components of the cryosphere, including glaciers, snow, permafrost, ice sheets and sea ice. The message of the cryosphere to global leaders is 2oC too high as global impacts and damage for each tenth of a degree higher, especially for longer periods, will grow well beyond the limits of adaptation.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change with the goal to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris in 2015. However, temperature target of 1.5°C is not just a preference compared to 2°C. Instead, it implies that there is a significant difference between the two, suggesting that aiming for a rise in global temperatures of 1.5°C has distinct advantages and avoiding severe environmental impacts and is more imperative than settling for a limit of 2°C. UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also indicates that crossing the 1.5°C threshold risks unleashing far more severe climate change impacts.

Climate-induced disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, with devastating impacts on people and ecosystems around the world. These disasters include heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires, storms, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and sea level rise. Such events are killing thousands of people each year; causing widespread famine and displacement; destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The 2022 flood submerged one-third of Pakistan, killed 1,739 people, affected 33m people, damaged most of the water systems and economic losses to the tune of $15.2bn (approx). Forty-two people died in the recent GLOF in Sikkim—77 people remain unaccounted for—and damaged hydropower projects, disrupting the generation of 1,200 MW. A flash flood in Mustang in 2023 damaged several houses, bridges and affected farmlands. Besides, the number of cryosphere-related hazards is increasing in the Himalayan region with increased warming in the high mountain region.

Message from the community

International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI), a network of senior policy experts and researchers working with governments and organizations, has released the call for action for Cryosphere for COP28. The summary of the call for action is as follows:

“The irreversible global damage caused by Cryosphere loss is already inevitable to some extent. The message is that this insanity cannot and must not continue. COP28, and December 2023 must be when we correct the course. The Cryosphere, encompassing Earth's ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, polar oceans, glaciers, and snow, is ground zero for climate change. This is primarily due to the straightforward physical phenomenon of ice melting. The warming effect of CO2, predominantly stemming from fossil fuel usage, has already resulted in significant declines in glaciers and ice sheets, contributing to a rise in global sea levels. This phenomenon has also led to diminished water resources due to reduced snowpack, increased emissions of CO2 and methane resulting from thawing permafrost. It is time to carve a line in the snow: Because of what we have learned about the Cryosphere since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, 1.5°C is not merely preferable to 2°C. It is the only option.

The plea at COP28 is for global leaders to acknowledge the stark reality presented by the Cryosphere’s response, asserting that even a 2°C limit is too high. The call is to commit to the Paris Agreement’s “well below 2°C” target, which, in essence, translates to aiming solely for the 1.5°C threshold. If we don’t take decisive action against climate change, the consequences will be severe. Millions of people may be forced to leave their homes due to coastal flooding. We’ll face a shortage of clean water, and the delicate ecosystems in oceans and mountains will be disrupted. This will create long-lasting challenges for future generations. The main issue here is the increasing levels of CO2, reaching unacceptable heights. The scientific community advocates for a comprehensive stocktake with clear guidelines, a pathway to phase out fossil fuels and financial mechanisms to support climate action and adaptation. It’s crucial that we go beyond mere discussion and implement substantial measures to address the far-reaching effects of melting ice. It’s not enough to talk the talk; we must walk the walk.”

Meaning for Nepal

Nepal’s glaciers and snowpack are lifelines for the nation, supplying essential water for drinking, irrigation and hydropower generation. They are acting as a climate regulator and supporting unique ecosystems, including high-altitude forests, alpine meadows and glaciers, contributing to the country’s rich biodiversity. Being rich in cryosphere resources, it is urgent for Nepal to advocate for ambitious and achievable targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, including negotiating for increased financial support in research and development related to cryosphere science and adaptation measures. The funding is crucial for Nepal to understand the impacts of climate change on the cryosphere and develop effective adaptation measures in the high mountain areas. It also necessitates cooperation with other nations on cryosphere protection to learn from shared experiences and adopt best practices. This collaborative approach enhances the effectiveness of cryosphere conservation efforts. Such an effort will enable Nepal to implement the Cryosphere Call to Action effectively.

In this context, the Cryosphere Call to Action at COP28 UAE is a landmark opportunity for Nepal to raise its voice on this issue and address the imminent challenges posed by climate change.

Durga Prasai is a businessman and a rabble-rouser, whose singular mission is to upset the existing political system. Before the government banned TikTok, his rants against politicians, particularly from the CPN-UML—with which he was briefly associated with—were hard to miss. 

Now Prasai is leading a campaign to get rid of the existing political system and restore monarchy and Hindu state. His group is due to organize a mass rally in Kathmandu today. To make this show of strength a success, his group has been working for months setting up an office at Koteshwor, adjacent to the Maoist party office. 

Prasai’s team members claim thousands of people from around the country will be attending the rally. The group has reserved hundreds of private buses to transport the rally participants and booked more than two dozen party venues in Kathmandu Valley for accommodation.  Authorities in Kathmandu are on high alert, particularly after UML’s Youth Wing has also planned to take out a rally of its own. Tensions have been shimmering between Prasai and UML for some time now, and the security agencies are trying hard to prevent them from clashing.  

Prasai has announced that they will continue to protest until their demands are addressed. Their demands are wide, from restoration of monarchy to exemption of bank loans and reimbursement of deposits to the victims of fraud microfinance firms. Sources say Prasai and royalist forces are preparing to organize a series of protests and they have funneled in large amounts of money to keep their campaigns running.  

Organizing a mass rally in Kathmandu is a costly affair. According to one Nepali Congress leader, it costs at least Rs 30 million to organize a mass rally in the Capital city. So, who is funding Prasai? A member of Prasai’s campaign team says Prasai himself will foot the majority of expenses. But this claim is far from convincing, as Prasai himself has stated publicly that he is struggling to pay the interest on the loans he has taken from several banks. 

Some say Prasai organized the campaign with the express purpose of lowering the bank interests which he is unable to pay.  Another source of money for Prasai’s costly campaign is said to be a group of industrialists and business persons who wish to get rid of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government. As Prasai is also campaigning for restoration of monarchy and Hindu state, some royalist sympathizers have also funded the campaign through personal donations. 

Many royalist forces, including some leaders of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, have publicly said that they will be offering moral support for Prasai.  A source privy to Prasai’s campaign tells ApEx that the group has pooled sufficient funds from multiple sources.

Prasai has also amassed a large supporter base by offering them unrealistic hopes. Many of these supporters include the victims of fraud micro-finances, cooperatives and loan sharks. Over the past year, thousands of loan shark victims and people who lost their savings to fraud cooperatives have been staging protests in Kathmandu, pleading with the authorities to help them get their savings back. With the government unable to fully reimburse the victims, Prasai has rallied them behind him by promising to return their lost money. 

Prasai has also pledged to his supporters that loans up to Rs 2 million will be written off if his campaign succeeds. Then there are those people who have been hit hard by the current economic recessions. They too are supporting Prasai, hoping that his campaign will set the country’s economy right. 

It is clear that the people who are supporting Prasai are desperate to get out of their financial predicament. It is also clear that Prasai is simply exploiting them to fulfill his own vested interests. 

Hinting at Prasai, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday said that the government will not tolerate any act of anarchy. 

But Prasai seems bent on carrying on with his way as an agitator. He has also been emboldened by the sheer number of his supporters. It is because of his supporters that Prasai has been delivering provocative and objectionable statements during public events without caring for consequences. 

One particular case involves Prasai making derogatory remarks against the Marwadi community. There is another case filed against him with the Dhanusha District Police Office for playing the old national anthem at a program organized by a Hindu outfit.

Over the past few months, Prasai’s primary target has been CPN-UML and its Chairman KP Sharma Oli. He has made several unfounded allegations against Oli and UML. 

As Prasai has been going after the UML, says one politician, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has allowed him to attack the main opposition party and its leaders. But now that Prasai is organizing a mass rally in Kathmandu, he says the prime minister is fearful that the street protest could go out of hand, even remove him from power.

UML Chairman Oli has blamed the Dahal government for creating a conducive environment for regressive elements. He has sternly demanded the prime minister to either suppress them or quit the government.

A senior Nepali Congress leader claims Prasai is being used by some internal and external forces to bring back monarchy after the Rastriya Prajatantra Party failed to do so.

But some observers say Prasai is popular because there are many people in Nepal who have grown immensely frustrated with the major political parties. Prasai’s anti-establishment position resonates with a large section of the masses. In many ways, say observers, the political parties of Nepal are responsible for creating a figure like Prasai.

On Nov 3, Nepal was struck by a devastating 6.4-magnitude earthquake, centered in Jajarkot within the remote Karnali province. This natural disaster left the nation in urgent need of assistance to rescue victims and provide essential relief materials and shelter. The government swiftly undertook rescue efforts at the epicenter and other severely affected areas by deploying the Nepal Army and other security forces. However, a significant gap emerged in providing essential aid to those most affected, leaving many stranded without proper shelter.

The earthquake claimed the lives of at least 157 people, with nearly 400 individuals sustaining injuries across Nepal and parts of India. The dire situation worsened due to the government’s involvement in petty politics when it came to distributing relief materials. Instead of focusing on impartial aid distribution, the ruling parties showed favoritism by prioritizing their own supporters and cadres. This division in aid allocation further exacerbated the suffering of those already grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Nepal’s immediate neighbors, India and China, stepped up to provide crucial support to the affected areas. Additionally, ambassadors from various nations expressed deep condolences for the lives lost in the earthquake and offered readiness to extend support to Nepal during this challenging time. Collaborative efforts of the neighboring countries and the international community played a pivotal role in assisting Nepal’s relief and recovery endeavors after the disaster struck.

Swift response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to extend assistance to Nepal in the wake of the earthquake. Expressing deep sorrow for the loss of lives and damage caused, Modi tweeted his condolences and pledged India’s unwavering support. “India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is prepared to provide all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

India promptly fulfilled Prime Minister Modi’s commitment by delivering the initial phase of relief materials to Nepal on Nov 5. From the Nepalgunj Airport, two truck-loads of essential supplies, accompanied with a security team, were dispatched to Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim. India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, handed over the relief to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka. The aid package comprised 625 units of plastic tarpaulin and tents, 1,000 sleeping bags, 1,000 blankets, 70 large-size tents, 35 packets of tent accessories, medicines and 48 other assorted articles, among other essentials.

On Nov 6, India continued its support by delivering a second consignment of relief materials for the disaster-affected families. The Deputy Chief of Mission, Prasanna Shrivastava, presented the second consignment to Nepal as part of the ongoing aid efforts. 

In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, India had been the first country to swiftly provide vital support to Nepal. Maintaining this commitment, India remained steadfast in extending comprehensive assistance to Nepal in the wake of the Jajarkot earthquake. Prime Minister Modi reiterated Indian support to Nepal, emphasizing the significance of assisting neighboring countries during times of crisis and how India continues to stand by its neighbors in times of need. 

China, the northern neighbor, also supported Nepal. On Nov 9, two Chinese cargo planes arrived at the airport carrying 600 cotton tents and 4,600 blankets. 

China’s Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, handed over the relief package to Nepal’s Home Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who acknowledged China’s consistent support for Nepal’s economic development and emphasized their assistance during critical times, such as the 2015 earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Chen highlighted the significance of the relief materials, portraying a strong connection between China and Nepal, characterized by shared mountains and rivers, and a bond of mutual assistance. These supplies symbolize China’s commitment to fostering a community with a shared future for all mankind, he said. This crucial support entered Nepal via the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border point, facilitated by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. Additionally, the China International Development Cooperation Agency announced a supplementary batch of emergency humanitarian assistance for Nepal. Furthermore, the Red Cross Society of China offered emergency cash assistance to aid Nepal’s rescue and relief endeavors in the earthquake-affected areas.

During an official visit to Nepal, Communist Party of China’s Tibet secretary Wang Junzheng announced further support for Nepal while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Puspha Kamal Dahal. Also, CPC’s International Department (CPCID) extended support to Nepal through party channels. Leaders from Nepal’s major four parties facilitated the distribution of the materials received thus to the affected regions.

Genuine friendship

India and China, as emerging powers and our neighbors, have demonstrated their unwavering support for Nepal in times of crisis. The immediate assistance provided after the earthquake showcased their genuine friendship and solidarity with Nepal in times of need. The border disputes and conflicts between India and China are bilateral issues that Nepal regards as internal matters of the neighbors. How they navigate and develop their relations with the US is their prerogative, and Nepal can only urge both nations to peacefully resolve their disputes through diplomatic channels.

Nepal perceives India and China not as challenges but as opportunities. Their swift aid during this crisis underscores the importance of regional cooperation and mutual assistance in times of adversities. It's crucial for Nepali leaders to recognize that while Nepal benefits from neighborly support, it’s equally important to ensure respect for genuine interests of the neighbors. 

Shared borders and cultural ties mean disputes can crop up because of close proximity. Prime Minister Modi’s ‘neighborhood first’ policy has consistently supported Nepal, just as President Xi Jinping’s ‘peripheral diplomacy’ has guided China’s support to Nepal within this framework.

Nepal must uphold its national interests and sovereignty while engaging with its neighbors. It’s essential not to display bias in dealings with them. Nepal should adopt a pragmatic approach and openly discuss issues. If there are discrepancies or missteps from either neighbor, Nepal should seek rectification in a transparent manner. Nepal’s stance, whether in protest or support toward India and China, should be guided by specific issues and remain issue-centric.