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Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah sent shockwaves this week when he ominously threatened to set Singha Durbar ablaze. This fiery outburst followed a confrontation between traffic police and a government vehicle carrying his spouse. After facing widespread backlash, Shah deleted his incendiary social media post and offered a somewhat begrudging apology.

Yet, amidst the chaos, a surprising faction of the population, predominantly composed of impassioned youth, rallied behind his violent online rhetoric to channel their frustration. In another corner of Nepal, Harka Sampang, the mayor of Dharan Municipality, irresponsibly stoked tensions between two religious communities. Instead of acting as a unifying leader, Sampang was accused of taking sides, exacerbating the conflict. 

The precarious state of security in the nation became apparent when an individual armed with a Khukuri attacked Nepali Congress leader Mahendra Yadav on Wednesday. These developments are undeniably troubling.

Frustration has been simmering in society due to the underperformance of mainstream political parties, and leaders like Shah and Sampang, who wield power, are making inflammatory statements that could ignite societal unrest. At this juncture, it becomes imperative for society to subject figures like Shah and Sampang to heightened scrutiny. Their pro-people initiatives are praiseworthy, but their use of online platforms to incite violence must be condemned. Meanwhile the government and mainstream political parties appear deaf to the economic and societal issues plaguing the nation.

Rampant corruption scandals have besmirched the reputation of politicians and traditional political entities, yet they persist in safeguarding their personal and party interests, further stoking public frustration.

Experts say that the recent incident in Dharan should serve as a stark wakeup call for both the state and political parties. It hints at the potential for communal tensions, as certain elements seem to be systematically sowing discord in an otherwise harmonious society. Any communal strife could pose a 

significant threat to national security. 

Regrettably, some of our leaders are exacerbating the situation rather than working to quell it. The nation’s economic crisis is spiraling into a disconcerting abyss. Despite some positive indicators in the external sector, such as increased remittances and a slight uptick in tourism, economic distress is worsening by the day. Foreign direct investment is declining, as is foreign assistance. Business owners are reluctant to secure loans from banks, partly due to discouraging government policies, leading to a troubling trend of capital flight.

Disturbing reports emerged from Janakpur this Wednesday, revealing that over 50 percent of small businesses have shuttered due to the economic slowdown. This crisis extends beyond media headlines; every business, industry, and enterprise is suffering. 

Job creation remains a distant dream, with around 2,000 youths departing for foreign shores every day, either as students or workers. Conversations with college students reveal deep disillusionment about their career prospects and future, with emigration becoming the only viable path toward a better life.

Society is grappling with more profound challenges than our political and policy-makers might assume. Lower-income individuals who entrusted their savings to cooperatives find themselves losing hope of recovering their deposits. They take to the streets in protest, while government promises to refund their money remain confined to paper. Despite legislative measures, the menace of loan sharks continues to prey on vulnerable communities.

Incomes are plummeting, while the prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing, with economists warning of potential inflation. People are poised to endure even greater hardships. Additionally, climate change has ushered in prolonged droughts in the Madhes region, resulting in crop failures that threaten food security. 

India has imposed taxes on rice and other grains and halted the export of certain food items, exacerbating the looming food crisis. Farmers, already grappling with the loss of thousands of cattle due to lumpy skin disease, received government vaccines too late to avert disaster.

As our nation weakens, foreign powers intensify their efforts to gain influence in Nepal, with the tremors of great-power rivalry palpable in Kathmandu. While politicians may perceive calm on the surface, this tranquility may be the prelude to a storm. It is high time for the government and politicians to rouse themselves and address these pressing issues before they erupt into something far more volatile.

Points to ponder

• Violent communication by Balen and Sampang
• Shaky social harmony  
• People’s deposits in cooperatives are not safe
• The issue of loan shark remains
• Farmers are in distress due to diseases and climate change
• Food insecurity looms
• Businesspersons are in panic
• Money is piling in the bank
• Foreign meddling is increasing
• Inflation is going up, people are in distress
• Capital flight unabated 
• Youths are leaving the country

A US Army team has arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the military exercise of the Nepal Army.

Twelver American soldiers under the leadership of American military officer Lim Commnter arrived in Kathmandu today.

Nepal and the US will hold the joint military drills from September 10-29 in Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepal Army said that the joint military drills will focus on disaster management, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance among others.

It has been learnt that a total of 42 personnel— 30 from Nepal and 12 the US will take part in the drills.

The Nepal Army has been conducting joint military exercises with the soldiers of Britain, India, China, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Israel.

Nepali Congress’s student wing, Nepal Students Union, Parsa has demanded resignation of Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

Handing over a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal through the Chief District Officer of Parsa, the NSU, Parsad demanded resignation of Home Minister Shrestha.

Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav was attacked with a khukuri while he was exiting from the Bhrikutimandap-based Reporters’ Club after attending a program on Wednesday.

Saying that the Home Minister failed to maintain peace in the country, the NSU cadres demanded his resignation at the earliest.

Shyam Bahadur Sapkota (47) of Bidur, Nuwakot had attacked leader Yadav with a khukuri.

Yadav, who sustained injuries on his head, is undergoing treatment at the Trauma Center.

In the memorandum submitted by NSU, Parsa President Ramesh Yadva to Chief District Officer Hira Lal Regmi, it has been mentioned that the Home Minister should resign on moral grounds as he has been protecting the criminals and smugglers and has also been failing to maintain peace in the country.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa has sought an investigation into the attack on NC Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav.

Speaking at the Parliament meeting on Thursday, lawmaker Thapa demanded that the government carry out a thorough investigation into the matter and bring out the entire facts surrounding it.

He utilized the forum to raise concerns over the safety of political people while walking the streets of Kathmandu. 

"Some give a threat of arson while some attack with a Khukuri," he said, adding that he wished to see the government's presence in its functioning.

Yadav was attacked with a sharp weapon in the broad daylight in the Capital on Wednesday.

He is undergoing treatment at the National Trauma Center.