You have probably already come across pieces on porn and alcohol regulations, and on other crackpot theories that Hinduism, patriarchy and capi­talism are responsible for rapes and other criminal activities in the country. Yes, there’s a porn ban in effect and the government is enforcing stricter alcohol con­trol (i.e., making it impossible for alcohol companies to sponsor cul­tural, sports or any other events, to put up billboards or to adver­tise in any media). Not many have dared ask the correlation between porn, alcohol and rapes and other criminal activities. How many rapes are committed because of porn and how many under the influence of alcohol?

 If porn and alcohol led to rapes and crimes then Europe and even Japan would be pretty dangerous places to live—but they aren’t. There are many western countries where you can get porn in cable and you have beer commercials on national TV. Actually you have beer and hard liquors commer­cials in Chinese TV channels, and nobody draws any connection between crimes and alcohol there. Of course, porn is banned in China to prevent the spiritual pollution of its citizens, as the argument goes. But the curious ones can go to any book store and under photography section find books on human body photog­raphy with nude and semi-nude models. Porn is banned but cele­brating the beauty of human body is not. And no, Japan, and China and European countries aren’t any more dangerous than many South Asian countries with porn and alcohol bans.

Now the question is, what made our all-powerful govern­ment make silly decisions that make no sense whatsoever? The real reason that Nepal is becom­ing dangerous is not because of porn or alcohol, but because of politics. Yes, it’s bad governance and corruption that have made Nepal unlivable.

If I know I can pay money or use political and personal connec­tions to get just about anything done, wouldn’t I be emboldened? This is exactly what’s happening. People aren’t afraid to commit crimes because they know their political connections, wealth or their parents will bail them out. The police find themselves help­less. The politicization of police force has made police officers think 10 times before arresting a criminal. When you see people arguing with police officers on the streets, refusing to follow legiti­mate and valid orders, you know the country has issues with how it’s governed.

Don’t get me wrong. Nepal Police is an impressive organiza­tion and its officers are compe­tent. But the political system has thus far not shown any interest in utilizing their skills and trainings to rid the country of crimes and criminals. They have to follow government orders, and the gov­ernment is influenced by party leaders, donors, the powerful ones and who not! The govern­ment sits idle, no matter how seri­ous the charge or how heinous the crime committed by family members and friends and neigh­bors of political leaders and big businessmen. The police then have to ignore court rulings and charges filed against criminals and pretend they do not even see most wanted criminals when everybody else sees them chatting up the prime minister and home minister. The police have to deny any such sighting and sheepishly tell us, “we are leaving no stone unturned to nab the culprits.”

This is it. No porn, and no alco­hol is to be blamed for rape and other crimes. Instead, the govern­ment, if it is serious about safety and security of its people, should stop interfering and influencing police investigations and have a “no exceptions” policy. Crimi­nals, no matter who they be, say, even the president’s son or the prime minister’s daughter, won’t be spared. That would do.