It is really hard to believe that Nepal has a democratic government.
By Krishna Giri
Instead of mocking Nepali leaders, this time my thoughts were going towards the country and countrymen. Bulldozed by the political and leadership changes; besieged by living and security conditions; aggravated by the false hope for water and electricity, people are going through exceptional intellectual stress than ever before. The successive government’s governance is being so underprivileged that people are abandoned by every successor. Peace, Rule of law and social harmony amongst diverse societies are fouled by various power centres. I thank God that this country is still surviving and let it remain the same forever. The Prime Minister is talking about waging another civil war. Defence Minister and Chief of Army staff announced series of ambiguous statements. A Madheshi leader is talking about end of Nepal. Janajatis are already declaring their own autonomous regions. Indian Ambassador, once close friend to all parties, is holding secret meetings with former Monarch. Various ethnic groups are recruiting armed combatants to wage war against the state. Few religions elements are already plotting bombs across the country. A Supreme Court judge gets lecture about rule of law and power of people. And now a Pashupati Priest becomes another victim of dirty political onslaught.
My worries at this point of time are neither leaders nor parties but the nation. We have been bombarded by nationalistic rhetoric for some years but hardly anything has been done to keep the aspiration alive. It is really hard to believe that Nepal has a democratic government. If you believe in modern capitalistic democratic society, you would assume at least ruling and opposition parties. We do have parties but may be someone can help me to identify who is ruling and who is opposing. Parties are moving their feet left, right and centre. They trying to grab every opportunity vested by political ego and ambition. In the name of democracy, the country has faced immense undemocratic stirs in the recent past. Abraham Lincoln once said: “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people”. If he was alive to witness the political hysteria in Nepal, he would have regretted the last bit, democracy for the people. And he also once said, “Ballot is stronger than the Bullet”. He would have changed his mind if he was born post Maoist era. Let’s forget about the sincerity of the government towards people, there is no evidence that the government is working for the people. The political backlashes within parties and communities have forced the country to embrace unfortunate economy, security, peace, jobs, affordability, housing etc. The country, which is second richest in hydropower after Brazil, fails to provide adequate electricity in one of the most expensive rate in the world.
The country has lost ground in a verge to collapse. A ‘Fail State’ is not a new term for us any more. These words have been thrown for discussion by numerous scholars for a while. The principal anxiety for people is this- ‘Is the country going to fail’? As a commoner, it is imperative to understand the basics of a ‘Failed State’. A Washington D.C. based NGO, Fund for Peace, defines a ‘Failed State’ as, “A failed state is a state whose central government is so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline”.
All successive Nepali governments in the last decade meet the above criteria and pose enormous threat to the sovereignty of the country. It is expected from an independent country’s government that they exercise genuine control over at least the larger part of their country and population. A state should be capable to cooperate with other states, donors, international communities and govern according to the rule of law, respect international law, and prevent crimes. But government is promoting crimes and violence in the name of YCL, Youth Force etc. Kangaroo courts are still in operation, seized properties are still in Maoist’s control, extra judicial killings and extortion are still going on, hand picked and unqualified people are sitting on the most important and high profile portfolios. These are not the symptoms of good governance and the country is not heading in the right direction even if some people believe the county is in safe hands.
The African Studies Centre, Leiden, in its report released in December 2003, send a chilling threat to the states in a path to fail. The report states, “It should be realized by policymakers that failed states, and particularly the ones that have collapsed, never return to how they were prior to breaking down, even in the event that they do succeed in regaining coherence after a period of failure”. I don’t think a patriot would ever think to lose the history, culture, nationality and identity as whole because of domestic conflicts. These conflicts motivated by political ambitions are causing widespread harm to the entire nation and has jeopardized the national harmony. We should not let the country fail.
Most states fail with internal conflicts and civil wars but that is not only the reason. In some cases, a country may fail because of foreign governments who knowingly destabilize a state by fuelling ethnic warfare or supporting rebel forces, causing it to collapse. We know the role of India during Maoist insurgency leading to the overthrow of the Monarchy. In a recent interview with Kantipur, D.P. Thripathy, an Indian leader who brokered the 12-point understanding with SPA in November 2005, has admitted that Indian elements want to treat Nepal as a colony. Political market is already frenzied by the China’s interest in CPN Maoists government. We need to be alarmed by too much interest expressed by world powers and our neighbours. What we need to understand is, ‘if they succeed, we fail and if they fail, we too fail’.
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Australia
United We Blog 
Comments
100 responses to “Is Nepal Going to Fail?”
Nepal surely seems to be heading toward failure. Its really ironical that the country having gone through the historical elections and paving the much needed outlet to a decade old stalemate, still cant find its way forward.
We already had little hope from most of our leaders as they were the same old bunch, but Maoists provided some glimmer as they were a fresh party. It may be too much to expect things from them overnight, but the fact that they have offered absolutely zero perception of change in these 4 months of coming to power is very disturbing. Infact their refusal to reign in on YCL, return seized properties and continuing to run parallel govt have given more -ve image of them. The whole episode is bringing Pranchana’s leadership ability into question.
To rebel is easier than to govern. The Maoists have so far scored zero in my books. They have all the more reasons to prolong constitution making now.
Good one buddy
Maoist ayepchi sabai lakhapati huncha bhanthiye sojha jantaharu aba kaho babai kera
nepal, a new failed state?
Stop that from being a reality.
Lets say again and again…
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
“AAU RAJA DESH BACHAU”
Bhai FUTE gawar LUTE
aba Nepal ma tehi samaya cha ahile
Raja le PashupatiNath le rakkshya garun bhanthe pahila abata PashupatiNath ma nai attack huna thalyo
Aba chahi bhatwan le nai awatar linu parla jasto cha desh bachauna
Desh Bachaideu Prabhu
Jay Sambho
I totally agree with the sentiment the writer carries.and i completely agree that Nepal is a failed state..I visit Nepal frequently within few months period and In my recent visit i find Nepal is in a total Mess, High inflation. high crime,wrong people governing the country..total lawless state, no one obeys law and order, Police and law force are siting idle.
I asked one police officer why can’t u take strong action against criminals, n crime..y dont’ u beat them as you used to his answer was,” We never know which party he belongs to, some minister will ring anytime and i will be in trouble, if we do they will start protesting and we have to apologize in front of mass even we just doing our job, and same person we beat will be our minister tommorrow so its a big risk so we can’t do anything” …they dont’ wanna take any action, I was parked in durbar marg” I pay the guy (parking attendant) and thinking i will do a right things i asked him” dai can i have a reciept” and he said “i dont’ have it” then i said legally you have to provide me a receipt and his reply was “hami jasto majdur garib lai aba kanun lagdaina aba ta thulo manche le hos garnu parcha” that’s what he said and walked off, i couldn’t do anything i sat n watched if i do anything i woudl be the one creating problem..so this is how the general mentality …how we gonna change this sorts of mentality, the strikes day after day crippling people life, industries are demanded with big pay rise force them the closure, YCL,YOUTH FORCE are running their own law, If you speak up or try to do right things you will be branded “rajabadi” and you’ more likely to be bashed.If you want to live a normal life just shut up and walk away from anything…the problems also arise from politicizing each and every sectors is the cause of failure. incumbent maoist failed,congress failed,UML failed,tari based parties indian traitor what hopes we can have so what is the alternate? who is our saviour? i can’t see any one..i think Nepal had failed and it will keep falling more deeper.Inflation will keep rising, crime and problems r on rise each day.
loosing our identity culture and beliefs.soon we will see our country into not 800 state as some idiot minister says it will definietly divide into 800 country..
I agree with the writer above…as per the definition of failed state
““A failed state is a state whose central government is so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline”.
I think Nepal is already a failed state..lawless state..
saaab ka saab palyaanbadi haru le eha comment thelechhan..afu haru ta desh ma tikna nasakera bhage..aba eha basera rukho sukho khayera baseka lai pani bhaddai chhau???? if u guys really you think good for the country why don’t to come back to clean the shit out here……..
state failed when the war began hallo 15 years ago, then the dark ages came and now stop complaining.
Next election mix it some pashupatinah some neia mafia. some non resident intelligent.
fair representation.
Nepal is successful country only in the eyes of ;
Koirala
Nepal
Dahal
Bhattarai
Gautam
Khanal
etc..etc…goons
afnai bichar,
respect people views and dont blame for those who are in foreign soils. They are not by choice for they are forced to do so. you should thank those patriots who breath for Nepal though they are surviving by foreigners employment. people like you who think they doing great job becuase you just staying in Nepal. thats not it. most of the traitors, criminials, terrorists, murders, live in Nepal too. thats not the answer you looking for are u?
Ma pani modern lahure hu!!!
banduk nabokne lahure
tara aba k ma aba mero desh ko barema sochan pani napaune? tyo mero adhiark khosne ko ho?
k maile YCL join garnu parne ya chanda dinur parne mero desh lai maya garna pani
k ma bidesh basera niswartha afno desh ko maya garna sakdina
malai jawaf chahincah sathi ho..khokro deshbhakti nara haina…afnai bichar jasta nara lagaune ra afu desh ma basera thula kura garne dherai dekhi sakyau…
hami lahure le kasari yiniharulai samjhau ki hamile afno desh pathyeko paisale garda global financial crises le pani hamilai tetti asar gareko chaina
k hami yeti tadha bhayau ki afno desh ko maya pani garna napaune??
HIMMAT CHA BHANE JOSH MA HAINA SOCHERA JAWAF LEKHAU SATHI HO!!!
Oh lahure dai,
you talking as if you trying to save this country by going overseas…not 100% bro
come back and struggle here
28million are surving and im sure you will fit some where
Ohho je,
maile desh bachaye bhanne kura hain kura mero desh bhakti ko ho..k tapai desh ma basera desh premi ho bhane baki desh ka fatah haru chahi k hun ta?
ma desh auchu ra aai pani raheko chu…ma jaba mero pariwarlai pugne kamauch ani ticket katchu auchu…teso garne gareko barasau bhaisakyo…sake barsama ek choti natra dui barsama jasari pani ekchoti janchu…ma kehi ta garkeo chu..mero pariwar lai khushi ta diyeko chu…tapai jasto panimaruwa bhayera bauama ko kahyera ta baseko chainani..aam yuba samuha lai sodhnus ani hernu…kati manche bideshiyeka chan..k ti sachai rahar bideshiyeka hun??haina kar le….
pahile yo sthiti thiyena..aba cha..tysaile majburile bideshiye daju bhai didi baini lai gali nagarnus…sayad hamima tapia ma bhanda badhi desh prem cha
jadau
nepali people just like to go to Yak and Yeti no one goes to the slums and clean out ratshit….under the circumstances I am proud of Nepal
oh ho lahure dai ta risayejasto cha..
how fast man…c’mon bro..i m lucky you dont have guns…modern lahure hahaha
Dhatteri Ohho bhai,,,,
maile ta bekar ma samaya barbad garechu..
timi jasto ketaketi sanga kura garera…
ama ko hath nasamti pisab garna sika ani ani kura garna aau..
badamas phuche
Good bye!!
No more comments
I was waiting for some comments but I dont think any one has guts to do so……..they lost’em’al during Maoist’s insurgency
Yeah…
truly no MORE
Thanks UWB team
I do agree it’s easy to blog, but equally difficult to bring in change..I empathize with the sentiment that people who feel for the nation should really do something about bringing in positive change..ideally staying in Nepal. But then, this is a forum where one is expressing one’s views. Hence this is OK. What matters is each one of us are concerned about the current state of affairs in Nepal irrespective of one’s co-ordinate. This is positive. We must appreciate this and respect each others views.
I don’t think the situation is as bad as calling Nepal a failed state. Yes, situation is grim and deteriorating. However, there are still lots of positive moves one can see in Nepal. I am sure things will improve..New Nepal is in making…we need to have rock solid faith..we need to contribute towards this faith irrespective of where we are based at.
If each one of us start doing a little bit – say just taking responsibility of our own behaviour…I think we will stop having this thought of failed state. We have to remain positive…Maoist or any party is there because of people..people are not there because of these parties..and people make nation…so if Nepal is going to fail..it’s not going to fail because of Maosit or NC or UML or any other party..it’s because of her people…We should not let Nepal fail…we should not let Nepal fail…The sheer thought is so powerful…
NepalUday
If you have to choose good among bad ones, then it is PRACHANDA.
One good sign from him is now he seems to dismantle YCL
and fulfill some of demands of NC. We should take it positive
steps because there is time frame also.
Lets hope something good will happen
Jay Nepal
racism, nationalism are all signs of this corrupted era, unfortunately the tourist who has to clean the toilets, pay the bills and gets spitted in the face because they did not yet learn nepali language does not return.
I hate all nationalisms chauvinisms and racism
but people do what has been done to them the slave mistreats his wife, the children abandon the dog and the country abandons its king and vice versa.
media flourish democracy is alive no money what is new
paisa china
How seriously crazy is GAjurel?
all these big mouths shut them up send them into exile instead of peace process exiled
No
Let’s all be positive.
freedom of speech
jahile pani chhakkajam ra banda garne harulai chahi lattale bhukka hannuparne..asatti mora harulai
water and traffic problems and strikes
freedom
Lets hope we come out of this situation quick. Lets hope this does not become a reality.
If Nepal has become a ‘Failed State’ it also means that the ‘PEOPLE’ have ‘FAILED’.
Isn’t it ironic that every ‘great’ change that has happened in Nepal has been the result of the people standing up and demanding their right.
If Nepal has failed…..then WE have failed.
It’s never too late to right the wrong.
Agree Girije,
we should not let this great nation FAIL
We, people shoudl not let our mother land FAIL
Jay HOS
Nepal Udaya,
I agree with most of your views but I do not agree that people are resposnible if a country fails. You can only blame people if the country has absolute democracy where people exercise their power thro ballots. a country like Nepal which merely had has democracy not only in recent decades but in recent centuries, we can not blame people. for eg, are the people responsible for the governance in North Korea, Cuba, Laos etc. they are not and hence they should not blamed for the consequences. Nepali people do not yet have the previledge to exercise thefull fletch rights of democracy and hence should not be counted responsible for the failure (fingers crossed, let it not happen)
Netaharu fataha hun…
they are responsible and they should be…..
when will peace come in NEPAL??
yi C HO R Netaharulai F ASI de
WE are reponsible ultimately for the failed state! WE elected these people to lead. WE, the people are letting this happen. WE are letting a tiny minority whether YCL, YL, Tarun Dal etc create havoc in our lives. WE need to rise up again–against totalitarianism, fragmentation, lawlessness, instability & insecurity. WE, the people can do it. WE, every man, woman & child needs to come out in the streets as one for NEPAL.
dont blame peopel guys
they are innocent
why this government is not accepted we know democracy means responsability for ones choices. Now let them do the job.
hijo maobadi terrorist thiye..
aja uniharu mero uncle..mama. didi…etc haruchan..
sabai natedar…
nepali politics NATABAD KRIPABAD
hahahahahah what a nation and people
that is a wrong question……….. nepal is already a failed state……………….. the question would be……. can it come out soon enough?……………………..
……………………………………………………….
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……………… this govt. needs to start (now) installing windmills/turbines of 50-100 MW every year for next three years………. otherwise ….. we know what will happen…………….. we cannot depend upon indian energy………..
Nepal is not a failed state. Yes, things are not great and what people have said about the lack of progress is genuine. However, we should not forget that there are many positive things that are happening and the future depends on those positive things being successful.
Today we see bandha, protests, and demands, which is very bad for the economy. But it also shows that in Nepal people still have the freedom to ask for their right. The roots of democracy, which takes a long time to mature, are being developed. Think of a situation where the government struck a deal with the Nepali Army and then started to control every aspect of society. There would definitely be no protest, bandha etc etc, but the freedom would be gone. Imagine if the government started controlling the internet by not allowing forums like this to continue, where people can express their opinion. Hence, it is a trade-off.
Recently Kunda Dixit said in an interview that the attack on Himal Media was a terrible assault on press freedom. But he further added that if this incident were to happen when the civil-war was happening 50 people would be killed as compared to 50 people being injured. So, you see the change–50 injuries as opposed to 50 deaths. There is still room for improvement–but we cannot deny that things are actually getting better. 5 years from now those 50 injuries that happened recently will change in 5 injuries and 5 years later there will be no injuries and so on. Change and development takes time. The popular belief that an election, or any other single act, will change everything overnight, is very naive.
The government can only provide the basic foundations for economic growth, the rest has to be done by the Nepali people. It is useless if we just hope and not act. One thing, I have noticed is that people complain a lot about what is happening, but I doubt the people that complain the most have done anything. Do something and then complain–this applies to everyone. Everything is easier said then done. People working abroad and people that are working in Nepal, who have contributed positively to Nepal, both deserve our equal respect for trying to act and not just leave it up to fate or the government.
well said Kasthamandup….
but the leaders showed us false hopes and they be counted….
people are innocent….
let this country be prosperous…
Very optimistic view from kasthamandup well said congrat mate..but wat the reality is its different…
i know freedom of speech less death..
what about the 16hrs load sheding..daily strike ..strike without any reason..lawless state…division among different group and race, demand of different state based on ethencity, direct intereference of Indian and capturing nepalese land.Indian traitors running the country , high crime rate, double digit inflation rising rapidly,government apointee on basis of connection look @ parchande n baburam close..head of everything.YCL,YOUTH FORCE N TARUN DAL running country on there ideology..if you dont’ belive you are rajabadi,,,and you ‘ l b hacked to death,,beaten badly.what about the issue with tarai n pahade..there is so much division already..education institution are closed all most all the time and kasthamandup i think education is the pillar of success.white elephant CA.trying to give power to incumbent people..nothing Merit based..hey this list continues..n trust me every nepalese in NEPAL or ABROAD are doing some what they can..but we dont’ unite and go against this corrupt incumbent and tratior politicians..we elect them back to office again and again.we r so stuborn we stuck in our own believe and ideology..if someone differ they are our enemy…Its a mess..and I SEE THE COUNTRY as a failed state..probably..hasn’t failed completely as ZIMBAWE but if things doesnt’ get changed soon it will fail completely..but we can c the sign of failed state..probably mild failed ..
Even pashupati nath won’t be able to save this country..and the worst thing is there aren’t any alternate govt they could save this country all are corrupt bast*rds sucks blood from there own mother
if we so call be optimistic as kasthamandup and hope things will get better…we will fail…until people rise against this nothing will change…what input can each nepalese put when they try to speak up or do something good you ‘ll be attacked by so called YCL YOUTH Force politically run gundas..you will be rajabadi..when government…is so messed..with no love for their country and janta take it upto there chin n do nothing…
you trying to avoid reality and trying to focus more on Optimism..
kura thik ho hai sathiho…yo desh lai kehi nahos
lets get to the issues they want to shoot them for
Don’t blame women…..
Women never got chance to rule this country otherwise we could have avoided lot of tragedies
People often say, there would have been no great wars if women were in power
Time has come to surrender the power to women
We wont let this country fail
All these because of crook leaders….and their vested interest….
I am not understanding why we are still supporting and giving heroic status to Girija Koiral, Madhav kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal etc..
a country being run by terrorist, who is still threatening, blackmailing nepalese……………………………. govt. is so weak that they have to beg terrorist ( killing for self defence is another thing, but they are killing unarmed nepalese) to come to talk table . …………………………
………………….. pm himself phones police station to release his terrorist dogs (how are arrested for terrorism)………………………….. govt. releasing terrorist, rapist… in the name of political prisoner (if killers, rapist in the maoist are political prisoner then people killing, raping maoist must be a political prisoner- so you know what………)… ……………………………. this is a country where employers have to be afraid of employee …………….. where locking up others property is considered as political activity, attacking is considered as political activity……………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………. extortion is considered as begging for donation ………..
…………………….. no one know when they will be bitten, killed by criminal groups which is considered as political groups……… ………………………………………