By Our Reporter
Some politicians and lawmakers, heavily influenced by the Western powers have again started raising voices for downsizing the Nepali Army, the only institute that has not been affected by the unstable politics in the country.
Recently, a few lawmakers representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party led by Rabi Lamichhane aired their voices for downsizing the NA force. They mostly argued that downsizing the NA could be a measure to reduce government expenses. However, while airing such views, the new lawmakers of the new party had totally undermined the importance and the public trust in the Nepali Army. Consequently, the lawmakers who spoke about downsizing the size of the NA drew harsh public criticism, prompting them to apologise or clarify their statements. Swarnim Wagle of the RSP had to clarify his controversial statement on NA.
Indeed, the lawmakers guided by the Western powers seemed to totally forget some basic facts about the Nepali Army.
They need to delve into the question that whether the Army is valuable national asset strength, or a wasteful financial burden and a liability.
In a recent survey conducted by Kathmandu University and interdisciplinary analysts in 2022, 91% of the respondents said, “The Nepali Army was the institution they trusted the most”. A response that implies it’s a valuable national asset, by/for the people.
The lawmakers should have suggested controlling corruption and downsising the size of the federal parliament and the provincial assemblies. But they targeted the NA because the Provincial Assemblies were created when the country adopted a federal structure in the foreign design, which sees the NA as a challenge to implement their other agendas.
In the past, immediately after the end of the conflict through the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord, the Maoist leaders had voiced for downsizing the NA, because they saw the NA as the obstruction to their plan to capture the state power, and they were dethroned in 2009 because they interfered in the Army. The Katuwal-Dahal clash finally downsized the Maoists, as the force fell to the position of the third biggest party from the first one in 2008.
Now, it may not be a mere coincidence that the newest party which emerged only after the 2022 elections has raised its voice again for downsizing the NA.
However, recently Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka dismissed the debate of cutting the size of the NA stating that it was inappropriate to reduce the number of personnel in the Nepali Army.
On June 26, DPM Khadka clarified that the NA is an institution dedicated to upholding the constitution and is diligently carrying out its duties by its mandate.
“Our esteemed members are well aware of the constitutional arrangements and provisions that ensure the Nepali Army remains committed to the principles outlined in the Constitution. Therefore, I would like to assert that the size of our Nepali Army and the responsibilities entrusted to it are appropriate, given the diverse range of obligations we face,” he said.
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