By Babbler

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) government completed six months in office last Tuesday. We believe that morning shows the day. Judging by the government’s performance so far, it appears that although the RSP has brought new faces into politics, they are, in many ways, new faces carrying the same old political luggage. They are merely bottled in the same old bottles and are no different from the leaders who previously held power.

Moreover, our experience so far suggests that these new faces are becoming even more authoritarian than their predecessors. There is a sense of fear in town, with people wondering who will be arrested and when. Police have arrested businessmen, bankers and others on what appear to be weak grounds, only for the courts to order their release, stating that there was no need to keep them in custody.

Just last week, police arrested former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana without an arrest warrant and, reportedly, without formally charging him. He was released the following day without even having his statement recorded.

There are many pressing issues that need the government’s attention. Yet the main focus of some ministers appears to be creating fear and making political stunts rather than addressing the country’s substantive problems.

Protocol and Dress Code Matter

Protocol and dress codes reflect the civilisation and rich traditions of a country. Nations establish certain formalities and conventions to be observed on official occasions. To maintain such standards, governments have protocol departments headed by a chief of protocol and supported by designated officials.

Which dress should be worn at which function and how officials should conduct themselves on formal occasions are generally guided by established national practices and regulations. Particularly during the monarchy, officials and political leaders were highly conscious of protocol and dress codes. Unfortunately, after the restoration of multiparty democracy, political leaders gradually began to disregard established protocol and dress conventions.

Now, RSP ministers, including Prime Minister Balendra Shah, are often seen wearing what appears to be an informal and inconsistent mix of clothing in official settings. Ministers have been seen taking formal photographs with foreign diplomats in casual attire in the ministry. Prime Minister Shah has also been seen in formal occasions and also during foreign visits wearing a T-shirt, pants, a coat and white shoes.

Dress alone does not define a nation’s identity, nor does formal attire determine the quality of a government. But official protocol and appropriate conduct carry symbolic importance, particularly when national representatives meet foreign diplomats and leaders.

If ministers are unaware of, or indifferent to, established protocol, official decorum and Nepal’s national identity, what should the public expect from them in representing the country at home and abroad?

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

History does not repeat itself exactly, but it seems to repeat itself in similar forms.

In 1851, after returning from his visit to Britain, Jang Bahadur Rana arrested and imprisoned his own brother, Badri Narsingh Rana, accusing him of conspiring against him, plotting to assassinate him and seize state power.

One hundred and seventy-five years later, in 2026, immediately after returning from his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Balendra Shah arrested and interrogated Cholendra Shumsher Rana, from the Dhir Shumsher branch of the Rana family, accusing him of plotting to bring down his government.

Fortunately, Balendra Shah did not keep him in detention for long and released him after just 12 hours.

At that time, Jang Bahadur had been informed against by his own brother Bam Bahadur. Who informed against whom this time, one wonders! Whoever it was, the informer appears to have been rather weak.

Bishnu Rijal

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Nepal’s politics has never spoken the language of its citizens. Nepal’s bureaucracy has never truly served its citizens. Nepal’s judiciary has never delivered justice to its citizens. That is why, when politicians, bureaucrats or judges are arrested, it is extremely difficult to decide whom to support and whom to oppose.

Since Sudan Gurung became Home Minister, it has increasingly begun to seem as though, in Nepal, the only people considered criminals are those who oppose him.

Muma Ram Khanal

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He drank heavily, became intoxicated, and when he was told to arrest Cholendra, he arrested him. The next morning, when the alcohol wore off and he was told to release him, he released him!

Such a comment does not suit the government of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which commands a majority. Chairman Lamichhane should perhaps be the one to say so.

Binod Neupane

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We sought a system of government suited to the country’s circumstances. The institution that loves this country and is indispensable to it is the monarchy.

None of us wants to die as former Nepalis; we want to die as Nepalis. For that, the monarchy is indispensable.

The current republican and democratic system is not suited to Nepal’s soil. The 1990 Constitution was excellent.

A new system and constitution were imposed at the direction of foreigners.

Actor Ramesh Upreti

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I was stunned to see the miserable state of Kathmandu’s domestic airport. At 7:00 a.m., the main entrance was closed, leaving passengers outside in confusion. When it finally opened, the first “security check” was conducted in great haste and was merely nominal. The queue for the second “security check” stretched all the way to the counter area. The whole process was chaotic.

This raises serious questions about passenger security. On top of that, it caused extreme delays in flights. Who will take responsibility? Or will we continue to turn a blind eye?

Sameer Mani (A) Dixit, PhD

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Unable to arrest the former Chief Justice for lack of evidence and unable to arrest GB Rai, the government has now arrested Durga Prasai to satisfy its thirst for making arrests.

Gyanendra Shahi

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Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha.