Social Media (S.M.), a new phenomenon has lately become necessary for every strata of society, all over the world. But human beings are getting trapped by its tentacles with each passing day. Its purpose of being interactive digital internet based channel for creation and sharing of information, ideas and interests through virtual communities and networks is not only being misused but same is also gaining immense unnecessary popularity.

SHOULD HAVE CORRECT APPROACH

Not only one can learn something new but can also hone up his/her skills and expertise. However, its forms, such as, instant messaging, blogs, micro blogs, being part of social networking sites, photo, video & hobby sharing sites etc. are being incorrectly chosen. Hence, more and more dependence on it may prove harmful. It may be beneficial, no doubt, but it is also capable of causing a rift in the family as also society and country.

FIVE DAY OLD CRISIS IN NEPAL HAS TO BE SEEN IN THIS PERSPECTIVE.

Vide its ORDER dated September 4, 2025, Government of Nepal had put a ban on two dozen S.M. sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and YouTube for failing to register with their Ministry of Communication & I.T. within the given deadline. Ironically, Tik Tok, the Chinese company was not served any notice nor banned.

While Government of Nepal like any other sovereign Government has stated that the S.M. sites were banned to bring them under regulation, youth protesters of Nepal perhaps without understanding the legal nuances, went on to term it as an attack on their free speech.

To clarify the issue further, the Nepalese Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung had said that the Government was following a Supreme Court ruling which had called for monitoring and accountability of S.M.sites. Not only it was reiterated by P.M. Oli prior to his resignation, THESE WERE TO BE PERMITTED TO RESUME OPERATIONS UPON COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDER TO REGISTER.

The Federal Government had sent a bill to country's Parliament seeking to ensure that such social platforms were not only properly managed but also held accountable.

In addition to asking the concerned companies to open an office in Nepal (fair enough) the bill provides for restrictive rules, including deletion of any post that the Government wants removed, inclusion of 'likes' and 'reposts' as cognisable offences and disclosure of details on users as sought by the Government. (One may ask Whats wrong in asking for it ?)

COUNTRY WIDE CRITICISM

The bill has been widely criticized as a tool for Censorship and Punishing/ Penalizing opponents of the Government who voice their protests on line.It has been also called as an attempt to curb Freedom Of Expression and Violation of Fundamental Rights of already suppressed and mostly poverty stricken Nepalese masses. All this happened before and after uniting under the garb of Gen Z . May be, inspiration came from such unfortunate experiences in other countries.

PASSAGE BACK IN TIME

Erstwhile kingdom of Nepal having a population of 30 millions decided to become a democratic republic in 2008. Movement for such a transition began as early as 1996, the year this writer visited this beautiful country as a coveted member of a Government of India 'Trade' delegation, led by Sri Tejendra Khanna, the then Commerce Secretary to Government of India. One however, did not find any sign of movement or protest either in Kathmandu or in Pokhra.

Upon initial exchange of pleasantries, one discovered that Nepalese speak less during a bi -lateral meeting proper, but invariably stretch the agreed upon time to agree for correct formulation for the 'Minutes'. I had this experience also as a member of Joint Working Group of India & Nepal on Police Co operation & Border matters on six occasions.

As it happens, two parties agreed after agreeing to disagree twice or thrice, AND at last, the Trade & Transit Treaty between two countries was cleared for renewal for three or four years.This brought immense relief to the Nepalese, especially those located along border with Bihar & U.P.

The point which I wish to bring home is that even if something lingered on during Monarchy in Nepal, same nay be quickly resolved if Indian Government was pro- active or at times, dominating. So same caused less suffering to innocent Nepali villagers. As such, they understood their predicament as a land locked country very well.

ROYAL MASSACRE & TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY

In only Hindu country of the world in 2008, end of inconsequential rule of King Gyanendra, a cousin of the former King Birendra, Vir Vikram Shah who was brutally murdered in 2001 alongwith seven family members by his son, the then Crown Prince Paras, turned out to be a relatively quiet affair.

The infamous Royal Massacre that was executed with perfection and "remarkable time management", did not get the attention from the politicians and public of Nepal it deserved. Subjects of slain king certainly looked shocked and helpless.The assailant shot at himself after committing gory murders but managed to survive for three days.

MANIPULATED INQUIRY

Some of the subjects of Nepal expressed doubts about the presence of one or two more murderers inside the royal dining room. Later, a so called Inquiry headed by the then Speaker of Parliament hushed up the matter in favour of Palace. As such, Prince Paras, a flamboyant driving freak would go scot free even after killing innocents on the tourist filled streets of Kathmandu

MOURNING FOR THE ROYALTY

While mourning for their beloved and very popular King at open Cremation Yard next to World famous Tirupati temple as also in the streets of Kathmandu, the common man sobbed and cried but of no avail. They were too upset & scared to raise their voice.

Prince Gyanendra took over the reigns after self inflicted injuries killed the Crown Prince, ultimately. But he was to lose power only after a few years of misrule or chaos. Incidentally when Rana family had ousted the Shah family for a few months, latter had left behind two year old Gyanendra in the Palace, prior to proceeding to Calcutta. Since he sat on the throne for a while, he always had a fervent desire to occupy the throne once he grew up.

Not only he became King eventually but even after transition of Nepal to democracy, he continues to be hot favourite to head the country again.Mostly he tours outside the country but does not forget to give his opinion time and again, while leading life as a private citizen in Kathmandu.

PROSPECTS OF AN INTERIM GOVT

As per media reports, with little bit improvement in Law & Order situation in Kathmandu and major towns, the Army Chief called on Sri Ram Chandra Poudyal, the President and later he addressed the nation (Actually address should have been by the President).The President on his part, has expressed a desire to see formation of a Central Government soon, to be headed by an interim Prime Minister.

Times Now Navbharat T.V. Channel, has indicated rhat the Gen Z group comprising of thousands of agitating youth, which burnt public properties, tyres, vehicles & automobiles, beat up and killed political leaders and carried out arsons of various kinds and very much sustaining the ongoing protests even after ban on Social Media has been lifted, is giving hints for POST NORMAL SCENARIO.

The following arrangement, as and when situation normalises, may Emerge with Co-operation of all concerned :

Country shall have a Titular head in the shape of former King Gyanendra. Whether it would be a British style Constitutional Monarchy or some other arrangement, it is too early to speculate.

Actual active and prime player would be an officiating Prime Minister, say, Balendra (Balen) Shah, the current 35 year old very popular Mayor of Kathmandu. A Civil Engineer by profession, he won election with a thumping majority in 2022. Incidentally, he came to fame while being a Rapper. The TIME magazine of USA put him in the list of 100 Youth Icons of the World. New York Times is also reported to have given him adequate publicity. He aspires to see a Greater Nepal which will include parts of Sikkim, Uttarakhand and H.P.

Name of former first Woman Supreme Court Judge of Nepal, Mrs Sushila Karki has also begun making rounds.

Ravi Lamichaney ,former Minister and head of Nepal Prajatantrik Party, is being favoured by Gen Z to take over as the Home Minister as he is fully familiar/ knows the misdeeds of his former ministerial colleagues. Arrested on the orders of Oli Government on October 18, 2024, he was rescued by the student activists from a jail in Kathmandu on the second day of protests.

Three main parties, namely, Nepali Congress, Nepal Communist Party and Nepal Communist Party (UML & MC) have been proposed to be banned from taking part in elections in future. And within six months fresh elections have been promised to be conducted.

NO POLITICAL STABILITY FOR 17 YEARS

It would be necessary to throw some light on somewhat chequered history of the period from 2008 to 2025. In this long span of 17 years, an average Nepali had the misfortune of seeing 14 Governments (with an average tenure of barely 1.5 years).

There has not been a shred of political stability in this beautiful piece of exotic Himalayan biodiversity, having most breathtaking trails, towering mountains and diverse eco systems.

Instability factor has been clearly visible in civil aviation sector also, with Nepal experiencing maximum number of air crashes in the world.

NEW CONSTITUTION OF 2015

A lot was being expected from the new Constituition, however, it has made no difference, as populace of the poorest country, next only to Afghanistan in South Asia, continues to struggle for a decent living, education and health coverage.Very few would know & understand what is called Sustainable Development.

Common man is compelled to hope against hope. Games of power & authority being played by old and haggard politicians always baffle the youth immensely and their helpless parents.

Spoit brats of big shots of Nepal upon enjoying the bounties of poor country, invariably

look for green pastures in USA or European countries. Donning branded attire they flaunt their egos whenever an opportunity arises.

According to an estimate, about 65,000 young persons leave for India and other foreign countries, such as, UAE on an annual basis, in search of jobs. This is against a backdrop of high rate (over 12.6 %) of unemployment in the country. This is what the Government says. Actual unemployment would be much more.

Have nots either avail of left over benefits in Nepal or find an easy access to India, an erstwhile Hindu country, which became Democratic Socialist and Secular Republic in 1976, but due to designs and machinations of present Government for 11 years, is stuck between Hindutwa and semi-secularism.

SUMMING UP

30 youngsters including children, have been killed and over 450 injured in the senseless violence that has rocked Nepal since 7th September.Three policemen too were lynched while a few thrown into Bagmati river. These speak of extreme anger and deep frustration of common man.

To begin with, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ex-P.M. was badly beaten up and his wife, a Minister too was not spared. Wife of Jhalanath Khanal, former P.M.was beaten and burnt alive. She succumbed to her brutal injuries.

P.M. K.P. Sharma Oli, withdrew order on Social Media prior to resigning on 8th September.

PROTESTERS MAY KINDLY UNDERSTAND THAT A BILL WAS PROPOSED, NO ENACTMENT TOOK PLACE.

Taking four of his Ministers, Oli boarded an Army Chopper. In all, 7 Ministers resigned.While Oli was reported proceeding to Dubai, his Finance Minister was publicly beaten up.

Offices of President, Prime Minister, Parliament and Supreme Court, all were consigned to flames. Parliament building had costed a whopping sum of Rs.5.5 millions. Perhaps on the 2nd day, Army Chief requested the protesters to spare heritage buildings.

They went to trouble spots to Evacuate, Not To Control .

Not only rampant political instability over the years,Inflation and corruption too have touched new heights.43 % population below age of 40 years donot wish to see any old politician as they have sucked blood out of people ever since country got rid of Monarchy.

Incidentally, as per old timers, so many deaths and casualties did not take place in country's movement for democracy.

One by one, elected Governments have fallen in recent past in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and now Nepal. Media is hinting at a Deep State conspiracy possibly perpetrated by U.S.A.If that is the case how come fresh violence has erupted again in France, a country that is ally of USA and has seen four Prime Ministers in one year ?

India is keeping a close watch.Though security has been tightened along Indo- Nepal border and alerts have been also issued by Nepal Police, violent incidents keep happening on both sides of the border with Bihar.

Game of musical chair played by Nepal politicians has to end. Strong urge to grab political power too must come to an end. Power should be linked to responsibility and accountability.Resignations won't suffice.Hardest punishment may have to be given to erring politicians and officials.

New players would come, they would go one day like their brethren in the past, unless there is a fundamental change in the structure and political economy of Nepal.

One Can See Smoke And Black Sky. Path To Peace, Political Stability & Corruption Free Nepal Is Still Far Off.

Alok K Shrivastava,

Ex-Chief Secretary, SIKKIM

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