Is Nepal a Foolish State?

-Col. Jay Mehta

Infact, it is true that Nepal is considered the most “foolish state”. Many political analysts believe that Nepal cannot live to its status as a sovereign state. Sovereignty of the state have been compromised time and again for the better ruling political factions and creating a state without any political boundaries. The country has further been fallen from its economic grace and the Government of Nepal is well known for its unaccounted records to its creditors. It is believed that Nepal is one of the few nations that do not have a credible national accounting and the treasury is said to be monitored and operated by the least knowledgeable authority. This is one of the many facts that Nepal earns its title as “a foolish state”.

The recent political development in Nepal focuses more on establishment than the reality of its nationhood. The Nepalese identity for centuries was protected under a Crown and it was this Crown that enabled Nepal to be independent when most of the subcontinent was colonized by the imperial powers. In the 21^st century, Nepal as a state is considered a “failed state”. India on other hand uses its muscle power over Nepal for its political motives. Many in India believe that Nepal is an external part of India if not an internal part. This proved to be true in many aspects of how Nepal is ruled and operated at the present context. Under the ruling dynasty, it was virtually impossible for India to have its way indirectly in Nepal. The present Republican setup is a grand design sponsored by no other than India and its concerned parties. The Royal Massacre of 2001, which is widely believed, was a grand design of India and other internal factions to influence then Crown Prince Dipendra to commit what was committed and be protected under immunity was proved to be true as thought by many individuals. It was hard for India and other internal factions to get away with the famous monarchy of Nepal without having it destroyed by its own seed. This paved a way to a new Nepal under a security umbrella of India directly. Nepal under the strong monarchy was always feared by many concerned Indian diplomats in Delhi.

India’s policy towards harboring terrorists in its soil was often condemned by many of its neighbors. India refuted to the remarks of its neighbors and at the same time pointed its fingers on Pakistan for harboring terrorist and using it against India. On the other side, India harbored Nepalese Maoists leaders in its soil and supported them to create an environment where India could use its pretext to interfere in Nepalese affairs directly. It is a proven fact that India used its influence on Maoists and had them equipped with weapons and allowed them to use its base against Nepal. The Nepalese Royal Government at that time was very much aware of it and King Gyanendra had called Indian envoy to discuss the matter. After the coup, the King showed his dissatisfaction against India by completely cutting off the Kingdom from the rest of the world and refused to talk to any Indian dignitaries.

On the other hand, the political parties with the help(financially and politically) of Indian government began its revolt against the Monarch. It was to a great surprise that Nepalese could forget Maoists who had killed thousands and began targeting the Crown. The game that India played was significant to bring political parties to power and have it play their interest through political parties. Since Nepal proved to be a “Soft State” in every matter, it failed to protect its statehood. The State gave away easily without enforcing rule of law to few protestors. The people understood that they could bend the government by agitating and blocking roads and transportation to serve their interest without any rationalization. This was seen and practiced by few disgruntled group time and again through out the Kingdom. The Government often gave away easily and also compromised its statehood for its people.

Now since Nepal under the supervision of India is moving towards a new setup, Nepalese land and blood have been compromised. Removing a Crown not only make Nepal more versatile but also very submissive. The Royals in many instances did protect nation’s interest above everything. It also put its Crown and risked it for the nation’s interest. Republican Nepal would be certainly a challenge when there are other ethnic factions in Teria fighting for its independence and now a different war could be waged for another 20 years. Can Nepal handle it under India’s interest and supervision?

The leaders of Nepal time and again have failed to stand by its political principle. It has been used as a toilet paper by the Maoists to have their demands met. Their continuous change of agreements to serve their needs have once again validated Nepal soft stance, and proved Nepal as a “foolish state”.