The country’s political situation is extremely fluid. Following the Gen Z movement of September 8 and the subsequent crackdown, widespread speculation and uncertainty have arisen regarding the events of the next day, September 9, which nearly pushed the nation to the brink of collapse. Doubts and suspicions also persist about the groups that turned the peaceful Gen Z protest on the 8th into an attack on the Parliament building. Even after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation the next day, there are now studies and assessments underway regarding the plans and preparations made by those who carried out arson attacks across the country. Unless there is a serious investigation into these activities aimed at rendering Nepal a failed state, there is a clear danger that the nation will slide into darkness. It has already been a month since the formation of the government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, which replaced the Oli government within 36 hours. Despite an initial appearance of stability after the change, the situation remains uncertain. If this government fails to focus on holding elections on time and investigating the excesses committed during the protests, the situation may become even more complicated. The government should concentrate on conducting elections and move toward resolving major issues after the polls; otherwise, it will not be able to fulfil its responsibilities.
Equal attention must also be given to those who took advantage of the protests to engage in arson, vandalism, and looting. If such impunity continues to be encouraged, stability will never come to Nepal. If anything can be done in the name of protest, there is no guarantee that other groups will not be inspired to do the same in the future. After all, the state exists to maintain peace and order and to ensure that everyone can live securely. Attacking and punishing people by enforcing “street justice” is a Taliban-like tendency. Events and video footage released afterward suggest that the widespread arson and vandalism carried out under the guise of protests were prepared months in advance. It now appears that there are attempts to turn Nepal into a playground for complex geopolitical games. For years, Nepal has maintained a neutral position, aligning itself against no nation. However, the changing and increasingly complex global order has placed countries like ours in a more difficult position. Therefore, Nepal must strengthen itself to safeguard its national interests effectively. The fact that even internal unrest reflects foreign interests and involvement is a worrying sign. It is not in our national interest to be drawn into international power games. In the past, Nepal has paid special attention to the sensitivities of both China and India. However, in recent years, the strategy of playing proximity and distance cards with various countries has begun to show negative consequences. We are not in a position to align closely with one country against another. Every nation has its own challenges, and our principle should be to let each country handle its own. Nepal’s diplomacy should be managed accordingly. Unfortunately, diplomacy has become a subject of mockery, particularly amid reports of selling high-ranking positions. It is clear that distributing and selling major national posts will have serious long-term consequences.
Therefore, based on recent developments, Nepal must now define its future diplomatic direction. Equal attention should be paid to elements working to destabilise the country. In reality, efforts to weaken Nepal in one way or another have been ongoing. The recent attacks on key state institutions—the Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, the Parliament, and the President’s Office—and the failure to protect them have raised grave concerns. No political party or institution seems to have taken responsibility for preventing the nation from descending into such instability. Weakening the country in this way will repeatedly invite serious security challenges. It will discourage investment, create fear of living here, and increase the risk of attacks at any time—none of which will lead to positive outcomes. The need of the hour is to restore normalcy and bring the situation under control. The current crisis is a result of past impunity. If present instances of impunity are also ignored, they will give rise to future challenges. The country’s institutions must be restored and revitalised, and ending impunity is equally essential. The current government must focus on these priorities and take responsibility for leading the nation toward peace.