With the temporary dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Trump administration, Nepal's intellectual community and the general public have become sharply divided. A significant portion of the population has resorted to criticizing and discrediting individuals and organizations that have received grants from USAID and other international agencies for various projects. The outrage has been further fueled by a statement from Republican Congressman Brian Mast, who claimed that the Biden administration had spent half a million U.S. dollars to promote atheism in Nepal. This allegation has only reinforced existing skepticism, as many believe that most INGOs operate in developing and underdeveloped countries primarily to serve their own vested interests - whether by promoting atheism, fueling communal conflicts, or exploiting natural resources.
It is evident that many INGOs operating in Nepal have a core mission of promoting Christianity, particularly among deprived communities. The steady rise in the Christian population and the proliferation of churches across the country serve as clear evidence of this reality. Article 26 of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees an individual's right to freely profess, practice, and protect their religion according to their beliefs. However, missionary organizations, often operating under the guise of development agencies, are actively influencing and altering the religious convictions of people, particularly those from marginalized communities and rural areas.
Christianity is spreading at an alarming rate in Nepal. While individuals are free to practice or change their religious beliefs based on personal conviction, a significant portion of the Nepali population remains impoverished and lacks access to essential state facilities. For many, survival takes precedence over religious choices. Missionaries often take advantage of this vulnerability to execute their mission. However, the blame does not lie solely with the missionaries but with the government, which has failed to address the socio-economic hardships that make people susceptible to such influences. Driven by the personal interests of certain political figures, Nepal’s leadership turns a blind eye to foreign religious and social encroachment, allowing it to continue unchecked. The current state of Nepal can be compared to the colonial era in Africa and South Africa when indigenous polytheistic cultures that were closely connected to nature, ancestors, and cosmic forces, were overshadowed and suppressed by Western influences.
It is the primary responsibility of the state to monitor and regulate the activities of foreign aid agencies, ensuring that they do not violate the essence of the constitution. In addition, the government must take decisive steps to guarantee that the fundamental needs of the people are met, as mandated by Nepal’s constitution. If these measures are effectively implemented, foreign aid will not be able to undermine our indigenous identity.
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Defaming literary community
The impact of USAID's dismantling appears to have extended to Nepal’s most influential literary community. With an already fragile reading and writing culture, unfounded rumors surrounding foreign aid-sponsored literature threaten to further erode Nepal’s literary consciousness. As an author, it is disheartening to see the names and portraits of leading Nepali writers being defamed on social media. Even influential public figures are sharing such objectionable posts without verifying the facts or applying basic common sense.
A fitting example of this injustice is the defamation of Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya, fondly known as the Maha duo. The semi-literate social media crowd has been relentless, disregarding the immense contributions this pair has made toward communal harmony through their socially conscious and humorous skits. Despite always acknowledging external funding in the credits of their projects, they are being baselessly accused of being influenced by foreign interests. The same mistreatment extends to other literary figures who have produced some of the most iconic works of our time. Such baseless attacks are unacceptable. The relevant authorities must ensure that the literary and artistic community is protected from unwarranted abuse.
Applying for and receiving external grants to execute projects - whether literary, social, scientific, or artistic - is a common practice. The primary concern should not be the grant itself but the integrity of the project’s content. A fundamental principle is that a project should remain independent of the donor's influence. Before making sweeping accusations, it is crucial to critically examine the literary and artistic works of individuals currently under the line of fire of social media. Moreover, it is the government's responsibility to monitor the content of projects funded by external sources. Nonetheless, the literary community should not be unfairly targeted solely based on the grants they receive.
In fact, more than individual literary figures, government agencies regularly receive external funding for various initiatives. Even Nepal’s Constitution was significantly shaped by international funding, as numerous meetings and seminars of the Constituent Assembly were sponsored by international organizations. Notably, it has been publicly stated that both the then Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly were unaware of certain provisions - such as the inclusion of secularism - before the Constitution was officially promulgated. The social media community should highlight these issues rather than pinpointing the literary individuals. As the popularity demands responsibility, the social media influencers should realize their civic responsibility and should provide their opinions based on facts and not on prejudice.
A personal note
The defamation of prominent literary figures based on the grants they have received has become a growing concern for me. As an author, I understand firsthand how exhausting the process of writing a book can be. The real struggle begins when trying to get your book published, especially for a debutant author. Those who have not gone through this journey often fail to realize that no one hands you easy money and opportunity to write and publish a book. The moment an author finally signs a publishing agreement after rigorous efforts is one of the most rewarding experiences. Globally, only 1-2% of submitted manuscripts actually secure a publishing contract.
I am proud to have recently signed a publishing deal with a leading Indian publishing house for my debut novel, A Nepalese Odyssey. However, amid the ongoing uproar on social media, I fear my work might be unfairly labeled as an externally funded project simply because I have lived in Germany for many years and my book will be published by an Indian publisher. Such baseless remarks on a person’s intellectual work can be deeply demotivating to the author. Therefore, my humble request to social media users and influencers is to act responsibly. A small slipup on your part can have a profound impact on society. Let us choose to act with positivity. The world is truly beautiful.
