Governments are frequently arming themselves with a large array of new powers to silence and control the masses they lord over. Here too, new laws are being passed by legislatures and parliaments with high vehemence. Yet, the warning signals are there for all to see. When people’s anger crosses a limit, the exit door opens itself for those in power – as was clearly evident in recent days – first in Japan, where an unpopular government fell; and now in Nepal. The prime ministers, in the eye of a storm, are bowing out. Curiously, in both these cases, the public anger rested mainly around acts of corruption and worsening living conditions for the masses.
Nepal is in turmoil. The Communist government headed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is having an inglorious exit from power. Despite a ban on social media, youths have erupted into the streets, vandalized government properties, set fire to homes of their leaders and are in no mood to relent in their fight against multiple issues. The parliament building, the residences of Nepali Congress as well as of Maoist leaders and several top government functionaries are simultaneously under siege. Nepal has not seen such a huge explosion of anger in recent history. That over 20 protesters have been killed in police action in two days demonstrates the intensity of the popular anger.
In fact, the past 25 years after the assassination of largely popular King Birendra in a palace coup has been a period that saw rival political formations holding power in Nepal but failing to rise to the aspirations of the people. Just a year ago, Bangladesh’s reigning prime minister Sheikh Hasina was packed out of power and sent into exile by mobs of apolitical youths. Around 15 years ago, the Jasmine Revolution prompted by youths on social media unseated the regime in Tunisia, which encouraged others to drive out several other dictatorships in the geographical sector spanning the Middle East and North Africa, under what came to be hailed as the Arab Springs. The present phase, however, is about democracies, starting with Bangladesh, then Japan and now to Nepal, in India’s close neighbourhood.
Outwardly, everything is calm here. The government paints a rosy picture about the national economy, but the common man’s plight is steadily worsening. They are being orphaned while politicians and bureaucrats are on a loot-spree. The per capita income here is among the worst in the list of over 100 nations even while the national economy is showing “impressive” signs. If the poor are not benefited, then what progress are we talking about? Justice is a far cry. The entire governmental system has gone for a toss in recent years. Reforms were a way out to give them new strengths. But India lacked a bold leadership to think anew and act fast. Are the huge swarms of the poor going to remain silent fforever? Time waits for none. What happened in our neighbourhood sends out warning signals to the inept political loud-mouths here too.
