Meaningful Words

Editorial

Wow! It’s getting more and more difficult to make sense of Nepali politics. Having virtually paralyzed parliament, stalemated in-party conflict, perverted the administrative machinery and compromised the judiciary, looks like it’s the army’s turn. A review meeting last week saw defence minister Iswor Pokhrel exchange words with the chief of army staff over the performance army conducted projects. The terminology used was an Urdu proverb which in English (re-Google) comes close to a leopard not changing its spots. It was no surprise that the Chief should meet the Prime Minister later. That a government popularly recognized by now as dirty should voice disgruntlement at an institution such as the Army for its performance at this period should certainly set one thinking. This is at a time when saner people agree that there is an attempt to sully the army’s image by burdening it with such controversially attractive projects as COVID 19 procurements and a fast track construction muddled over such political preliminaries as land procurement and compensations. One does, however, wonder whether these are the only sources of the consternation.
Two opposites are running parallel in Nepali public life. One is the octopus-like reach and grip of partisan politics that has resulted in the partisanization in every field of government. The army is, hopefully, and exception as yet. The other is the increasingly threatened security environs in the country as a direct result of government performance. The army, after all, is the ultimate constitutional repose of national security. To some it, national security will remain perpetually under threat by the blatant manner any constitutional norm has been continually violated. The economy, already in tatters because of non-performance, has been further exhausted by COVID 19. Neighbours and friends have been continually teased and flustered by exasperating prevarications. Floods, landslides and widespread shortages and the virtual absence of an effective delivery machine are stark. Violence and suicides are but two prevalent indicators of romping public frustrations. All these make a dangerous mix for the security of which the army must be very sensitively aware.
Looks like the deputy prime minister, well known for his choice of words as a politician, is a little too aware of the government’s role in this unhealthy mix. Verily, COVID, among others, make sure that the national security challenge mounts. All this, at a time when the system refuses to budge. A professional army aware of its security responsibilities would be alert at this vulnerable timing of the deputy prime minister’s comments. One would guess that our politicians are very sensitive to the vulnerabilities that they have engineered. Equally, guess worthy is that the army should have too. The constitutional crunch and its impact on the security situation in the country are real.

People’s Review Print Edition