Are Nepal’s intellectuals selling out?

A debate is unfolding in Nepal concerning the traditional intellectual community's stance on Prime Minister Balendra Shah's unconventional leadership and the ruling faction. The discussion intensified following an op-ed piece and its translation, which suggested a potential shift in allegiance among some intellectuals toward the current government.

This narrative has divided opinions, with numerous articles exploring whether the intellectual community is perturbed by Shah's style or has indeed realigned itself. The recent emergence of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and its electoral success are partly attributed to the perceived inefficiency of older political leaders and past governance failures. The RSP is seen by many as a beneficiary of the Gen Z movement.

However, questions linger about the moral and physical support provided by RSP leaders and cadres during recent uprisings, warranting further investigation. Prime Minister Shah's own actions as the former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, including the late deployment of water tankers during protests and a social media call for public participation, are also noted. A segment of the intellectual community appears to be aligning with the current government, potentially overlooking the context of its formation.

The article points to the KP Sharma Oli-led government's responsibility for casualties on September 8, but also suggests that stakeholders of the Gen Z movement share some responsibility for the violence and devastation on September 9. This is supported by a National Human Rights Commission report implicating several RSP leaders and parliamentarians in violent activities. The author observes a trend where a faction of intellectuals, shifting loyalty, seems to be glorifying past violent activities, reminiscent of the period after Maoist insurgents joined mainstream politics.