Nepal Home Minister discusses national security, religious tensions, and criticism

Inside his Singha Durbar office, Home Minister Sudan Gurung keeps a small clay pot filled with soil from Susta, a border village. This keepsake serves as a constant reminder of the struggles faced by border communities and the importance of national boundaries. "This is soil from Susta," Gurung told Kantipur, explaining that a young activist brought it during a protest, and he has kept it on his desk ever since. "As long as I remain Home Minister, it stays here."

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This is soil from Susta. A young activist brought it here during a protest, and I have kept it on my desk ever since. As long as I remain Home Minister, it stays here.

In an extensive interview, Gurung spoke candidly about national security, religious tensions, police reforms, and riot control, addressing controversies and criticism surrounding his tenure. He acknowledged a public expectation for the Home Minister's personal presence during times of distress, a principle he now embraces. "During times of distress, leadership should be present on the ground," he stated.

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During times of distress, leadership should be present on the ground.

Gurung addressed the recent trouble in the Tarai region, explaining that his initial delay in visiting the site was due to formulating a national-level strategy. He clarified that the incident was not a protest against the government but a clash between local Hindu and Muslim communities that escalated due to extreme aggression. "Because it involved the Hindu and Muslim communities, we were formulating a strategy from the central level to bring it under control," he said. While the Health Minister was already present and injured individuals were receiving treatment, Gurung's ministry was actively planning strategies for public safety.

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Because it involved the Hindu and Muslim communities, we were formulating a strategy from the central level to bring it under control.

He noted that elements attempted to exploit the situation for political gain, which prompted direct dialogue with victims' families. Gurung emphasized the government's active engagement, including meetings past midnight, to ensure public safety and prevent the situation from escalating. "It took some time to prepare a national-level strategy to prevent a small spark from turning into a massive wildfire," he explained. The minister stressed that while leadership presence is important, the government's primary focus was on active planning and ensuring public safety.

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It took some time to prepare a national-level strategy to prevent a small spark from turning into a massive wildfire.