Nepal PM Criticized for Response to Tarai Unrest

Prime Minister Balendra Shah's handling of recent unrest in Nepal's eastern Tarai has drawn sharp criticism, with the article suggesting the violence was a "rude awakening" for a leader perceived as more comfortable in the virtual world.

The prime minister's actions were limited to security briefings and a televised address uploaded to social media. While the inclusion of Maithili in his speech was noted positively, the delivery itself was described as a "pre-recorded performance" lacking sincerity. The article points to a hesitant delivery, with eyes wavering from the teleprompter, suggesting a lack of preparation and a failure to appear natural, unlike figures such as Barack Obama.

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That it took violence and deaths to extricate Shah out of the cocoon he has woven around himself and start acting like a real leader says a lot about how our country is being governed.

Despite the criticism of the prime minister's delivery, the article acknowledges that hearing their leader speak in their own language might have resonated with the people of the Tarai. The presence of Home Minister Sudan Gurung among the affected population, without the usual trappings of office, was also seen as a potentially meaningful gesture for a population often neglected by the state.

However, the article highlights significant issues that Home Minister Gurung must address to prevent future conflagrations. These include police attitudes and training. Gurung's own statements, defending police actions with remarks like "The security forces have been handcuffed for the past 36 years," are seen as potentially setting a tone for high-handedness, despite his reported quick action to penalize officials responsible for police firing.

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The security forces have been handcuffed for the past 36 years.