Monk Or Monkey?

Bini Dahal

TikTok, a Chinese video-based social site, has established itself as everyone’s favourite in no time. The TikTok craze remains quite high in Nepali society as well. Many have earned fame and riches, thanks to it. However, not just human beings, animals too have become a part of all this.  

A monkey has lately gained popularity in the news media. This monkey, named Pawan Baba by its owner, apparently is considered to be the reincarnation of God. According to caretakers, the animal was brought over from India by a sage. So, people have now begun visiting the location just so that they can receive blessings from the caged animal.  The blessing here could be in any form - caressing or pulling of hair. 

As per onlookers, the caretakers say something to the animal and it immediately begins showing different behaviours. And people are more than happy and satisfied to receive such a signal. I was surprised when I watched a video where a young man was utterly disappointed for failing to receive a blessing from the monkey.

His reason for trying to get the blessing is just so that his brain could develop even a little.  Many have reached there out of curiosity and strong religious belief after finding the monkey on the social site. 

I could not help but laugh at this irony. Our strong affinity towards traditional religious beliefs has blurred the lines of rationality. Thus the perception: why work hard when all you need is a monkey’s blessing? We fail to understand the underlying selfishness of the owner. He is basically trying to cash in on the poor animal and we like a fool have supported this idea. Many are also trying to gain popularity by making videos on the same.

What is truly sickening is the caging of the monkey. As an animal, it has the right to live in a free environment without any kind of control. However, neither the owner nor the TikTok fans would be bothered about this. Experts say that monkeys that have lived closely with humans are bound to imitate certain behaviours, similar to that of humans. So, whatever it does is not something amazing or magical. 

Rather than magnifying the incident, authorities like the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the police and animal rights activists should immediately look into this. Many visitors have been found complaining that the caretakers only allow those, who give a certain amount of donations, to get close to the monkey. Else, others are not allowed to do so. 

This must be the Amazing Nepal that we talk about all the time. Our behaviours and actions are such that no more do we find it weird. The Nepalis do consider themselves to be very modern, yet it is difficult for them to get out of the fixed mindset. Being gullible and running behind the crowd is still a common characteristic.

There also exists the issue of cheap popularity. Everyone wants to gain fame by any means. And TikTok has become a perfect platform to do so. Thus, people will continue promoting anything that is bizarre. This can bring about anomalies in society and give rise to unsolicited things. For a better society, let’s stop living in terms of trends, popularity and irrationality.

We do not spare other humans, but at least we can try showing some compassion towards innocent animals.