Build Political Culture

Bini Dahal

It is excruciating that even a female politician is reported to have been involved in violence against women.  Bimala Oli, who is a state minister of the Lumbini Province, has not only ruined her personal image but also created a sense of revulsion among the general public towards politics as an occupation by getting involved in an untoward activity. 

Despite holding political power and prominence, Oli has been accused of misbehaving with a woman and her little daughter. In the early morning of June 14, Oli along with her bodyguard had reached the home of a person called Ekraj Basnet.  No sooner had she entered Basnet’s house than she began attacking his wife Meena and daughter. In a fit of anger, Oli also vandalised things and threw them away. 

As the locals came to know all about her senseless behaviours, they resorted to locking the door of the house from outside and informed the police about the incident. Oli’s photo with Ekraj was posted on the latter’s Facebook story. From that photo, everybody became familiar with Oli’s barbarism. After Meena filed a complaint against Oli at an area police post based in Dang, police have brought the latter under control. And Oli has been taken to Butwal from Dang. As reported by the police, a financial deal is believed to be the main reason for that sudden scuffle. 

However, she is said to have been receiving political protection. She is a provincial assembly member from the CPN-Maoist Centre. Now demands for Oli’s sacking are getting louder among the public and even political parties as everyone knows how downright wrong her actions are. It is a mockery that that laws are only meant for the poor but not for the powerful ones. 

As the country lacks a good political culture, politicians are often found getting involved in such insane activities. What is ironic is that they are rarely brought to justice. Politics is the master of all policies. When it gets polluted, everything will remain affected badly. This is what is happening in our country, too. Political leaders lead the masses. They are supposed to be responsive to the public supporting them. Being leaders, they are required to be a role model for the general public. It is said that politics is a dirty game as politicians are shrewd manipulators and selfish with a strong urge for power. 

Just like an individual requires a certain level of knowledge and expertise on law when becoming a lawyer, why is it that anyone can become a politician in our country? When anyone can become the next leader, in no way can we expect a certain quality to be ensured. This creates more anomalies in politics. So, there must be a certain standard for persons to be political leaders.

Lumbini Province government has formed a team to probe into Oli’s activities. The investigation team must bring the truth to light. If she is found to be guilty, she must face necessary legal action. A state of impunity must end for the sake of promoting a fair justice system. This will ultimately help purify our tainted politics as well. Without bringing our politics on track, the country and the people may continue suffering for many years to come.