Paras should be made an example of.
The Nepali justice system, police and democracy in Nepal have a great opportunity staring at at them. They have in there hands a high profile drama. The arrest of Paras Shah and his admission that he fired a shot in anger with a unauthorized firearm clearly puts the law in favor of those charging him. The government and political entities can get involved and completely humiliate the former royals and treat this a lesson to be taught to them. Or they can go a completely different route and drop the case because it is so controversial. Either of these options makes a lot of political sense. The former in its action and the latter in its inaction guarantee political brownie points. By taking the first course the parties can reignite the wanning anti-royal sentiment, and by taking the second they can avoid having yet another problem to deal with, and ensure peace in the country.
Or it can pursue a third course;a much radical path for a country like Nepal. It can make a example of him. A public display of the entire situation; making an example of how unlawful activity is handled in a sensible country. An example of justice. The people in the government and other political parties should stay away from the issue and let the police and the courts handle it. They should allow justice to take its course in a swift and fair manner. And even if the parties comment on it its acceptable, but the courts should remain clear of its purpose, the police should hold on to its principles, and the journalist to there. Let all citizen know that there is still hope for a fair trial, and rule of law in the land. Treat him no better or worse than any other citizen of Nepal. Send a message through this saga that if Paras can be treated with respect and in accordance to the law then all citizen will be subject to the same standards. Lady Justice is supposedly blind - this would be a good time to reassure us of it.
On the other hand Paras Shah and other royals should recognize that he cannot hide behind his family name anylonger.They are not politically special anymore. If given a fair trial and fair judgement for his actions he too should set an example and accept the verdict. if he is unsatisfied with the verdict challenge it in the courts. Further he should stop using nationalistic sentiments as shameful excuse to cover his drunk actions.
This sudden wave of support Paras is receiving is surprising. Supporters argue that his action is justifiable because he got up to defend the honor of the country. Nonsense! Absolute bull feces! A monkeys red arse! Nonsense, not because I doubt his patriotism, but because that is not what a patriotic action looks like. If every citizen were allowed to use violence against those who speaks against Nepal we would have a lot of bloodshed on our hands. Violent action could be justifiable by this "saving the honor of Nepal" excuse. Do we really want to set such a precedence. Such an excuse is not only laughable but also undemocratic. A person, regardless of his nationality, should have the right to say what he wants. Rubel Choudhary, the Bangladeshi citizen, might have used distasteful words against Nepal. He might have even called us a country of idiots, run for idiots, by idiots. He might have gone far enough to suggest that Nepal and Nepalis are good for nothing. Most insulting indeed but does this give all Nepali citizen to fire at him, or atleast punch him where it hurts most? Absolutely not.Yes, they where distastful, and yes they where hurtful, but thats the price you pay for living in a democracy. Thats the beautiful cost of freedom of speech. You dont have to agree with it, you can even mad about it, but you do have to allow it. Suppose I where to call Bangladesh a country of fish eating cowards who wouldn't have acheived there independence without India and especially General Sam Manesksaw and his Gurkha solider, I am guessing some Bangladeshis are going to be upset. Are my words insulting- yes. Would it be justified for a Bangladeshi to come and kick me. Absolutly not.
Here lies another opportunity for setting another example. Let all the people of the world know that Nepal is a becon of free speech, it is a place where regardless of nationalisty, color,sex and sexual orientation people can come an express themselves and go unhurt and unafraid. A place where I can say what I want and not be afraid of violent repercussions.
Ultimetlty this drama will lose steam. People will move on. The question now remains will people move on knowing they live in a just and reasonable society, or will they move on knowing that the laws that govern this country are so shady that all hope is lost.
