Congress pitches for 'wait-and watch' approach on Nepal, 'taking lessons'
New Delhi (PTI): Expressing concern over the situation in Nepal, the Congress on Wednesday advocated a "wait-and-watch" approach from India and asserted that it is important to understand, absorb and "certainly take lessons from what has happened".
Former external affairs minister and Congress's foreign affairs department chairperson Salman Khurshid said the happenings in Nepal are a matter of concern but there is not a great deal India can do right now.
"I hope the government has some ideas about how we can be of assistance," Khurshid told PTI here.
His remarks came a day after Nepal reeled under a serious political crisis as Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive protests for a second day, with the demonstrators storming many government buildings and setting Parliament as well as the houses of several high-profile leaders ablaze. These developments took place a day after 19 people died in violence.
The students-led "Gen Z" protests that began against a government ban on social media expanded into a larger campaign, reflecting the growing public criticism of the Oli dispensation and the country's political elite over alleged corruption and apathy towards the common people.
Speaking on the crisis in the neighbouring country, Khurshid said it is a matter of concern for every Indian citizen as "we have such deep-seated relations with Nepal".
"Several generations of their leadership have been educated in India. A lot of them have relatives in India. We have an enormous interest both in the neighbour as well as in its people whom we have been very close to. Conventionally, no matter what has happened and the changes that have happened in Nepalese politics, we have always strongly stood by their democracy," Khurshid said.
"What is happening there is painful, very unfortunate and Indians can just pray and hope for the best for Nepal and that peace returns to its streets as quickly as possible," the former external affairs minister said.
"They will have to find their own solutions. Of course, we know that this is an element of democracy which brings about this kind of a breakdown and that democracy itself brings about the repair and cure.... As soon as that can happen and they can quickly decide what to do and move ahead would be the best for us in the neighbourhood and indeed, certainly for Nepal," he said.
Asserting that anything that happens in the neighbourhood is a matter of concern, Khurshid pointed out that India has a porous border with Nepal.
"Obviously, it is a matter of concern, but what is more important is our concern about the future of Nepalese people and their democracy. There is not a great deal that one can do right now except hope for the best. I hope the government has some ideas about how we can be of any assistance," he said.
"So right now, it is fingers crossed and prayers on our lips that everything returns to normal as quickly as possible.... Much pain has already been suffered," Khurshid said.
He asserted that there is no choice for India but to "wait and watch" right now.
"Watch very closely, very carefully, very sympathetically. That is important because you know that when this kind of unrest happens, there are all sorts of people trying to create trouble for others that they do not like. I just hope that does not happen with India and Indians," the Congress leader said.
"Our relationship is too important and our commitment to the democracy of the people of Nepal is too important for anything like that to be allowed," he added.
Asked about the lessons India should learn from the Nepal crisis, Khurshid said in the entire region, "we learn from each other's experiences and growth" in various fields.
"Whatever impacts a neighbour, whatever impacts a friend, inevitably, indirectly impacts you as well. I think it is important to understand, absorb, hope for the best and certainly take lessons from whatever has happened," he said.
The Congress leader asserted that generational changes are taking place and one has to be able to respond to a new generation.
"This is happening in the entire world and therefore, if there is something to be learnt, it is how do you respond when there are generational changes taking place and when something seemingly goes wrong with social media, what is it that you can do," he said.
"There are good parts about social media and not so good parts about social media, but it is the reality of modern democracy and you cannot wish it away. How do you deal with it, how do you prepare for it? These are all important lessons one can learn," the senior Congress leader said.
The Nepal Army on Wednesday imposed nationwide restrictive orders, followed by a curfew, to quell possible violence under the guise of protests.
The army, which took control of nationwide security operations from Tuesday night after incidents of arson and vandalism across the country, said the restrictive orders will remain in force until 5 pm on Wednesday, and then a curfew will be in place until 6 am on Thursday.
The Nepalese capital of Kathmandu wore a deserted look as soldiers guarded the streets and ordered people to stay at home, a day after protesters set fire to Parliament, the president's office, the prime minister's residence, government buildings, the Supreme Court, political parties' offices and the houses of senior leaders.
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Rahul Gandhi to go on two-day Raebareli visit from May 19
Raebareli (UP) (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Raebareli Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on May 19 on a two-day visit, a Congress office-bearer said on Monday.
Congress district president of Raebareli Pankaj Tiwari said that on the first day, Gandhi will inaugurate a marriage hall at Thakurain Kheda in Bachhrawan. Subsequently, he will address a public meeting in Khiron. In Lalganj, he will participate in a 'mahila samvaad' programme.
He further said that on May 20, he will meet the public during a 'Janata Darshan' programme at the Bhuyemau Guest House. Following this, he will participate in the unveiling of a statue of Veera Pasi and attend a public meeting in Lodhwari.
He will then depart for Amethi.
In Amethi, Gandhi will hold meetings with party functionaries, workers and senior leaders at the party's district headquarters, Congress district unit chief Pradeep Singhal said on Sunday.
According to political observers, this meeting would form a part of the strategic preparations for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, alongside an organisational review.
Discussions during the meeting are likely to focus on strengthening the party organisation down to the booth level, increasing participation of youth and women workers, and accelerating public outreach campaigns across villages.
According to sources, a large number of party workers -- from Gram Sabha to the district level -- have been invited to attend the meeting.
Gandhi is expected to interact directly with workers.
During the one-day visit, the Congress leader will also travel to Poore Ramdeen Pandit -- the native village of late Congress district president Yogendra Mishra -- to meet his family members.
Mishra, considered a close associate of the Gandhi family, passed away on March 1 following a prolonged illness.
Political activities in the district have intensified ahead of Gandhi's visit, and party workers have already started making arrangements for his reception.
Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress MP from Amethi, is also holding regular meetings with local leaders and functionaries to review the preparations.
