Pradip Gyawali Expresses Concern Over Narrowing Philosophical Discourse in Nepal

Kathmandu. CPN-UML leader Pradip Gyawali has stated that serious thoughts and philosophies in Nepal are becoming increasingly confined to social media platforms like Facebook and X. Speaking at a discussion program for the book 'History of Philosophy' on Wednesday, he expressed concern that interest in philosophy and intellectual debate in Nepal is facing a serious crisis. Recalling the words of the famous Indian philosopher and writer Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya, Gyawali illustrated the declining interest in thought and philosophy. He presented Chattopadhyaya's observation from many years ago that 'at a time when India needed philosophy the most, interest in philosophy, discourse, and intellectual debate began to face a great drought,' and stated that a similar situation is now being seen in Nepal. He believes that philosophy, ideological debate, and theoretical-policy questions in Nepal are gradually narrowing. In the current era, important ideological debates are being confined to short posts of 240 characters on social media, tweets, and limited expressions of a few hundred words. Gyawali alleges that a false narrative is being constructed in Nepal that the liberation of society and the development of the country are not possible through clear thought, institutions, or systems, but only through some 'savior' individual. Commenting on the country's situation, he said, 'An environment is being created here such that the liberation of society or the development of the country will not be done by any thought, not by any institution, no system is needed for it, just some wonderful person will come, some savior will come, and will solve the problems with a snap of their fingers, pushing the country towards institutions being killed and the popularity of one person or a few people.' Leader Gyawali also claimed that populism, anarchism, and extreme right-wing tendencies are becoming dominant in Nepal. He stated that this is increasing the crisis for the country's nationality, democratic rights, human rights, and open political space, and that the leftist movement is also facing a major blow. He accused the current government, although elected, of its overall behavior and character leaning towards authoritarianism. He expressed anger, stating that the government has snatched trade union rights, that student movements have had their rights, which were obtained even during the Panchayat era in 2021 BS, curtailed, and that citizens are being intimidated through various means. He also mentioned that the problem of landless people in the country is becoming increasingly complex and dire. Gyawali stated that as the country is moving towards such an extraordinary and difficult crisis, the time has come to think in a new way to save the country from this situation. He emphasized the need for all patriotic, progressive, and democratic forces in the country to come together and for a new kind of cooperation and closeness among them to face the current challenges.