Waste management was the primary focus of Balen Shah, the newly elected Kathmandu mayor, who has inspired an independent political movement constituting of independent candidates who want to make a difference. After the push on managing waste, he became motivated to get rid of petty business people occupying the walkways, and now he has launched a mission to demolish the illegally constructed structure and the latest victims have been small shop owners who had rented their space from larger landlords. In a trending YouTube video some people affected by that demolition are giving their reaction and opinion on the gross injustice they have been dealt.
Tenants/Small Shop owners frustrated with steps taken by Balen Shah
According to them, Balen is right in taking that action, but there was a serious shortcoming in the process. He gave the 35 day notice to the big shots who are operating the illegally constructed structures and getting rent from those illegal construction. Balen might have thought that he has followed the process so he had the right to take necessary action and demolish the structures. The problem here was that the shop keepers who have suffered the loss now never knew or got an inkling of the 35-day notice. They asked for some time to remove then stuff, and the ward chair also is said to have suggested to give them couple of days to take care of their possessions and merchandise. But no, Balen is Balen, the revolutionary leader who is going to make everything right.
It is apparently clear here the pitfalls of professionals from non-political fields entering politics and winning the election. Having a good intention is not enough. The field-specific knowledge is also needed, which in this case Balen had no clue. There is a gap between the rules and the implementation. He probably thought that when he gave 35-day notice, everything would know and protect themselves, but this is where he faulted. The owners/landlords never conveyed the message, so what Balen expected never occurred. So, things do not work as straight-forward as we might expect. That is where a non-political actor will find his trappings to fail eventually.
What was the reason he could not give couple of more days for the shop owners to remove their merchandise? That would have been a wise step to take and win more heart. Now, he might have done technically the absolutely right thing, but in the process he forgot the human angle and characters. Ultimately, a politicians would try to win over people by doing the right and lawful thing. Creating victims is not what politicians aim for. This is a misstep he might have to consider.
In the larger context, Nepal is not a place that runs in a lawful place. Everyone knows, as the shop keepers acknowledge, that they are not doing the right thing, yet they continue to rent space in an illegally constructed structure. Even they accept that Balen is right and the landlords are mainly at fault, so hopefully more people will now consider the legality of what they are doing and stop going with the flow of unhealthy practice of “yeha yestai ho.”
This could be a beginning to right all the wrongs that have been going on in Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal. People should respect the law and urban development planning norms. This should wake up people, and for Balen, he could also look at the human angle and try to make the action he takes less painful. Little guys need not bear the brunt of wrath imposed by the municipality. Just as it was proved that he could not do anything in the case of Norvic hospital because the powerful guys went to the court seeking the stay order, probably, while the little guys did not consider it because their landlords kept them in the dark.
The best advice for Balen would be to take a step back and consider the slips ups that could be occurring between the cup and the lips. If he just does not rush too much and gives space to listen, then his actions will gain popularity and even the victims will be fully supporting him.
Let the wrongs be righted finally.
The writer is a graduate of Arizona State University in Political Science. He is working as a social activist and motivational speaker for students across Nepal since 2007.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nepalisite.
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The writer is a graduate of Arizona State University in Political Science. He is working as a social activist and motivational speaker for students across Nepal since 2007.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nepalisite.
