Questions Raised by the NOC and Casino Operations
Dragon Media Newsroom
The issue of Nepali students selected for Russian government scholarships facing difficulties in obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for foreign study has now reached the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, a police operation at a casino in Thamel, where a large number of foreign nationals were detained and most were later released, has raised questions about the basis for such action. No direct connection between these two incidents has been established. However, both demonstrate the need for the government to clarify the reasons and procedures behind its decisions.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Ashoj 8, lawmaker Khushbu Oli stated that those selected for the 40 scholarships offered to Nepali students by the Russian government for 2026–27 have been facing problems in obtaining NOCs. She demanded that the process be simplified, warning that without prior approval, their study opportunities could be lost. This is a serious question raised in Parliament. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology must publish data on how many students applied, how many applications were stalled, and what reasons were given to each.
Studying in Russia and working in Russia are two separate matters. Given the background of Nepali recruitment into the Russian army, security concerns are understandable. If such concerns have affected scholarship applications, the government must clarify the legal basis and the criteria being applied. A student’s admission letter, scholarship, and academic program can be examined; but the risk of losing an academic session due to indefinite delays should not fall on the student alone.
According to published accounts of the joint police operation at Waldo Casino in Thamel, 58 individuals were detained for questioning. Most were later released. One Chinese national was found to have overstayed their visa, and immigration proceedings have reportedly been initiated against them. There is no detailed public explanation from the police regarding the basis for detaining the others and how the initial information was verified. That should be made public.
The fact that foreign nationals are permitted to enter casinos does not place them beyond the scope of any investigation. Police may investigate based on credible information. However, in an operation where many individuals are detained at once, the basis for individual suspicion, the legal procedure, and the subsequent outcome must be clear. If most have been released, a review is also necessary to determine whether the initial information was accurate.
The answer to this can be provided through documents and process. The Ministry of Education must disclose the status of Russian scholarship applications and the reasons if they have been stalled. The police must state the basis for the casino operation, the number of those detained and released, and the status of the remaining investigation. As long as ambiguity persists, trust among students, foreign nationals lawfully present in Nepal, and government institutions will all be affected.
In the foreign policy of a small country, credibility is a great asset. It is not protected by escalating accusations; it is protected by demonstrating that every decision is based on law, evidence, and equal treatment for all.
