Attack on National Heritage: Not Patriotism, but Treason

# Prem Sagar Poudel

“We are Nepali, our pride is history, our existence is heritage. It cannot be looted, burned, or destroyed!” Nepal is a country with thousands of years of civilization. Its temples, palaces, monasteries, old bricks and stones remind us of our history. Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court are just two of those heritage sites. Those buildings are not just brick structures – they are symbols of national identity. But today, when these historical monuments are burned, the question arises – did they burn due to natural causes, or were they deliberately set on fire?

Gen Z, you are the responsible youth of the nation. You have been speaking out for the people, attacking the inaction, corruption, and failure of many leaders. Which was justified. You said – ‘KP Oli looted the nation’s treasury, he will be held accountable.’ Indeed, those corrupt leaders looted the country. They ruined it and were doing so. But now the question is also for you – will you take responsibility for the burning of Singha Durbar, the President’s Residence or Sheetal Niwas, and the Supreme Court under your leadership?

Singha Durbar and Sheetal Niwas are the heart of Nepal’s administrative history. These structures, over a century old, are a testament to Nepal’s modern governance system. Similarly, the Supreme Court – an institution that thousands of Nepali people look to with hope for justice. You can’t say after these two buildings burned down – “We were unaware.” The question arises – where was the security mechanism? Is this burning to ashes just a coincidence or a planned crime?

If you remain silent today, tomorrow it may be the turn of Basantapur Durbar, Hanuman Dhoka, Krishna Temple, Lumbini, Janakpur, Muktinath, and Pashupatinath to be demolished. When you protested against corruption, you received support from across the country. But when the government under your leadership allows such a massive attack on national heritage – will the people give you a concession or demand answers? If it is a crime for KP Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and others to loot the country’s treasury, whose crime is it for the burning of Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court?

Were those buildings your personal property? Were they removed as ‘superfluous property’ on your instructions? Don’t you know that national wealth is linked to national existence? If it was planned, it is not just a crime, it is treason. And if it was done through negligence, that is also a serious crime. The way national heritage is being destroyed today is not just the destruction of architecture, it is the end of Nepali identity. Sikkim was incorporated into India today due to similar activities. The people’s voices were suppressed, their identities erased, and history was written differently. Is today’s Nepal heading down the same path?

When state symbols are burned, when history is called ‘unnecessary’, when the spirit of the nation is removed, and the people are forced to live in unfamiliar structures and styles, that country gradually becomes a ‘separate country’.

When Nepal’s heritage is burned, not only the structure is lost, but also the history of a generation. The downfall of nations is more often caused by similar actions initiated from within than by invasion. Gen Z, did you allow those heritage sites to be burned because ‘the rest of Nepal cannot understand’? Or are you dreaming of a ‘new Nepal’ by removing those? It is not possible to build a ‘new Nepal’ by simply burning the soul of old Nepal.

Yesterday, corrupt leaders looted the people’s property. Today, under your leadership, the people’s heritage has been and is being burned. What is the difference between yesterday’s looters and today’s arsonists?

If you are the people’s spirit, your first duty is to answer to the people. You shouldn’t just say ‘unfortunate’ when the Singha Durbar burns down, you should say, “We take full responsibility for this.” You guys should investigate it. Take action against the culprits. If you are responsible yourself – be clear to the public. Because the people trusted you and supported you. Now the same people look at you and say, “Now it’s your turn to answer.”

The burning of Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court and other heritage sites is not just the heat of the fire, it is the pain that burns the hearts of us Nepalis. The public will not end this by watching silently. We will ask, we will write, we will shout. Because this is not just our property, it is our existence.

Gen Z, you yourself have shown the courage to put corrupt leaders on trial in the court. Now it’s your turn to stand in that same court. You must answer: Why did Singha Durbar and Sheetal Niwas burn down? Why did the Supreme Court turn into ashes? Who is to blame for that? When will the people get that heritage back? Attack on national heritage: It is not patriotism but treason. We do not want to be like Sikkim, we want to live as sovereign Nepalis!

(The author is a senior journalist, political analyst, President of the Nepal-China Mutual Cooperation Society, and an expert on international affairs.)