Will President Paudel Embark on a European Tour Amid National Crisis?

President Ram Chandra Paudel is set to embark on a European tour starting on November 8. The Council of Ministers, in a meeting held on Thursday, approved the President’s travel schedule for Europe, which includes visits to Germany and Italy after attending the ‘Paris Peace Forum’ in Paris, France. President Paudel is expected to return to Nepal on November 17. However, the decision to undertake this tour was made well before Nepal was struck by a devastating 6.4 magnitude earthquake that has claimed a significant loss of life and property.

The earthquake, with its epicenter at Ramidanda in Jajarkot, struck just before Friday midnight, and the death toll has climbed to 157 as of Saturday afternoon. An additional 197 people have sustained injuries. Jajarkot and Rukum West are among the worst-hit areas, with 105 lives lost in Jajarkot and 52 in Rukum West. The injured include 150 individuals in Jajarkot, 85 in Rukum West, three each in Dailekh and Baitadi, and one in Rolpa.

In the midst of this disaster, there is growing public debate and concern about the President’s upcoming foreign tour. Some members of the public have taken to social media to express their reservations, with many calling for the President to reconsider his plans and allocate the funds meant for the European tour to earthquake relief and rescue efforts. They argue that such a gesture would preserve the dignity of the republic and demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of the people affected by the earthquake.

Many argue that the timing of the President’s European visit is not appropriate, given the country’s current state of crisis. They contend that European countries, being democracies, would understand the need for the President to stay at home and support his fellow citizens during this time of great need. Going on a foreign visit in the midst of a disaster, they say, does not enhance the country’s reputation in the host countries or reflect positively on the republic.

It’s worth noting that the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh bin Hamad Al Thani, initially scheduled for November 6 and 7, was postponed a few days ago. Qatar’s head of state had chosen to postpone his two-day trip to Nepal, citing escalating tensions in Israel. This decision by the Emir of Qatar to postpone his visit to Nepal due to international developments has raised questions about the appropriateness of President Paudel’s European tour.

Rabindra Mishra, the senior vice-chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has also weighed in on the issue. In a statement on platform X, Mishra wrote, “Due to the earthquake, the extensive loss of property in Jajarkot, Rukum, and other parts of western Nepal has caused grief. Let’s all help each other in this time of crisis! It would be better for the President to cancel his trip to Europe at this time of national pain and spend the billions of dollars saved on relief and rescue.”

The President’s impending European tour has certainly ignited a national conversation about priorities and the government’s response to the current crisis. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the earthquake, the decision regarding the President’s foreign visit has become a significant point of contention, and the government faces mounting pressure to reconsider its plans. The question remains: will President Paudel proceed with his European tour in the face of a national emergency, or will he heed the growing calls to prioritize the needs of his country in this time of distress? The answer to this question will undoubtedly have a significant impact on public perception and the government’s response to the ongoing crisis.