At a time when law and order and governance are facing challenges, recent statements by Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan may prove to be self-fulfilling prophecies. At a time when even the Maoist leaders have committed themselves to enter the political mainstream, Sherchan has been spouting inflammatory and irresponsible pronouncements like in the next ten months there can be 100,000 people killed every month. It was not the intention of the people's movement to encourage violence, nor is it consonant with the values of democracy. Why is Sherchan speaking in favour of violence? Why is he trying to overturn the decision of the Supreme Court that the campaign to remove the current chairman of the Chinese-assisted BP Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur was illegal? It looks like he is bent on political interference to put his own candidate for that post, even if it means undermining the activity of the hospital.

What is this government's priority: to destroy national-level educational institutions that are providing service to the people? Shouldn't it be to help those institutions by respecting the law that gives them autonomy? The anarchic activites and anarchic statements by the deputy prime minister doesn't help foster respect for the government nor does it help the country resolve the problems it faces. Democracy needs sacrifice, not being carried away by the power of one's position.