Nepal's uneasy relationship with dissent: What it means for the future of open dialogue in the country
By Sakshat Pant
Published: 12:03 pm Aug 21, 2025
Nepal stands at a crossroads where the constitutional promise of freedom of expression clashes with historical legacies, cultural sensitivities, and government anxieties.
In Nepal, speaking out through music and comedy is no longer just about entertainment, it has become a risky act of defiance. Comedians crack jokes that expose social taboos, and rappers spit verses that challenge corruption and injustice. Far from applause, many find themselves facing legal and societal backlash.
While freedom of expression is guaranteed by law, in real life, it clashes with deep-rooted cultural values and a society that is still learning to accept dissent. Consequently, for artistes, the line between creativity and criminality is razor-thin. This article explores why Nepal's comedians and rappers are increasingly targeted, how the idea of free expression is still new and complex in our setting, and what it means for the future of open dialogue in the country.
(...) The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal under Article 17. However, it comes with vague limitations. Clauses under Article 17 permit the state to impose laws restricting acts that threaten public peace, national security, communal harmony, or public health and morality. Such ambiguity allows the state to interpret dissent as a threat, often disproportionately targeting artistes.
Historically, Nepal's political landscape has been marked by long periods of authoritarian rule and conflict that severely limited freedom of expression. Under the 104-year-long Rana regime, power was concentrated in a hereditary oligarchy that suppressed dissent through censorship and intimidation, allowing little room for public criticism or political debate. The Panchayat system, a partyless autocratic regime established by King Mahendra, further restricted free speech by controlling the media and banning political parties, criminalising criticism of the monarchy and government policies. Similarly, during the decade-long Maoist insurgency as well, expression was tightly controlled by both the Maoist rebels and the government forces, with journalists, artistes, and activists forced to practise censorship. These historical events have left a lasting impact on Nepalese society's relationship with free expression.
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Recently, the government has taken another controversial step highlighting its fragile grip on free expression and privacy. After a six-year pause, the state is preparing a new law called the "National Intelligence and Investigation Bill" that would legally allow intelligence agencies to intercept and record citizens' phone calls and other communications. The draft, currently open for public feedback, expands the powers of the National Investigation Department to monitor communication networks when deemed necessary to protect national security.
This is not the first time such a proposal has surfaced, an earlier attempt in 2019 and 2023 faced widespread public backlash and were shelved. The new bill's broad powers and low thresholds for interception reveal an anxiety within the government to tightly control information and surveil its citizens, reflecting a deeper unease with an evolving society where free speech and privacy are increasingly demanded but remain contested.