Many years down the line, we may look back at this movement as one of the most significant events of modern Nepali history, as important as the one in 2046 B.S. This momentous event will surely bring out its line up of heroes and villains. Many people may already be busy drawing up their individual line-ups, and I think home minister Kamal Thapa, who has been featuring prominently in recent happenings, finds a place in many of them. For most, he may be a villain, at least in the present context, but I personally feel that he deserves a well-earned place among the heroes.
Kamalji belong to a special species: he is a plasticine peg that fits in all holes, and a chameleon that changes colour with the need of the moment. The recent happenings in Nepal have put him under the spotlight more than anyone else, and more than anytime before. Voluntarily or involuntarily he has had the biggest role to play in the present scheme of things. I am not a political analyst, but even as a lay person, I can safely give him credit for single-handedly elevating what started as a 'protest rally' by the seven agitating parties into a 'people's movement'. He of course had the support of many rounds of bullets, live and rubber, canisters of tear gas, batons, boots....
A champion tennis player and a crafty politician, we saw a tough, fire breathing side of Kamalji as he took on the responsibilities as the home minister. Information minister Rana spews gall every time he finds himself behind the microphone, but Kamalji is no less impressive with his gush of misinformation and hollow assurances. As we know now, he has democratic ideals and is a 'people's man' - be it a baton charge or even shooting, he does it 'among' the public, 'for' the public's security.
Tennis requires strong shoulders and stronger arms, lucikly for us, Kamalji is well endowed on both counts. Who better than Kamalji to use 'strong arm techinques' during these moments of need?
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