India, April 29 -- With sweeping arrests, bold administrative resets, and a charged geopolitical backdrop involving the United States, China, and India, Nepal stands at a crossroads where symbolism, disruption, and uncertainty converge

Lame Ahal in Kaski district of Pokhara was a traditional Nepali Congress-voting village; it did not surprise anyone when it voted en masse for the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The sound of bells (ghanti, RSP's election symbol) has enchanted music-loving Nepalis. Last Saturday, more than three weeks after Balen Shah took oath as Prime Minister on March 27, to my question whether Lame Ahal was happy with the Balen government, veteran Yam Bahadur replied: "ekdum! bilkul khushi chha".

Incidentally, Balen ...