Kathmandu — Prime Minister Sushila Karki has delivered a strong symbolic message urging calm, restraint, and democratic engagement by presenting a photograph of Lord Gautam Buddha to campaign leader Durga Prasai, effectively counterbalancing the earlier gesture in which Prasai had gifted her a statue of Goddess Durga.
The exchange took place during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, where Prime Minister Karki emphasized that elections are the only legitimate path to peace, stability, and sustainable democracy, and that the country can no longer tolerate instability and unrest.
By gifting the image of Gautam Buddha — globally regarded as a symbol of peace, non-violence, and restraint — the Prime Minister conveyed a clear political and moral message: public demands should no longer be expressed through anger, confrontation, or street agitation, but through peaceful participation in the electoral process.
“The country has fully entered the election phase. The only democratic exit now is to seek people’s mandate,” Prime Minister Karki said, urging all sides to act responsibly. “We have brought the country back to peace and order from a very difficult situation. At this time, every force must think responsibly, keeping in mind that this country belongs to all of us.”
She stressed that grievances and demands must be raised through peaceful means, stating that continued unrest would undermine democracy itself. The Prime Minister also urged Prasai to help maintain calm during the election period.
“We are advocates of justice,” Prime Minister Karki said. “This government has not come to enjoy power. We have initiated the process of ending corruption and delivering justice to the exploited and victimized. While results may not be immediate, the foundation is being laid. Some of the legitimate issues you have raised are under review, and dialogue will continue.”
Context of earlier Durga statue and apology
The symbolic exchange also carried political continuity. A few months earlier, Prasai had gifted Prime Minister Karki a statue of Goddess Durga and publicly urged her to act with force and decisiveness. During a meeting on November 22, 2082 BS, however, Prime Minister Karki had cautioned him against street-level abuse and inflammatory language.
“Don’t sit on the street and abuse anyone,” the Prime Minister had told Prasai, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Prasai later apologized, saying, “I take back what I said. I apologize.”
At that time, Prasai had complained that demands submitted by his campaign had not been addressed, but subsequently expressed regret for his earlier statements. He had also praised Prime Minister Karki, describing her as a maternal figure capable of acting in the form of Durga.
Now, by returning the earlier symbolic gesture with an image of Gautam Buddha, Prime Minister Karki has underscored a different message — that the moment calls not for anger or confrontation, but for peace, patience, and participation in the democratic process through elections.
Prasai, who is also patron of the Civil Defense Party and coordinator of the Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture and Civil Defense Campaign, has been holding discussions with Prime Minister Karki and Home Minister Aryal regarding the 27-point demands raised by his group.
