As more Nepali students go abroad for studies, they face numerous risks, including mysterious deaths, suicides, and violent attacks. These incidents demand serious attention from the government. However, Nepal’s policymakers and high-ranking leaders have failed to take concrete initiatives to ensure the safety of Nepali students abroad. Sumana Shrestha has been serving as a Member of Parliament since December 22, 2022, and held the position of Minister of Education from March 6, 2024, to July 15, 2024. Despite holding this crucial position, she did not implement any significant policies for the protection of Nepali students studying overseas.

In February 2021, 23-year-old Nepali student Pramod Bhattarai was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his apartment in Houston, USA. The cause of his death remains unclear, yet Sumana Shrestha, even after becoming a Member of Parliament, did not issue an official statement or demand a diplomatic investigation into the matter. Similarly, in February 2017, 22-year-old Nepali student Srishti Bhandari from the University of New South Wales, Australia, drowned in the ocean. Sudip Upreti from Jhapa, who attempted to rescue her, also went missing. However, no serious discussion took place regarding the safety measures required for Nepali students in Australia. In January 2017, 32-year-old Nepali student John Lama was found hanging in his apartment in Tokyo, Japan. These incidents highlight the growing mental health crisis among Nepali students abroad, yet Nepal’s political leadership has failed to introduce any concrete measures.

During Sumana Shrestha’s tenure as the Minister of Education, there was no policy initiative to address these concerns. No effective diplomatic efforts were made under her leadership. The lack of mental health counseling and assistance programs for Nepali students abroad remained unchanged. As a minister, she did not take any initiative to engage directly with Nepali students overseas to understand their issues.

Even after her tenure, the incidents involving Nepali students abroad continued. In August 2024, 21-year-old Nepali student Muna Pandey was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her apartment in Houston, USA. Initial reports suggested foul play, yet the Nepalese government failed to take immediate diplomatic action. Despite portraying herself as a transparent and accountable leader, Sumana Shrestha remained completely silent on this case.

In February 2025, the death of 20-year-old Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Odisha, India, sparked protests. This incident gained significant public attention, prompting Sumana Shrestha to raise the issue in Parliament. However, why did she fail to introduce concrete policies when she was a minister? Why did she remain silent about previous incidents?

The safety of Nepali students abroad should be a government priority. Political leaders should not exploit incidents involving Nepali expatriates merely to build their public image. Instead, they should take long-term initiatives to ensure the well-being of students abroad. The inconsistency in Sumana Shrestha’s responses—ignoring the issue while in power but raising it when it gains public attention—exposes a stark contrast in her leadership.

During her tenure as Minister of Education, Sumana Shrestha failed to introduce long-term policies for the safety and welfare of Nepali students abroad. She did not take any significant steps to prevent such incidents, initiate investigations, or establish long-term security measures. However, when certain cases gained public attention, she spoke about them in Parliament. This double standard raises the question: was she genuinely concerned about the safety of Nepali students abroad, or was she merely using these incidents for political gain?

The safety of Nepali students abroad should not be addressed based on personal or political convenience. It is the primary responsibility of the Nepalese government. Immediate policies and programs are necessary to ensure the security of Nepali students. Leaders like Sumana Shrestha should not exhibit selective activism based on public attention but should remain consistently committed to the safety of Nepali students abroad. Moving forward, the Nepalese government must implement long-term policies to ensure that Nepali students can pursue their education in a safe environment.

Sumana Shrestha’s