Kathmandu — A late-night Facebook post by Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has ignited fierce national debate, triggering both outrage and admiration across political and diplomatic circles. His now-deleted post read:

“Fuck America, Fuck India, Fuck China, Fuck UML, Fuck Congress, Fuck RSP, Fuck RPP, Fuck Maobaadi — You guys all combined can do nothing 🙂.”

The post, uploaded around 12:30 a.m., spread like wildfire before disappearing within minutes, leaving Nepal’s political and media landscape ablaze with speculation. Some outlets alleged that Balen wrote the post “under the influence of marijuana,” while others pointed to “possible hacking.” However, eyewitnesses and restaurant staff have denied any evidence of drug use.

According to media reports, Balen had dined earlier that evening at Sanskar Fine Dine & Event, a high-end restaurant in Lalitpur. Sources at the establishment confirmed that marijuana or cannabis products are strictly prohibited there, and no such use was observed. “He was with a few friends, had some drinks like any regular evening — nothing illegal,” said one staff member on condition of anonymity.

The allegation that he used marijuana remains unverified and speculative. In contrast, the verified fact is that alcohol consumption is legally permitted in Nepal and in that restaurant.

While the use of the word “fuck” has been criticized as vulgar, linguists and political analysts note that it carries a symbolic expression of frustration, rebellion, and moral outrage—not merely profanity. Interestingly, U.S. President Donald Trump also used the same word publicly twice during his presidency — once on June 24, 2025, during the Israel–Iran ceasefire crisis, and again on October 17, 2025, when speaking about Venezuela. Trump’s blunt language was viewed internationally as a reflection of populist authenticity and anger against establishment hypocrisy.

In a similar vein, Balen’s post has been interpreted by many as the unfiltered voice of Nepal’s public frustration. His supporters argue that his message represents “the collective anger of citizens tired of corruption, hypocrisy, and institutional decay.” One of his close aides told Nepal Aaja, “It wasn’t personal rage — it was systemic frustration. His words translated the pain of the people.”

Critics, however, accuse him of crossing the line of political civility, labeling the post as “indecent” and “unconstitutional.” Yet many of those pointing fingers are the same politicians who have themselves been accused of corruption and apathy. As one analyst observed, “If Balen’s words are hate speech, then years of political neglect toward citizens are no less hateful.”

Social media reactions show a divided yet energized public: some condemning his tone, others celebrating his candor as “truth without disguise.” A trending comment under the deleted post read, “At least someone dared to say it out loud.”

Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged after Dr. Rajiv Jha, a Madhesi-origin professor currently based in China, posted a derogatory comment about the mayor’s family, writing in Nepali, “Kathmandu’s garbage should be dumped in front of Balen’s house. Is his wife a VIP or what?” The post has been widely condemned as a personal attack and violation of public decency. Many observers believe this backlash has ironically increased sympathy for Balen among citizens.

Despite the uproar, the deeper question remains unresolved: when the President of the United States can publicly use the word “fuck” and be called bold, why is a Nepali mayor vilified for expressing raw truth in the same way?

For perhaps the first time in Nepal’s political history, a public figure has spoken the naked language of truth—one that neither hides behind protocol nor flatters power. Balen’s seven-letter word may have unsettled the establishment, but it also exposed a nation’s buried frustration and longing for authenticity.

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Editorial Notice:

The accompanying image is a file photo and not related to Mayor Balen Shah’s visit to Sanskar Fine Dine & Event in Lalitpur. It is used purely for contextual reference and does not represent the actual time or location of the incident.