Why Karate training is necessary for our Mannias
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| Image: ChatGPT/Concept: LB Thapa |
Why Karate training is necessary for our Mannias
Parliament is often described as the temple of democracy. It is the place where elected representatives debate national issues, draft laws, hold governments accountable, and give voice to the concerns of citizens. In theory, Parliament is where ideas clash, arguments compete, and policies are refined through reason and discussion. Citizens expect their representatives to use words, logic, and persuasion. After all, if every disagreement could be settled by shouting, pushing, and waving fists, there would be little need for microphones, parliamentary rules, or expensive parliamentary buildings.
Unfortunately, democratic theory and political reality occasionally decide to live in different neighborhoods.
Around the world, parliamentary brawls are not entirely unknown. Legislatures in several democratic countries have witnessed scenes that looked less like lawmaking and more like auditions for professional wrestling. In Taiwan, lawmakers have exchanged punches, thrown water balloons, and climbed over desks. In South Korea, MPs have physically blocked doors and engaged in dramatic scuffles. Even in countries with long democratic traditions, heated exchanges have sometimes crossed the line into physical confrontation.
Therefore, Nepal is certainly not the first nation whose lawmakers have occasionally forgotten that Parliament is a debating chamber rather than a boxing ring. The difference is that many countries treat such incidents as embarrassing exceptions. In Nepal, citizens sometimes wonder whether such events are gradually becoming a parliamentary subculture.
The Nepali Parliament has witnessed its share of disorder over the years. There have been occasions when lawmakers surrounded the Speaker's chair, tore documents, shouted slogans, blocked proceedings, and exchanged angry threats. Parliamentary obstruction has become so common that many citizens could probably predict the sequence of events before a session even begins. First comes the slogan-shouting, then the procedural objections, then the accusations, then the adjournment, and finally the television debates explaining why none of it was anyone's fault.
Yet even by Nepal's colorful standards, the events of May 31, 2026, attracted considerable public attention.
On that day, tensions inside the House of Representatives escalated dramatically. Disputes over parliamentary procedures and political disagreements soon turned into scenes of chaos. Opposition lawmakers protested, surrounded the rostrum, and challenged the manner in which parliamentary business was being conducted. The situation intensified as lawmakers from both sides confronted one another. Reports indicated that MPs exchanged physical pushes and shoves, some climbed onto tables and chairs, and the atmosphere became so disorderly that the parliamentary session had to be temporarily adjourned. Several lawmakers appeared ready to move beyond verbal disagreement and into direct physical confrontation. Fellow MPs had to intervene to prevent the situation from worsening further.
One particularly tense moment involved Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Ashika Tamang, who became visibly agitated during the exchanges. Other lawmakers stepped in and escorted her away from the confrontation before matters escalated further.
For ordinary citizens watching the proceedings, the scene was educational in a completely unexpected way. Many schoolchildren had previously believed that Parliament was where leaders discussed national policy. On May 31, they discovered that Parliament could also demonstrate advanced techniques in crowd movement, competitive shouting, and furniture-mounted tactical positioning.
Naturally, this raises an important policy question.
If parliamentary sessions have become so unpredictable that lawmakers might face verbal attacks, procedural ambushes, and occasional physical confrontations, perhaps Nepal should modernize parliamentary training.
Traditionally, newly elected MPs receive orientation about constitutional provisions, legislative procedures, and parliamentary ethics. While those subjects remain useful, the time may have come to introduce a more practical curriculum.
Seeing the violent action shown by some mannias in the parliament house who apparently wanted to harm the honorable speaker DP Aryal. Since mannias seem immune to any punishment they commit inside the parliament, their violent activities are continuously increasing over the months. It cannot be denied that one day mannias would not fight with each other rather violently. So, I see a course of self defence seem to be utmost necessary for our mannias.
Imagine the possibilities.
Monday: Constitutional Law.
Tuesday: Budget Analysis.
Wednesday: Parliamentary Procedure.
Thursday: Defensive Karate training.
Friday: Advanced Taekwondo for Legislative Survival.
A newly elected MP could earn a black belt before earning membership on a parliamentary committee. Parliamentary identity cards might eventually display not only party affiliation but also martial arts rank. Citizens would no longer ask, "Which committee does that MP serve on?" Instead, they would ask, "Is that lawmaker a second-degree black belt or only a beginner?"
The Sergeant-at-Arms could be replaced by a panel of martial arts instructors. Before entering the chamber, MPs might participate in stretching exercises. Instead of shouting "Order! Order!" the Speaker could announce, "Prepare for Round One!"
Of course, this suggestion is entirely sarcastic. Democracy functions best when disagreements are resolved through debate rather than confrontation. Citizens elect lawmakers because they expect them to possess better judgment than the average angry social media commenter. Physical aggression inside Parliament damages public trust and weakens respect for democratic institutions.
The events of May 31, 2026, should therefore serve as a reminder that Parliament exists to exchange ideas, not blows. Nepal's lawmakers have every right to disagree passionately. They have every right to protest, criticize, and challenge one another. But once political competition turns into physical confrontation, Parliament begins to resemble a battlefield rather than a democratic institution.
Until that lesson is fully learned, however, a karate uniform might prove to be the most practical parliamentary dress code of all.
About the author
LB Thapa holds a Black Belt 2nd Don in Shito-Ryu karate. He is one of the pioneers to introduce Shito-ryu karate in Pokhara. Over 20 years ago, he gave karate training to the students of Mt. Annapurna School, Bhandardhik, Pokhara, Amar Singh High School, Pokhara, Hill Point Boarding School, Pokhara, Siddhartha English Boarding School, Pokhara and Amar Jyoti Boarding School, Pokhara.
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