Durga Prasai, who is currently in custody on charges of making statements that could disturb public peace and security, had visited several religious leaders at their monasteries just days before his arrest to talk about his movement and request financial support.
A video of the meeting, filmed shortly before his arrest, was released by Himal News. In the footage, Prasai—wearing a garland—is seen asking religious leaders to contribute financially to support his campaign.
Prasai, who has been running activities under the “National Campaign to Save the Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizens,” claimed that Nepal’s national identity and Hindu religion were under threat. He appealed to the religious leaders for donations, saying the funds were needed to “protect the nation.”
“What can you do to support this movement? A movement cannot run without money. This is my final battle,” he said in the video. “To fight this battle, I need weapons. By weapons, I do not mean guns or bullets. What I need right now is money.”
“This money is not for my personal use. I am asking because the nation needs it,” he added. “I am a monk without saffron robes. I am a devotee of Goddess Durga. When I visited Pathivara Temple, I did not ask anything for my children. I prayed for the strength to change this system and this constitution. If I fail to bring this change, I told Goddess Pathivara that I would not show my face again.”
Approach to Bank CEOs and Upcoming Bankers’ Meeting
Prasai’s efforts to collect donations were not limited to religious leaders. It has also been confirmed that he reached out to chief executives of several banks and financial institutions seeking financial support. Around half a dozen CEOs verified that they had received letters from Prasai’s team asking for contributions.
“They sent a letter asking for financial assistance,” one CEO said. Another CEO shared that Prasai’s representatives had contacted them verbally as well. “Before his arrest, he spoke to us directly asking for support,” the CEO said, quoting Prasai as saying, “You have supported Congress and UML in the past. Now, you need to support me.”
Prasai, who has been pushing for loan waivers, reportedly told the CEOs that he was not campaigning against banks but against the constitution, and therefore they should help him just as they had helped political parties in the past.
“Do not think that I am against banks. I am not against them. My movement is against the constitution. So support me now just as you supported Congress and UML,” the CEO quoted him as saying. According to the CEOs, they are preparing to raise the issue of Prasai’s donation requests at the Nepal Bankers’ Association meeting scheduled for Friday.
We also spoke with several entrepreneurs and businesspeople regarding what some have described as “donation intimidation.” About half a dozen businesspeople said that Prasai had not approached them for money.
Escalating Statements, Arrest, and Supreme Court Order
In recent weeks, Prasai had been making increasingly provocative statements. He claimed the country was heading toward civil war and urged people to store food and supplies, creating fear and confusion among those who believed his viral social-media messages.
He had also been accusing political figures and public personalities from the private sector of various misconduct, spreading unverified and misleading claims that authorities say amounted to incitement against the state.
Amid these developments, Prasai was arrested after making personal, derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Sushila Karki and issuing inflammatory statements targeting the police. Prasai has been arrested several times in the past, including on cybercrime-related charges.
This is his fourth arrest. The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to present him before the court within 24 hours. Prasai had also urged religious leaders to mobilize saints and devotees from across the country to participate in his movement.
