KATHMANDU: Kamal Koirala, one of Nepal’s most distinctive political figures, passed away on March 30, 2025, at the age of 87. His death marks the end of an era for both his family and the political discourse of the country.

Kamal Koirala was a man whose life was defined by his defiance, non-traditional thoughts, and unwavering commitment to his beliefs. Born into the powerful Koirala political dynasty, Kamal’s defiant spirit distinguished him as he challenged both his family’s legacy and the prevailing political norms of his time.

Early Years and Political Rebellion

Kamal Koirala was born into the influential Koirala family, a name deeply associated with political power in Nepal. His grandfather, Krishna Prasad Koirala, had three sons—Matrika Prasad Koirala, BP Koirala, and Girija Prasad Koirala—each of whom went on to serve as Prime Ministers of the country.

His father, Matrika Prasad Koirala, served as Prime Minister of Nepal during a tumultuous period in the country’s history. Matrika was a prominent leader in Nepal’s political landscape, a figure who played a crucial role in the post-monarchy era. Yet, for Kamal, the towering legacy of his father was not a path to follow but a system to challenge.

Kamal Koirala’s political journey was one of contradictions—an embodiment of the complex nature of Nepal’s political history. Despite coming from a family with deep ties to the Nepali Congress, Kamal aligned himself with communist ideologies, rejecting the politics of his father.

Growing up in the political corridors of power, Kamal’s journey into politics was hardly conventional. While his father represented the establishment, Kamal was drawn to ideologies that sought to overturn the status quo. His early political life was characterized by his opposition to his father’s policies, a defiance that soon caught the public’s attention.

In the mid-1950s, as a teenager, Kamal was already at the forefront of protests against his father’s government. At the time, Matrika Prasad had broken away from the Nepali Congress to form the Rashtriya Praja Party, a move that ultimately brought him to power with the backing of King Mahendra.

Kamal, however, was far from a loyalist. As his father held the reins of government, Kamal found himself on the streets, protesting against what he viewed as authoritarian rule. His protests were a bold expression of youth defiance, with his 1955 arrest making international headlines, including a story in The New York Times under the headline, “Son Arrested for Trying to Overthrow His Father’s Rule in Nepal.”

This was the beginning of Kamal’s lifelong rebellion against the establishment, a theme that would continue to define his political and diplomatic career.

A Communist at Heart

Though born into a prominent Congress family, Kamal Koirala was drawn to the ideas of Marxism and communism. His ideological shift was not a simple reactionary stance but a conscious decision to align himself with a political ideology that resonated with his desire for social justice and reform.

His defection from Congress, and his subsequent involvement in communist movements, was seen as an act of defiance against his family’s political establishment.

Kamal’s shift to communism was not merely ideological; it was a personal revolt against the very system that had brought his father to power. While Matrika Koirala was in the halls of Singha Durbar, Kamal was outside, advocating for the rights of the common people and the underprivileged.

His opposition to his father was not born of personal animosity, but rather out of a belief that Nepal’s future lay in breaking away from the traditional political structures that had long dominated the country.

Ambassador to South Korea and the Buddha Controversy

One of Kamal Koirala’s most notable achievements came during his time as Nepal’s Ambassador to South Korea. His diplomatic career, though unconventional, was marked by his fierce commitment to Nepal’s interests on the international stage.

Kamal’s tenure as ambassador was not just about fostering bilateral relations; it was also about confronting issues that he felt were vital to Nepal’s identity and dignity.

In 2007, Kamal Koirala discovered that South Korean textbooks listed India as the birthplace of the Buddha, a direct affront to Nepal’s historical and cultural pride. The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Buddha, is located in Lumbini, Nepal—a fact that has been a source of national pride for generations.

Kamal Koirala took swift action, writing an open letter to then-South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, demanding that the error be corrected in the country’s textbooks. The letter, widely covered in the Korean media, forced the South Korean government to acknowledge the mistake, and the textbooks were eventually revised.

Kamal’s diplomatic action not only safeguarded Nepal’s cultural heritage but also earned him the respect of the Korean government and people.

Kamal’s diplomatic career was characterized by his ability to navigate complex international relationships while ensuring that Nepal’s voice was heard on the global stage.

His actions in South Korea were a testament to his unique ability to use diplomacy as a tool for national pride and self-respect. He was not just a passive observer of global affairs; he was a hands-on diplomat who actively shaped the narrative about Nepal on the world stage.

A Legacy of Political Defiance

Kamal Koirala’s political journey was one of contradictions—an embodiment of the complex nature of Nepal’s political history. Despite coming from a family with deep ties to the Nepali Congress, Kamal aligned himself with communist ideologies, rejecting the politics of his father.

Over the years, he would continue to shift allegiances, most recently joining the Unified Socialist Party after the UML split. His defection from the larger, more powerful UML to join a smaller faction led by Madhav Nepal was another example of Kamal’s refusal to bow to conventional political pressures.

It was a move that further cemented his image as a political maverick—someone who would not be confined to any one ideology or political party.

His rebellious nature was not confined to the streets or the political arena. Kamal was also a scholar and a writer, deeply engaged in the intellectual currents of Nepal’s political thought. His upcoming book, BP, Matrika, and Delhi, is an attempt to chronicle the complex relationship between the Koirala family and the political power structures in Nepal.

Kamal’s work is not just an exploration of political history; it was a personal reckoning with his family’s legacy, his own identity, and his belief in a different future for Nepal.

A Diplomatic Career Beyond the Ordinary

Kamal Koirala’s contributions to Nepal’s diplomatic landscape were significant, but often overshadowed by his more outspoken political stances.

During his tenure as Nepal’s Ambassador to South Korea, a moment that exemplified his unique diplomatic journey occurred before his formal appointment. Though Kamal had yet to receive his agrément (French for “approval” or “consent”)—the official approval from the South Korean government—he was already being addressed as “His Excellency” by the Korean embassy.

Kamal Koirala was not just a man of politics or diplomacy—he was a man of principle, a man who refused to bow to tradition and who, in doing so, helped shape the modern face of Nepal.

This premature acknowledgment was a testament to the respect and stature he commanded in international circles, as well as his ability to forge meaningful diplomatic relations even before his official role began.

In addition to his work with the South Korean government, Kamal Koirala played a key role in advancing Nepal’s international presence. He was instrumental in Nepal’s membership in the International Exhibition Bureau, a decision that would prove to be a significant step for Nepal’s engagement with global economic diplomacy.

Kamal’s diplomatic career was characterized by his ability to navigate complex international relationships while ensuring that Nepal’s voice was heard on the global stage.

Political Ideals and Influence

Kamal Koirala’s political influence extended beyond the halls of power. His ideas and actions influenced a generation of young Nepalese who viewed him as a symbol of principled defiance against the establishment. His belief in democracy, social justice, and the need for political reform made him a respected figure among progressive factions of Nepalese society.

Though Kamal never achieved the level of political dominance that his father had, his impact on Nepal’s political landscape cannot be understated. His willingness to challenge the status quo, his steadfast commitment to his beliefs, and his refusal to be bound by family ties or political expectations made him a unique figure in Nepal’s political history.

Conclusion

Kamal Koirala’s life was defined by rebellion—rebellion against his father’s political legacy, against the political establishment, and against the conventional paths laid out for him.

Whether it was taking to the streets as a young man, correcting historical inaccuracies about Nepal on the global stage, or navigating the complex world of Nepalese diplomacy, Kamal Koirala was always true to himself.

His death marks the end of a chapter in Nepal’s political history, but his influence and his legacy will continue to inspire those who seek to challenge the status quo and fight for a better future.

Kamal Koirala was not just a man of politics or diplomacy—he was a man of principle, a man who refused to bow to tradition and who, in doing so, helped shape the modern face of Nepal.