TGIF gone bad: 300 students caught in Babylon Disco

TGIF_raid It has been some time the kids enjoy the “Thank God It is Friday (TGIF)” parties every Friday, until the cops wanted to interfere today, March 19, 2010. More than300 students (313, to be exact) from 21 different colleges in the capital were arrested in Babylon Disco of Sundhara on Friday morning at 10 am. The Kathmandu police has started a series of raids on dance bars, discos and restaurants of the capital two days back. Last time police unearthed hidden dance bar, X Bar, in Sundhara and other dance bars on Wednesday.

The students caught in the raid were in their college and school uniforms when the police entered the bars accompanied by media persons. Students represented Sigma, Redhon, Youth Vision, Siddharth Banasthali, Golden Academy, Caspian, Prime, Nobel British Gurkha Academy and NCC among other colleges and schools in the capital. The discos usually organize such parties on Friday targeting students and encouraging to bunk classes to attend the parties, infamous with name TGIF.

Apart from partying and dancing, the students were also found consuming alcoholic drinks and drugs. The proprietor of one of the discotheques has also been arrested for investigation.

Photo gallery from the raid:

In this context, I read boingboing post a month back, featuring a photo of Patan Hospital wall news clipping – I guessed what the boys actually do… and it turned up to be true:

two newspaper clippings circa 2002 and 2003 that remind us that alcoholism is very bad for society. According to these snippets, alcoholism (and in the former case, girls too) cause disco brawls and premature death. I left this bulletin board itching to know what the continuation of the first article was. What is it that boys usually do at Babylon disco?

It is clear, such discotheques have been the best places for 3Ds (Drugs, Dance, and Drink), not recommended for decent boys and girls. These places were popular among men (and, women) to pick a partner for a night (or, a day). It is unlikely, the police were unaware of such activities in those places.

In this context, some questions remain unanswered:

  • Why they raid the places now not before?
  • What does the timing signifies: Raids in two prominent dance bars and discotheques in a week?
  • Will there be more raids in near future?
  • Do the raids have something to do with the resignation of the deputy home minister, Rizwan Anshari, a few days back? He was complaining of the Home Minister being a bully.

19 thoughts on “TGIF gone bad: 300 students caught in Babylon Disco

  1. Pingback: xNepali frontpage archive | Nepali Movies, Entertainment
  2. U r right if they donot do any mistake then they will not cover their hands instead they came against it but they are sure that they are doing mistake so they cover their face

  3. Its simple… those are above 18+ must be allowed to have fun (legally acceptable), BUT, with their own money NOT from parent’s pocket. And those who think that they should live freely should do so with their own money NOT from parent’s money. Parent’s who finance their children to do whatver they want are stupid and irresponsible.

  4. Oh man!!
    this isn’t good!! They can’t do this!!
    Why colleges only concentrate on toppers & geeks and the students, at this age, are sure looking for something that’s really fun & exciting!
    They have a very few options! this was one of them!! I’ve done this myself many times, but nothing ever happened! & I feel really bad about this!
    They should be allowed to do partying & fun! Educational institutions should be more concerned about this & accept the change!!
    they have proms & other parties in other countries but we have nothing here more than the welcome & farewell party of college!! Those who compromise with what they have remain in the college & those who want more go to have some fun!
    As they have to do it secretly, there is more risk of alcohol & drugs!
    Nepali society kaile khulne ho yesto kura ma? this is all due to our society!

  5. Guys, i ve studied in Kathmandu.
    I ve bunked classes some times, gone ishani club, godavari resorts, gone to resturants, bt neva a disco, though my parents knew it later.
    The press and the media, who ever were present at location(babylon) should think, not to portray the scene negatively, instead, could do it in any positive way. Students were doing wrong bunking, taking drugs, but it is a disaster for the student, parents, and relatives to see their child’s picture on TV n newspaper, for such matters. It could lead to mental disturbance, Suicides etc.
    Every one are in such matters at one point or the other in life, should this have happend with them, it could be shameful aint it? Any ways,i discourage bunking, and young students in kathmandu for sure are going in wrong direction, this news might be influencial for some, and discourage these activities.
    Hope police raids all the 2nd places, of illegal things done. n see the actual culprits behind bars.
    All opinions are highly appreciated.

  6. ya these stupid bunkers dnt undastand the value of money parents n their studies.they jst wanna liv a free life but they cant move ahead like this bunkin parties.wat they wanna b in future?they cnt even b a gud son student nor a gud person if they dnt open their eyes soon

  7. It’SSSSSSSSSSSSSS police ko kam chaina kaha ke huncha tiyo chiyo charcha garyo basyo paisa khana palkeko cha tehi bhayera hola ni.fristly! main kura ta police uneducated pani tyo bhayera ni ho hami le understanding garna ni parcha nepal is a hindu country bhayeko karan le alik chada pan pajdaina haina ra.

  8. Wat the hell??????????Arrey timiharuka bauaamale timiharulaii college ma padhna ko lagi pathaeka hun not for bunking and all that hoii???Paisa rukhma umridaina nani babuharu ho….kamauna jannuparchha…k free ma timiharulai testa mahanga college ma pathaeka hun ra padhna???Understand na yaar…Timiharuka bauaama ka pani timiharulai thula collegema padhaera kehi banaune sapana hola ni…hoina ra????y dunt yu f*******ppl juzz dont understand huh???tryina understand hoii????From nxt tym think ov them…society….n yrself too…got it???

  9. @nepali and shit on you
    who the hell r u. y r u blaming those student. do u think they are criminals or they had done any illegal work. disco janu hudina banera kun law ma lekhako cha. tini haru ko life ho tini haru le k enjoy garnu hudai na. ktm police haru kam paudaina bichara student haru lai mental torture dincha. ktm ma din dinnai murder, chori , robbery haru bade rakeko cha tyo chai paila control garnu chaina student haru lai pakadera khub thulo kam gare jasto lagcha hola. tyo muji media person haru chai k tya k garna ako public laidekunu nai cha bane politician, policeman haru le bribe le ko dekaunnu.
    tyo sab police haru ek number ko harmai haru hun. student haru lai pakadera hasi rakeko chan as if they had caught a terrorist. kun chi aile ko generation haru lai party ma disco ma jana man lagdaina. yo sab police haru pani 3rd class ko hunchan din ma chai pura ramro huna khoj chan rathi baye pachi bhalu hanna janchan. arey yar khei garnu nai cha bhane desh lai ramro hune kam garnu nu, society ma peace laune kam garnu criminal lai pakadnu.
    even i am against drug and alcohol but ktm police ra media j garo tyo thik gare na.

  10. Do we have any Law’s or rules and regulations concerning students in nepal , No possibly not as I guess if there’s no any Laws ,It’s not students fault to go to Disco nor their parents , If government want to stop happenings like this than Government must make new law and enforce it like in other country :
    Under 18 are not allowed to buy Cigarette , Beers , Alcohol .And people under 18 are not allowed to go to Disco / Bars .
    And peoples who are over 18 Must produce their ID cards to confirm their Birth Dates .
    People who are over 18 and are in School dress / College Uniform are not allowed to enter Disco / Bar and are not allowed to buy Cigarette , Beers , Alcohol . If shopkeeper sell it then they will have to face legal charges . If Bouncer allowed to enter in Disco / Bar to Students in School / College Uniform even thou they are legal age over 18 , Disco owner will get charged with legal issues in here , So , Nepal government must make some laws like this and stop blaming Students and their Parents .
    * Can’t Student enjoy their life as they wish ??
    Yeh, we can but I suggest you all my Dear friends Do Not Bunk and Party in School
    Uniforms that’s really BAD . We are young and Dumb and we like to do forbidden things , I know it too but You can party in any Disco if you are 18+ in anywhere in this world but be in out dress in mean not in uniform.
    Don’t Do Drugs and Alcohol and Smoke

  11. manche marne apradhi lai pakadna na sakne police haru le bichara schoole bidhyarthi haru lai mental torchor dinu kattiko uchit ho tyo tini haru aafai le sochnu parne kura ho . ra kun anuhar liyera bar /bar raid hanna janchan kunni tyo ta tini haru lai nai thaha hola .. nepal ko kun kanun ma lekheko cha ra dress lagayera disco janu hunna bhanera . na ta tyo dress code banaune lai thaha cha na ta lagaune lai nai ra tyes lai kasari maintain garne bhanera pani kahi katai khulayera bhaniyeko chaina. yedi tini haru gaye ta gaye aafnai paisa le gaye , tini haru ko a aafno adhikar ko kura ho . yedi tini haru minority thiye bhane tini haru lai bhitra chirna dine club haru lai karbahi gareko khai ta?? … tyes mathi patrakar bhanine jana samudaye haru .. laj lagnu parne ho … k thik k bethik bhanera aawaj uthaunu ta kaha ho kaha .. aajhai bachha haru ko photo khichcher aafu lai garvwanbit thachan .. thukka…

  12. I didnt understand what the is wrong on you all.. What your college, society, country and your parents accept on you.. I think your family nvr did encourage to bunk your class and go disco to enjoy..U all r an .. Shame on you all.. You all are making joke of educational institute by going to those hell place on dress..U just need to get your down to floor.. y the u r flying high.. Plz think once what did u get?? reputation by covering the face?? Some more you SUMINA, what’s wrong on you? r u mentally sick?? how could you blame on them who did tried to take picture of you all?? They did attempt a great job coz they did made aware to every teen students like us.. Thanks to them.. And u SUMINA or what ever, just shut your mouth….or put my inside your mouth… just a BULLSHIT….DAMN U ALL.. BLOODY PEOPLE…

  13. Is there any rule that students shouldn’t party in college uniform?I am sure there is not.It seems normal to burn tyre and block the road but partying in uniform is bad.Why the hell is kathmandu police more interested in publicizing such raids?I am sure among those 300 students ,there are many students who have reached there for the first time. Who thinks about the mental torture they have gone thru?why did the media people present them as a nasty criminal?Why were they surrounded by many cameras?
    Ktm police should not call media in such raids.They can never proof their efficiency from such trivial raids.

    PS: But it doesnt mean that i support student taking drugs and alcohols in party..

  14. सुमिना!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    when i read your f***ing comment i laughed 9 time and just thought about this
    अनुहार छोपेर हिँडेका हामीलाई नजिकबाट उनीहरु आफ्नो क्यामेरामा कैद गर्न चाहन्थे।
    You felt ,you were doing nothing and thats common for you ,why you were hesitating to face the media . COME ON if you can , do it,,,i know all scared with their family and you are not exceptional ,,,,,,,, its all about your personal life but that does not mean that you can join hidden dance bar, X Bar,. All colleges listed in the News have their own reputation and prestige and wow how easily You diiminised your college’s reputation …..Lastly good luck for next time . hope cops do not arrest you again b****

    • I agree with you…if you guys thinks you had done nothing wrong then why are you hiding your faces like criminal…if you think you were right on moral grounds you can have taken the arrest with your head high…

  15. हो, बंक गरेर मैले गल्ती गरेँ तर..

    खासमा म हिजो कलेजै गएकी थिएँ। तर १२ कक्षाका छिमेकी दिदीको करले बाटैबाट पहिलो पटक सुन्धाराको बेबीलोन डिस्को पुगेकी हुँ। उनकै साथीले आयोजना गरेको रे भन्दै टिकट पनि नलाग्ने भनेपछि हेरिहालौँ न त कस्तो हुँदो रहेछ भनी म त्यहाँ गएकी हुँ। तर डिस्कोको रमझम हैन, बित्थामा ६ घण्टा पुलिसको थुनामा बसेर मानसिक यातना भोग्नुपर्‍यो। चर्को गीतमा मस्त डान्स हुँदै थियो। अचानक चारैतिरबाट प्रहरीले घेरा हालेपछि भागाभाग मच्चियो। साँघुरो ठाउँमा धेरै मान्छे थिए, धन्न अप्रिय घटना भएन।

    सबभन्दा अप्ठेरो मलाई डिस्कोबाट प्रहरीको ट्रकमा बस्दा भयो। पत्रकारहरु भिडियो र स्टिल क्यामेरा तेर्स्याएर यसरी बसेका थिए, मानौँ कुनै माछा जालमा फँस्दैछ। मानौँ, हामी कुनै ठूलै अपराधी हौँ। अनुहार छोपेर हिँडेका हामीलाई नजिकबाट उनीहरु आफ्नो क्यामेरामा कैद गर्न चाहन्थे।

    हामीलाई भेडाबाख्रा सरह कोची भृकुटीमण्डपको पुलिस क्लबको हलमा छ घण्टासम्म राखियो। ३१२ जना केटा र ४४ जना केटी गरी ३५६ जना थियौँ हामी त्यहाँ। पछि हामीलाई आइन्दा ड्रेसमा डान्स नगर्ने वाचा गराई नाम ठेगाना लेखेर छाडियो।

    हो, कलेज बंक गर्नु मेरो गल्ती थियो। अझ स्कूल ड्रेसमा नै यसरी प्रहरीको नियन्त्रणमा जानुपर्दा त साह्रै नरमाइलो लाग्यो। तर मलाई लाग्दैन म कुनै अवैध ठाउँमा गएकी हुँ। अवैध ठाउँमा जाँदा पनि जाँदिन थिएँ म। अहिले मात्रै हैन, दुई तीन वर्षदेखि सिनियर दिदीहरु यस्ता बं‍क पार्टीमा जाने गरेको मैले आफ्नै आँखाले देखेको छु। खै त्यतिबेला त केही पनि हुँदैन थियो। सरकारले मान्यता दिएकैले त यस्ता डिस्कोहरु खुलेका होलान् नि। नत्र त खोल्नै नपाइनु पर्ने हो।

    हामी फुच्चेहरु बेफ्वाँकमा फन्दामा परेका हौँ। यस्ता डान्स सञ्चालनै नहुने हो भने हामी पुग्दै पुग्दैन थियौँ। प्रहरी र सञ्चालकको मिलेमतोमा यस्ता डिस्कोहरु संरक्षित नभएको भए यत्रो वर्ष यस्तै काम कसरी जारी रह्यो ? के अब बंक पार्टीहरु हुँदै हुँदैनन् त ?

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