Any method for extracting money in the name of tradition should be strictly discouraged. Deusi and bhailo should be continued as a part of our tradition and for fun. But as far as bheti is concerned anything one offers should be acceptable. There shouldn’t be any compulsion and no rates should be fixed.

— Manisha Koirala

Deusi and bhailo were never meant for extracting money. But, it’s a common practice now for deusi groups to bargain for more bheti without any shame. We ourselves are responsible for encouraging this practice as we fear our social status declines when we offer a scanty sum as bheti. There should be a limit for bheti. Firstly, once the maximum limit is maintained, those playing deusi and bhailo will not expect a bulky bundle of notes. Secondly, rich people wanting to show off by offering a thick bheti, will be discouraged from doing so.

— Shertok Lama

We must honour and continue our cultural traditions but at the same time maintain its significance. Those who play deusi and bhailo for the sake of money are tarnishing the image of a festival that has meant a lot to us.

— Priya

The recent practice has encouraged fixing a hefty amount for bheti. Bheti should depend on what one is capable of offering rather than being forced to pay something they can’t afford.

— Chandra Prakash Gautam

Gone are the days when Tihar used to see people go door-to-door singing, dancing to the beat jhyaure and maruni. Performers used to be content with whatever they were offered as bheti and offer blessings and bid adieu on happy note. Now people visit houses perform waltz in R&B style and demand bheti in thousands. Sometimes the house owner is threatened if their demands are not met. The authorities concerned should fix bheti for deusi and bhailo and punish the violaters.

— Sajan Subedi-Chhampi

The practice of demanding bheti is the indication of changing cultural behaviour. Such practices are growing because we are being negligent about the values attached to them. We ourselves are responsible for this state of affairs, as we have encouraged such malpractices. Authorities now should fix the maximum bheti amount and society should discourage such practice.

— Ajay Subedi

Deusi and bhailo are our society is an age-old cultural tradition. But it has lost its cultural and religious value. It has become yet another means of illicitly extracting money in the name of religion. Particularly, when a majority of Nepalis are burdened with a financial crisis its just another burden saddled upon them. We must continue this tradition but only to celebrate the occasion of festivity and not as a means of extracting money.

— Enija Shrestha

Deusi and bhailo are our culture and tradition. But bheti should be offered depending on what people are willing to offer rather than what is forcefully demanded. I think government and authorities concerned should take initiatives to stop this horrendous practice. People should discourage them by not bowing to their exorbitant demands.

— Aatish Singh

Deusi and bhailo, demanding for a huge sum of money in the name of bheti can’t be in anyway regarded a part of our culture. Deusi and bhailo groups, in earlier times accepted what was offered to them as bheti from households. But the new practice of making huge demands for bheti should be strictly discouraged. As we have seen no positive result by fixing the bheti prices in the past years, the concerned authorities should now strictly check and straight away punish such groups if found.

— Sagar Shrestha

Festivals represent our culture, religion and the way of life. Everyone has the right to enjoy festivals in their own way. But unnecessary demands for bheti are a nuisance and spoil the festive mood of the occasion. Moreover, it’s even worse when threats are used to extract money. Such practices should be abolished.

— Tanka Doranga

In today’s life cultural activities are more important than ever to get out of the daily chaos and also to keep people from bad habits like playing cards and drinking. It has also become infected with people using such festive occassions for their own benefit and there is a growing trend of thugs who have got a new way of earning money. In my personal view, localities should set up communitties and only members of the community should be allowed to participate in such festive and cultural programmes, and not the thugs.

— Binay Nath Shrestha

Deusi and bhailo are medium to remember our culture and get entertained . But we have encourage the trend for huge daan demands by keeping quiet. Bheti should be given happily according to one’s desire and ability. Groups demanding a certain amount must be admonished and discouraged. Albiet bheti that deusi and bhailo groups should get must not be fixed as bheti is all about desire and ability.

— Prakash Bhetwal

I think such a practice will not be controlled by just setting up rules by a controlling body. It is the mentality of people playing deusi and bhailo that should be changed convincing them that this is not a money-making tool. The ongoing trend of extracting money from people gives a wrong impression and undermines the importance of our culture. We should not support the wrong practice of extracting money from people. I personally feel the authorities should fix bhetis that are to be given.

— Kishor Panth

We have seen people taking advantage of festivals to make money. It is like looting people without doing anything wrong, where their weapon deusi and bhailo. This not only deteriorates our tradition and culture but also increases our responsibility to preserve them. The authorities concerned must remain alert and raise awareness on time. But fixing the bheti sounds like fixing the culture and tradition.

— Nabin Shrestha

I think if deusi and bhailo have a social objective or the groups have planned to use the bheti in some useful way, then there is no problem in them extracting money. But if there is no positive use, it would be better to fix the bheti amount.

— Balram Khyungba