Reality of Present Nepal
Media Communications Center
February 20, 2007
By Rajat KC
One of my friends told me other day that one of his relative was looted couple of days ago by a group of the Maoists. Initially the Maoists entered his private residence at night for the purpose of intimidation. But when they found the environment is favourable, they showed the gun and threatened to kill if he did not provide all valuables. Before the looters (Maoists) left the scene threatened the victims not to publicize the matter or to face the consequences if they do so. Such types of incidents are quite common in Kathmandu but people are reluctant to report to the authority due to fear and terror of the Maoists. Hardly any actions are taken by the government even if the incidents are reported probably government considering that such actions will hamper the fragile peace process.
In the heart of Kathmandu city center in the middle of the day a group of Maoists were forcefully asking a small scale financial group to provide one hundred thousands rupees. Some of them were in combat dress and others were with red head band. I do not know finally how much they agreed to give but I could see fear, unwillingness and pettiness at the face of employees of that organization. After a while I was at the main road and faced another group doing same, asking all two and four wheelers at the street to provide money for their party. I refused to give them money by saying I just gave to another group thereby unable to give them again. They gave me nasty looks and turned towards another vehicle. These are all happening in the capital city. One can imagine the real situation outside of the Kathmandu valley mainly in remote areas where the government has no reach.
Same day I drove around the city to watch the reality in other areas. Traffic of city was not so heavy compared to normal day since most of the vehicles were standing at long queue at gas stations due to fuel shortage caused by Terai crisis. I saw similar groups in several places wearing red band on their head with star sign at forehead. The other most unusual thing that I saw was entire city covered by the posters with the Maoist Supremo Prachanda’s picture with different kind of radical propaganda. Almost all walls are full with communist revolutionary slogans. I could not see any single wall painting or poster representing democratic groups. It was just like you are walking in a street of former Soviet Union in forties or fifties. Prachanda’s posters with mustache remind me the poster of Stalin of that time. Both have similarities not only by mustache but also their deed by killing thousands of fellow citizens for their vested interests.
Then I remember the face of Mr. GP Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal, lean and thin and lanky old men. He considered himself as a pillar of democracy. He looks very happy with present achievements and he is very grateful to the Maoist for providing excellent opportunity at this age. The Maoist decorated him with two most important hat, hat of the head of the government as well as the interim head of the state.
Last year, in a crisis situation when a ruling King as a head of the state assumed head of the government’s authority on the basis of constitutional framework for specific periods, that was condemned by alleging it as an act of autocratic move. Now, in similar crisis situation how can we consider it as a democratic move when the Prime Minister is wearing double hats in the presence of traditionally ruling King for indefinite periods with the backing of fundamentalist elements. As a student of political science I really do not understand the dilemma of condemning acts of Monarch as absolute King and accepting Prime Minister as absolute PM.
I remember the days when the Maoist abandoned the parliament and started armed revolution against the constitutional regime. At that time PM Koirala used to say communist is most hatred word for him. During that time he was physically assaulted by the communist at the so called capital of the Maoist in mid western region of Nepal. Surprisingly, with the influence of vested interests, PM Koirala become respectful to the communist and the Maoist become most friendly element of PM Koirala. At this juncture one can easily predict the reason why the Maoists are putting PM Koirala in such platform. It is obviously because of Mr. Koirala’s ill health and old age. The Maoists are hoping that when the old man dies ball will automatically fall in to the Maoist court. It is open secret that the Maoists are creating and manipulating an environment to go the situation as per their game plan.
Democratic political Parties’ including Mr. Koirala’s Nepali Congress are not in a position to organize the political rally or any sort of mass oriented programs any where in country side other than district headquarters due to Maoists obstruction. At least I have not heard any in even after post April period. NC leaders are merely attending programs organized by the Maoist or their various pressure groups to justify the voice raised by the Maoist in different forums. If NC is not in position to organize such programs in capital city how can we expect them to launch political campaign for the election of constituent assembly in any other parts of the country? The rightist political groups are unable to exercise their political rights. They attempted in certain areas but they were badly attacked by the Maoist cadres and local administrations virtually act like silent observer. How can we call it democracy, when main democratic groups can not exercise their political activities in peaceful environment? The targeted date for election for constituent assembly is not far away but the situation of country is like this. In such circumstances how can we expect free and fair election? Even the election is held anyway, the result of the election will not be free and fair.
Realizing the fact of recent Terai upsurge, every one should learn lessons that if any elements of the country are neglected, situation may turn into very nasty direction. So still there is time to adopt inclusive approach; none should be kept neglected and isolated. Otherwise the country will face dangerous consequences. Enough is enough we can not face more bloodshed. Peace for Nepal and Nepali citizen is paramount.
The Maoist continues to stick to their desired ultimate objective, i.e., to make Nepal a totalitarian communist regime. Presently the drama portrayed by them is just to create conducive environment for them to launch their main campaign to achieve their ultimate objective. In fact, fundamental radical one party regime is not the end result perceived by the people of Nepal, which will further push our country in the brink of another seemingly endless bloody civil war. In present context if we want to see Nepal as a peaceful independent sovereign country we require endurance and unity among of us to safeguard our national interest. Most viable choice for us now is all inclusive full fledged multiparty democracy with inclusion of Monarchy on undisputed as well as respectful forms.
(Rajat KC is freelancer and can be reached on email rajatkc@gmail.com)
One of my friends told me other day that one of his relative was looted couple of days ago by a group of the Maoists. Initially the Maoists entered his private residence at night for the purpose of intimidation. But when they found the environment is favourable, they showed the gun and threatened to kill if he did not provide all valuables. Before the looters (Maoists) left the scene threatened the victims not to publicize the matter or to face the consequences if they do so. Such types of incidents are quite common in Kathmandu but people are reluctant to report to the authority due to fear and terror of the Maoists. Hardly any actions are taken by the government even if the incidents are reported probably government considering that such actions will hamper the fragile peace process.
In the heart of Kathmandu city center in the middle of the day a group of Maoists were forcefully asking a small scale financial group to provide one hundred thousands rupees. Some of them were in combat dress and others were with red head band. I do not know finally how much they agreed to give but I could see fear, unwillingness and pettiness at the face of employees of that organization. After a while I was at the main road and faced another group doing same, asking all two and four wheelers at the street to provide money for their party. I refused to give them money by saying I just gave to another group thereby unable to give them again. They gave me nasty looks and turned towards another vehicle. These are all happening in the capital city. One can imagine the real situation outside of the Kathmandu valley mainly in remote areas where the government has no reach.
Same day I drove around the city to watch the reality in other areas. Traffic of city was not so heavy compared to normal day since most of the vehicles were standing at long queue at gas stations due to fuel shortage caused by Terai crisis. I saw similar groups in several places wearing red band on their head with star sign at forehead. The other most unusual thing that I saw was entire city covered by the posters with the Maoist Supremo Prachanda’s picture with different kind of radical propaganda. Almost all walls are full with communist revolutionary slogans. I could not see any single wall painting or poster representing democratic groups. It was just like you are walking in a street of former Soviet Union in forties or fifties. Prachanda’s posters with mustache remind me the poster of Stalin of that time. Both have similarities not only by mustache but also their deed by killing thousands of fellow citizens for their vested interests.
Then I remember the face of Mr. GP Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal, lean and thin and lanky old men. He considered himself as a pillar of democracy. He looks very happy with present achievements and he is very grateful to the Maoist for providing excellent opportunity at this age. The Maoist decorated him with two most important hat, hat of the head of the government as well as the interim head of the state.
Last year, in a crisis situation when a ruling King as a head of the state assumed head of the government’s authority on the basis of constitutional framework for specific periods, that was condemned by alleging it as an act of autocratic move. Now, in similar crisis situation how can we consider it as a democratic move when the Prime Minister is wearing double hats in the presence of traditionally ruling King for indefinite periods with the backing of fundamentalist elements. As a student of political science I really do not understand the dilemma of condemning acts of Monarch as absolute King and accepting Prime Minister as absolute PM.
I remember the days when the Maoist abandoned the parliament and started armed revolution against the constitutional regime. At that time PM Koirala used to say communist is most hatred word for him. During that time he was physically assaulted by the communist at the so called capital of the Maoist in mid western region of Nepal. Surprisingly, with the influence of vested interests, PM Koirala become respectful to the communist and the Maoist become most friendly element of PM Koirala. At this juncture one can easily predict the reason why the Maoists are putting PM Koirala in such platform. It is obviously because of Mr. Koirala’s ill health and old age. The Maoists are hoping that when the old man dies ball will automatically fall in to the Maoist court. It is open secret that the Maoists are creating and manipulating an environment to go the situation as per their game plan.
Democratic political Parties’ including Mr. Koirala’s Nepali Congress are not in a position to organize the political rally or any sort of mass oriented programs any where in country side other than district headquarters due to Maoists obstruction. At least I have not heard any in even after post April period. NC leaders are merely attending programs organized by the Maoist or their various pressure groups to justify the voice raised by the Maoist in different forums. If NC is not in position to organize such programs in capital city how can we expect them to launch political campaign for the election of constituent assembly in any other parts of the country? The rightist political groups are unable to exercise their political rights. They attempted in certain areas but they were badly attacked by the Maoist cadres and local administrations virtually act like silent observer. How can we call it democracy, when main democratic groups can not exercise their political activities in peaceful environment? The targeted date for election for constituent assembly is not far away but the situation of country is like this. In such circumstances how can we expect free and fair election? Even the election is held anyway, the result of the election will not be free and fair.
Realizing the fact of recent Terai upsurge, every one should learn lessons that if any elements of the country are neglected, situation may turn into very nasty direction. So still there is time to adopt inclusive approach; none should be kept neglected and isolated. Otherwise the country will face dangerous consequences. Enough is enough we can not face more bloodshed. Peace for Nepal and Nepali citizen is paramount.
The Maoist continues to stick to their desired ultimate objective, i.e., to make Nepal a totalitarian communist regime. Presently the drama portrayed by them is just to create conducive environment for them to launch their main campaign to achieve their ultimate objective. In fact, fundamental radical one party regime is not the end result perceived by the people of Nepal, which will further push our country in the brink of another seemingly endless bloody civil war. In present context if we want to see Nepal as a peaceful independent sovereign country we require endurance and unity among of us to safeguard our national interest. Most viable choice for us now is all inclusive full fledged multiparty democracy with inclusion of Monarchy on undisputed as well as respectful forms.
(Rajat KC is freelancer and can be reached on email rajatkc@gmail.com)
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