Ratna Redux
Finally got to the big rally.....
blogdai estimated the crowd to be at 650,000--plus or minus (below).
Streets were blocked off. The entire Ratna park, including the off limits no-entry zone were filled to capacity. Kantipath from Ratna up to the palace and west to Asan Tole was full as well. Durbar marg up to the Royal Palace's "zone of safety" was also chock full of people.
Vendor's were doing a brisk business in jewelry, melons and corn, yet the atmosphere was far from festive.
blogdai stayed directly on the grounds about one hundred meters from the speaker's podium for over an hour. Something was not right. It finally occured to blogdai that the entire gathering was under an eerie pall of silence. I have never heard such silence from a group this large. No smiles no chanting, nothing. You expect the crowd to respond to the speaker from time to time, but again, nothing.
Only one word to describe it: repressive.
From the looks on the faces of those attending, no one wanted to be there, save the small minority of those zealous angry teen Maoists shepherd dogs (above) who handled gate entry and passed out literature. Overall, a very underwhelming "show of force" from the Maobadis. No wonder K.P. Oli was able to muster up the courage to publicly condemn maoist threats today in the Himalayan Times.
We saw it in the April protests and now we see it again at Ratna Park: The maoist's operating tactic of using a few agressive individuals to coerce a large multitude once again worked to a tee. They are masterfully leveraging a small force of activists against a peace-loving and compliant public.
Prepare for the peacetalks to break down. Prepare for more months of conflict. Prepare to be led to the slaughter, Nepalis, if you continue to act like sheep in the face of these violent little boys.
-=blogdai
posted by blogdai @ 6/03/2006 10:44:00 PM
35 comments
35 Comments:
Wow, that many...
I suppose it was a public holiday. The Maobadi would have known this would swell the crowds because we Nepalis love a good circus. I had a look at the UWB coverage and it seems that many people were there out of sheer curiousity and to have a nice picnic.
naagboy
Just heard that Prachanda did not show up for fear of being assassinated by RAW or CIA. This goes to show- the real supermo
That many people! You like them or not, have to say a large majority of people are being attracted towards Maoists and are willing to forgive them for past mistakes if they show willingness to change and bring something new for the country. If there were elections today pitting King Gyanendra, GP Koirala, M Nepal and Prachanda against each other (in some sort of hypothetical presidential elction), I believe Prachanda will win - may be not for his policies but for the desire of people to see a change.
Sagar
whenever the Indian embassy here wants it can bring down ten thousand paid-people on the streets for protests
Blogdai,
I was there at the rally. My estimate of the number of people is way below yours. Being an engineer by profession, I estimated the total number of people by the size of Ratna Park and the average space a human being takes to either stand or sit. by all my estimates, the total number of people inside the park could not go beyond 60,000. The number of people outside was much much less, maybe 20,000 all told. Even at the height of the jan andolan, the total number of protestors in the streets did not cross 500,000 and as you will remember it felt like the whole of Kathmandu was out in force in those days.
The way I look at it, if the maoists were able to bring only 60 odd thousand people to Kathmandu for such an important rally, maybe we are overestimating these chaps. maybe they are also desperate to be part of the democratic setup.
Where are you BD? This is the time to save the nation, your forum gives us place to vent our angst and hopefully form an organization to do our Duty to protect and serve mother Nepal.
What's the matter, no comment or news for the last 8 days???
Easy all, just wrote an article for Dharma Adhikari http://www.nepalmonitor.com/2006/06/covering_nepal_westernstyle.html
Will be deep in the doo-doo for the next few days but will check in periodically to give up my usual vitriol.
We will all get there together.
-=blogdai
yes yes yes...koirala has returned from his swearing into office in delhi...UML is baying for blood and a democratic republic keeping in line with its 'political wing of the maoist forces' role..koirala has to keep G on the throne coz that was the payoff from his masters in delhi as the price of power...and the maoists are just buying time as the 6 remaining parties face what the ozzies call 'mental disintegration' ...this is as good as it gets..hope the monsoon is good this year coz thats going to be the only good news coming out of Nepal
Did you guys read the article about "merger between India and Nepal." If not read it, please
http://indiaenews.com/2006-06/11092-nepal-merger-india.htm
a little simple history acknowledgement instead of all this frothing little boy madness would have told the demonstrators that the remaining parties have always been in a state of disintegration. blogdai remembers best when the maoists were conducting a particularly bloody series of campaigns, our boys koirala and deuba were arguing over who had the right to carry the nc banner at their ridiculous convention.
The maoists conveniently placed their ceasefire during the monsoon as everyone knows nothing will happen during the rains anyhow. Our job here at blogdai will be to prepare for the fall rebellion--yes it will happen. We will be initiating a bit of an action campaign prior to then, so lets here some ideas. ive got a few things lined up but its always better when we all chip in
-=blogdai
-
Let me know, I will chip in from every aspect. Just give a hint or notice. count me in, anytime. If you want to be discreet, advise me the way to contact you
"ive got a few things lined up but its always better when we all chip in"
surely you missed out the end of that sentence: "...and i take the credit"
Blogdai,
1) You can publish this comment.
2) Everything that we SPAM haters do should be hidden for a while. We will make sure that we get rid of SPAM in the best peaceful possible way and in the best diplomatic way. We will take them with the same plan with which they took Nepal. Now, I will not discuss their plans here.
None of us should make our plans public. We will take them by surprise and attack at the time when it hits hard and attack at the place where it hurts the most. We need to be careful of every move, every person, every thing.
It should be a united effort from all of us. We need a common platform because at the moment we are working for the same cause from different ways.
Blog dai,
It must be really tough for you to realize that brutal and autocratic King's regime is the past, and peace is on the horizon. I am convinced that you do not want to see peace in Nepal and so you are so against any dialogue with the Maoists.
Your analysis are always wrong. You were wrong when you said that there will not be any attacks after last year's monsoon cease fire. You were wrong when you said that SPA will not agree to the second offer from Gyane. You will be wrong about the fall rebellion as well.
SPA, Maoists, and people have moved on whereas you are desperately trying to hang on to the past. There is a high probability of Shah dynasty being a history after CA election. Your only possible savior is Girija. How do you feel about kissing him after kicking him so many times. As I have said earlier, 'We were never this close to peace' ever in the past including your dear King's regime.
Your level of disconnect is remarkable.
You know, one just can't pick statements out of context and build a credible argument. Really, please do some research and ask someone to help you with your comprehension before you make statements. No, there have been no large scale maoists attacks since the last monsoon. Did you understand that article of mine? The idea was to show that Maoists no longer had the capacity for large scale attacks a-la Phaphlu. And where or where did you get the idea that SPAM has ever even acknowleded G's overtures much less accepted any?
I'd never kick the old man when he's already down. As for kissing him, I'd have to ask India's permission first.
I left your comment as posted in order to show the drought of thought present in many Nepalis who follow the latest tide of emotion and call it "democracy," but really, I'm tired of potty training some of you.
-=blogdai
Gatsby Comes to Nepal:
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/others/guestcolumn/june/guest_columns_jun06_15.php
Now that Maoists are actually getting into mainstream politics, our Blogdai is hybernating! Blogdai why are you so mum about the present unfoldings?
Snakbite.
Don't be fooled into thinking the Maoists are joining the mainstream just yet. Most of this posturing is just part of Prachanda's monsoon shuffle. Screen, distract, give false hope, and smile for the cameras.
We've seen this in the past. The "ceasefire" of last year corresponded with Dashain when Prachanda knew he would not have much field support available. Same with the monsoon.
blogdai predicts a mysterious rejection of all peace overtures by Prachanda once the rains cease.
Look for some fireworks from blogdai at the end of JUly. Until then, don't believe everything you read and hear coming out of Kathmandu and enjoy the rains....
-=blogdai
Blog Dai,
Do stay current- you are the voice reason of all the blogs. Pranchanda and company are buying time, thats it. They are not for Multiparty system, Hell No! they want a complete take-over, I have no doubt on that. It ain't over yet.
I have just found this website and am astonished to read such comments coming from people who claim to be wanting a free and democratic Nepal. The advances that have been made in Nepal are not the result of the ‘coercive’ actions of the CPN(M), they are the result of a sustained struggle by the people of Nepal under the leadership of the CPN(M), who have been successfully winning their support. The feudal elite have not relinquished some of their power due to the ‘hardline’ of the SPA but by the unrelenting struggle of the people of Nepal and the CPN(M).
Please read the following articles:
Proletarian issue 12 (June 2006)
“Victorious gains of the Nepalese revolution”
http://www.cpgb-ml.org/index.php?
secName=proletarian&subName=
display&art=191
Lalkar
“The triumphant march of the Nepalese revolution”
http://www.lalkar.org/
issues/contents/may2006/nepal.php
Blogdai,
Golden chance here. Moriarity has spoken against M of SPAM. Now let's pounce on this opportunity and kick each and everyone of SPAMmers.
Opportunity doesn't come twice.
True, but the problem is that Moriarty is just NOW getting aroung to realizing that the maoists are still violent. he is badly behind the curve and needs to be replaced. if he had come to his miraculous realization prior to the demonstrations, perhaps the yanks would not have backed the wrong horse. as it stands, his every word was taken as tacit support for the maoists. his ignorance of issues resulted in the yanks basically, supporting terrorism in nepal. try moriarty for treason and lets be rid of the bastard.
Sorry anon, you lose. simply reading someones commentary on the "great Gains" of the revolution does not make it so. God, is independent thought so difficult? You have made no gains. The same corrupt spoiled rich brats who plunged nepal into a maoist spiral are back in p0wer.
meet the new boss, same as the old boss..
-=blogdai
While my village gently weeps:
http://www.blog.com.np/united-we-blog/2006/06/27/while-my-village-gently-weeps-story-of-an-internally-displaced-citizen-of-nepal/#more-1040
The way I see it this- we can least afford to give any chances to these rag tags SPAs and evil called Maoist. Quiet evident now, Maoist have SPA by the balls and are squeezing it whenever they feel like it or need it- SPA can do nothing. Just heard that all the court cases and land allocation are being done by Maoist in far western (Nepalgunj) area with such a abandon that no SPA leaders or police can stop them. In fact they obey the orders of Maoist. Banke Congress Shavapati, Mr. Shrestha's, land was allocated right in his presence.
As for Moriarty- coming around the bend is awfully late but nonetheless a deterent. Give or take, I see a civil war by the time Dashain arrives. Just get prepared to quash SPA and Maoist's appetite for destruction.
Have you guys heard that there is internal faction within Maoist camp, headed by Badal. I take this to be their strategy, though. One part is seen other is hidden so when things do not go according to their plan then option will be to ignite Badal into action and scare the shit out of SPA, individuals, or for that matter UN.Tell you these guys will not stop until they get what they want- they lack rationality, humanity, and nationality. Simple case of us versus them.
Just read the author-less article on http://www.lalkar.org/issues/contents/may2006/nepal.php (suggested by someone here) which begins with the following premise:
...the Nepalese people have always believed that the massacre was in fact an imperialist-inspired plot to remove Birendra, whose reluctance to deploy the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) against the Maoist rebels was a source of great irritation to imperialists, and replace him with his notoriously hard-line brother.
What a load of bull? Where's one bit of evidence to support this theory? If the Maoists are going about winning the hearts and mind of people with such spineless arguments, their house of cards is going to crumble soon enough.
yes, it's the same old obfuscation. Don't look to Maoists ramblings for relevance. What these ideas should tell everyone is that a Maoists viewpoint on the world and YES, the peace process, is skewed.
They will be conveniently calm and relatively quiet during the monsoon.
Look for a reversal once the rains clear.
Blogdai is busy preparing fun stuff for all of us to do so look for a posting in mid July.
-=blogdai
Hope this is featured and circulated to all.
Nepal: King Gyanedra Greeted by an Estimated 100,000 Nepalis on Birthday
By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze
In Nepal, King Gyanedra's 60th birthday was celebrated Friday, 8th July.
After the recent political changes, the government did not celebrate the day as a holiday and no ministers went to the palace to greet the King, as was the custom.
A national holiday was cancelled. Even so, huge crowds marched to the royal palace indicating the government decision didn't affect public sentiment. People went to the palace spontaneously. This is a reflection of the people's faith in the King.
The crowd was estimated at 100,000 strong.
It was also reported that people assembled at Tundikhel, a large parade ground on the east side of kathmandu, to march to the palace, beat back a group of thugs armed with iron rods and hammers.
Hmm, where are the pundits and "will of the people" sloganeers now?
What this shows, and I don't dispute the numbers is that
1. There is a deep division of sentiment in Nepali society and that the protests of last april absolutely did NOT speak for everyone.
2. The SPAM alliance hasn't a clue on how to govern. They just missed their best shot at national unification by ignoring the King's birthday. Spoiled incompetant brats.
-=blogdai
I would think Blogdai was there at the rally to greet the King.
If Blogdai didn't see a single pundit or even a sloganeer, it seems all 100,000 people are anonymous -- unwillingness to put their name for their cause. Is it because they are unsure of themselves?
For me the hardest to digest has been India's role in all this- heretics such as S.D. Muni & Yechuri all make trip and consult their henchmen (SPA & Maoist)- we all seem to know about this but act nonchalant. Remote controlled nation is what Nepal becoming. I read Kantipur sometimes, I abhor it, and find news as if doctored by the South block. For me they represent India rather than a credible newspaper.
More or less, most agree that the way things are, it only means a civil war. Even if Maoist say on the backs of SPa take over, the resistance will crop up, which should anyways, to defeat the unilateralism and draconian laws and policy that the Maoist espouse, with definite curtailing of speech, freedom and individual rights. The endgame for them and to COMPOSA is to make a Nepal a model communist state. Now, the quandary is this- knowing India is hell bent on supporting Maoist and SPA. The logic can be only one thing- Nepal not a country but a puppet regime under and by South Block.
It is quiet naive to chit chat only about SPA and Maoist because at the end of the day- it is India who is running them both. I do not suspect this, I take this to be the truth. Now, it is not the question of India bashing or being anti- India, hell, no! But somewhere in retrospect- I see a well defined map by the India with total disregard of people of Nepal.
If there is a concerted effort by the powers-that-be then I see maoist making a hasty retreat with compulsion to join the main stream without the arms. The effort must be on making level playing field for everyone, not just big parties or renegade party but for all without the chance of affording parties (big, renegades) to hijack the better interest of the nation on behest of Foreign country.
Sansar
Nepal is caught up in web of lies and deceit all in the name of politics. Ever since the farce called andolan was ignited by the Maoist in behest of Indians who conveniently forced the hands of seven parties with Maoist- there has been systematic trend to wipe out the very notion of nationhood of Nepal. But the blame is squarely in the hands of Nepali, be it Maoist or the seven parties.
In order to secure power at any cost, SPA made deals which from the start was not in their interest nor it was fully understood. The trend of making ad hoc decision by few individuals in the name of the collective parties is quite evident, it shows that maturity level required to run a country or for that matter a party is still non existence among these players who aspire to lead but are mostly led from the south. The prevalent working attitude among political parties in Nepal is this- situation presents to them and then they make decisions to act but the drawback is situation overtakes them and whole process gets snagged in correcting the mistakes and amending issues which has already been agreed. This malady affects all of the political parties in Nepal. The key issue is, there is a dearth of planning, so rather than acting after a solid planning and strategies, it is just the opposite. So the weakness demonstrated by these actors has been the entry point for countries like India and renegades like Maoist. If looked through right perspective, it would not be wrong to say that due their lack of management skills, they have unintentionally afforded foreign and insurgent to gain the maximum benefit in terms of leverage in all front. Now the question arises, where should these players heap the blame for their inefficiency, inaptitude and downright immaturity? Who else but the King who reinstated the house of assembly, just look at the decrees they have made since the reinstatement, there is nothing except vilifying and degrading of an institution that gave them new lease on life. Their holy war against the king has been at the expense of the people and their welfare. No decree(s) other than cosmetic has been put forth. The citizens have not benefited to say the least rather are being made mute spectator, imprisoned without a say or part in the process or in the assembly. In fact people are being made sacrificial goat all in the name of political expediency.
In other hand, Maoist is scrambling to get credibility from the people by promising autonomous regions and highlighting supposed discriminations based on caste and ethnicity. A very dangerous game which once inflamed will lead this nation to road to ruin for many generations to come but nonetheless a useful political tool. In the same line, Maoist seem eager to shore up their negative image with the international community but the stumbling has been USA, rightly so, who still tags Maoist as being a terrorist. But the main crux for the Maoist has been their weapon- if they dispose their arms then they will be powerless and will instantly feel the wrath of the people, and if they keep their arms then they will be outcasts, rightly again, in the eyes of the people and international community. Unless CPI of India comes to their defense, CPI (Yechuri), as they have done in the past- it’s a rock and hard place for them. But in the end, union of SPA and Maoist will manifest itself as setup of convenience envisioned by India, to the benefit of India with SPA and Maoist as a tool to achieve the end (envision as you like).
The deceit in purpose and lies in words of politics of Nepal has made people numb- the sense of fatalistic attitude is growing in the general mass which really does not speak well of the country. In all aspect, from economy to social, there is a sense of loss of direction and purpose. A country like Nepal can ill afford such tendencies. As other nations post double digits economic growth, inflation is picking up in Nepal which will hit the lower rung of people first. As nation gets crippled on the basis of political bartering, foreigner's overbearing actions and loss of nationalism, there might come a time where this nation as a functioning state will cease to exist and then what?
Sansar
It is perhaps the biggest open secret of this whole mess.
Nicely argued, Sansar.
-=blogdai
I sing without a song
Scream without a voice
but people stare in disbelief
the noise without reason
reverbrates across the nation
I kill without remorse
I spit in name of your religion
I get noticed
For I am a true devil in diguise
The fearful one- with gel wombed hair
I believe me to be true, rest just a driftwood in the sea
I save souls from themselves
I set in motion dream of utopia
Gather you lost souls- I have answer for you
My way or no way
For i am a gel wombed head
Mother weeps
the state of disarray
is too much to bear
She sees sons and daughters
on a road to nowhere
Tear rolls on
it hits the ground caught on crossfire
There's too much misplaced angst
seething in rage of confusion
lost in mayhem of litany of vitriolic
on paths of destruction and division
Mother weeps
Eyes swollen in disgrace
But the wave of hate devours
Sanity of a nation
Mother weeps
As red flood of rage
continue unabated
the seven dwarfs
hallucinate of glory at hand
ever so distant yet so near
aimless in purpose,futile in action
cross they bear will crush in end
Sansar
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