Monday, March 26, 2007

I Say it Again: Maoists Must Go!

Ready for peace? Not a chance.

We just saw the Maoist's attempt at a mini-coup yesterday when they held up parliamentary debate and made threats from the podium demanding action. Can we now finally cease the debate about persuading Maoists to give up violence and join the mainstream? They just won't do it. Witness the good article below. It frames the ideological problem with Maoism nicely.

Reprinted from Kantipur online, of all places. A good realistic take on the debate (or failure of) with Maoism. -=BD
*
Time For Some Soul-Searching
*
By Akhilesh Tripathi
*
At a recent casual debate between a few students affiliated with ANNISU-R, the student wing of the CPN-Maoist, and students affiliated with the Nepali Congress at Patan Campus, the pro-Maoist students were defending Sunday’s beating of a hotelier by Maoist cadres. “He is against workers’ rights and is a royalist. A jali-phataha like him deserved it. There is no effect of sweet-talking to these people, you know. They need special treatment,” passionately asserted a youth in his early twenties who was apparently leading the Maoist students in the debate.
His opponents, as expected, disagreed with him. “See friend, this is not the first incident of its kind from your party which is going to join the government soon. You should mend your ways, at least now. You don’t have the right to coerce, intimidate, extort or thrash anyone. What if everybody starts beating everybody they don’t like?”
*
The obstinate ANNISU-R activist again defended. “It is because of this very thinking of yours and your leaders that nothing has changed in this country for all these years. You guys never did anything to discourage those who have been blocking our society’s and our country’s progress. And again, we are not going around beating just about anybody. You know that. But why are you acting as if you don’t know. See, it’s easier to wake up those who are really sleeping, but much difficult to those who are pretending to be sleeping,” he said in an ever-rising voice, agitatedly pointing his index finger at his opponent.
*
“Please don’t shout. Your arguments don’t convince me. Instead, they smack of militaristic thinking. You have no right to go around kidnapping and beating people, whoever they are. Why don’t you realize this simple thing?”
*
“What did you just say? Militarist thinking? What is militarist thinking? What is a military or an army? What do you know about all this? You know nothing. Why are you talking about something you don’t know? Don’t you know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?” said the unbending pro-Maoist student activist, as if ready to pounce on his opponent any moment.
Then somebody from the pro-NC students said that they were wasting their time over a debate which was going nowhere. “Let’s go to class guys, there is no point in wasting any more time. Will talk later,” they said and were soon gone.
*
The above little dialogue shows the kind of attitude the Maoist cadres carry on the streets. It goes a long way to show their bullish nature. The Maoists still haven’t learnt to admit mistakes. They defend anything and everything against them as if they can never be wrong. “Say yes, or else…”
*
From the premises of Patan Campus to the eight-party meeting rooms, to the rest of the country, it’s the same situation. The same attitude- I am above and beyond criticism! When the business community announced an indefinite strike (which was withdrawn on the third day) in protest of the “kidnapping and torture” of the above-mentioned hotelier by the Maoists “for refusing to cough up 10 million rupees in donation”, the pro-Maoist trade union took out protest rallies in the capital- in protest of the business community’s protests! The Maoist-affiliated hotel and restaurant workers’ union ordered workers to leave hotels in advance “as the hotel industry, too, was contemplating halting services for some time in support of the business community’s strike.”
*
When the glaring disparity in the registered number of Maoist arms and combatants is questioned, Prachanda can blame a fire destroying them or a river sweeping them away. And if you question these unique reasons, then you are either “conspiring” against the Constituent Assembly elections by “blowing out of proportion something very trivial and unimportant,” or you are “against a democratic republic.” Or even you are a “royalist.”
*
When you raise the issue of the Maoists not returning the belongings of those forced out of their homes and villages during the last 10-11 years even after expressing commitment for the same in the historic peace agreement, you are again “raising a non-issue.” Similarly, when lawmakers of other parties draw government attention towards Maoist MPs and their bodyguards entering Parliament with arms, a Maoist MP growls, patting his waist, “Here I have a gun. Do what you can!” A brazen display of the same attitude.
*
This belligerent attitude was also put on show last week when dozens of Maoist activists, including cadres of the seven parties, attacked a gathering of RPP-Nepal, a pro-royalist party, in Jhapa. The monarchists were severely beaten up and their faces were blackened. RPP-Nepal Chairman Rabindra Nath Sharma was forcibly draped with a string of shoes around his neck. Here if you say the monarchists, too, have the right to put forward their voice in a peaceful way, you risk being labeled a royalist. A free and fair atmosphere (one catchword being oft repeated) in which to conduct any business means just that, free to be allowed to express different opinions and to be fairly treated in regard. This is what is Loktantra.
*
If one set of rules is allowed for just one set, then you can just throw democratic principles out the window. Because it will smack of discrimination.
*
With the Maoists now on the threshold of joining the interim government and their top brass bargaining hard for maximum ministerial berths inside the eight-party meeting rooms, it’s time for some soul-searching. Outside these decision-making corridors, their cadres must stop their excesses. Those who are selling the dream of transforming the country within a few years should first transform themselves, rejecting what is in effect bigotry and accepting and practicing the culture of tolerance and co-existence.
*
Who knows better than the Maoists themselves about the consequences of not being listened to. After all, they themselves had started their People’s War when their 41-point demand was turned down by the then government in 1996.
Posted on: 2007-03-21 12:58:29

46 Comments:

At 5:05 AM, March 29, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A really good article and reflects the concerns of the general people. But i dont think even girija can stop the big M from joing the government.

 
At 1:32 PM, March 29, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know its a radical idea but i want to give Nepal to its people.

I want to stop the West in all its many forms from fucking up our nation with ill informed decisions on the back of a cigarette box.

I want to wipe the slate clean with all our politicians. Arrest them and bring them to justice for any crimes that they have committed. I want to make it illegal for any one from SPAM, MPRF to stand for election.

I want to bring back the king as a figurehead with an interim government of civil society members, academics, community leaders who have an idea about Nepal's problems.

Most of all, I want to see leaders who work towards the betterment of Nepal and not just the betterment of their ego.

Perhaps i need to stop drinking Everest and go to sleep.

Night.

2:15am, Nepal

 
At 6:46 AM, March 30, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maoists must go where, Blogdai?
Please be more specific. I think that's its not a realistic expectation to think the Maoists are just going to vanish.
They are going to be included in the interm govt. which will give them all the legitimacy.
Am I happy about it? No. But what can we really do? Support the NDA maybe?

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 7:28 AM, March 30, 2007, Blogger blogdai said...

maoists must go means their ruthless organization must go, you twit. Their ideological unilateralisms must go.

Join the government, be included in the government.. what a complete and utter waste of time and Prachanda knows it. "Legitmacy?" This government is worthless. To think that everything will be ok now that the maoists are now "mainstream" is a simpleton't hope.

Prachanda wants to make a government of his own. He's dividing and conquering from the inside of the greedy coward's den. Evidence? Koirala just gave him the asst. prime ministership.

The sooner you stop splitting syntax hairs, clever boy, the sooner you and all the other wallowing do-nothings can think of real, concrete steps to move forward.

-=blogdai

 
At 12:50 PM, March 30, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blogtard:
I never said everything was going to be okay because the Maoists are going to become more mainstream.
We all know their their ideological unilateralisms must go. The problem is that they have no reason to compromise because the SPA is too weak and worthless. And when Girija passes to the next world, it's only going to get worse.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 1:03 PM, March 30, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fuck yeah!

All of you overtly sensitive Nepalis need to develop some thick 'gaida-ko-chhaala'. Uff ma!

Move on, Maoists have the communications and information portfolio. If you juvies keep fighting then they'll have no recourse but to ban you from deterioting our culture and corrupting our youths.

Enough of Socratizing; get back to nation building.

-ever and ever free

 
At 2:47 PM, March 30, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Calm down Bhudai.

I have nothing against you. My words are to provoke you and nothing more. I hope you can see the results for yourself. Perhaps if you were not easily provoked, we could engage in debate?

Please accept my apologies for being rude and lets leave it like that.

 
At 3:06 PM, March 30, 2007, Blogger blogdai said...

Sometimes, we degenerate into this primary school sniping-fest. Say what you will, but we at blogdai feel our postings should stand as public record, so your little tug of war over who runs the playground sandbox has been summarily deleted.

everyone, change your diapers and move forward. Only comments of substance that are impassionately composed and considered will stand the journey towards archival immortality on blogdai.

-=blogverbose

 
At 5:28 PM, March 30, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

No Harm No Foul.

Let's carry on - with engaging debates of course.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 9:05 AM, March 31, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anon 10:43 form previous post.

I responded here mainly because this post is an extention of blogdai’s ‘Maoists must go’ campaign; also because the responses were kinda getting stale towards the latter end.

I really don’t care about representation in some postmodernist sense. For me the argument is strictly economic, and that’s what gives Maoists its weight. That’s right, Marxism as a THEORY is still relevant in our case. And here’s why…

You say:

>>The problem as you have rightly said is 5 % controling 95 %- specially tell where this does not happen? China, say India or even US- its the same case or for that matter even in Cuba and Maoist.

True that! But if you bother to look at the wealth that is at disposal in Nepal – compared to say India or China, you’ll find that elsewhere rest of the populations still manage to ‘get by’ daily simply because their GDP-pot (in absolute dollars) is bigger than that of Nepal.

Think of it this way: in a household that does not have enough wealth to begin with, a single member hogging on 90% of its income is going to make bigger dent to overall house-economy – adversely affecting the remaining members than some other household where income generated is higher, even though there is unequal distribution of wealth across the population in both households.

Further, 31% of Nepali populations live below poverty line, and such ‘poverty line’ is NOT a universally set standard/metric, although we would like to think that it is. When you have 1/3 of population struggling just to survive, it REALLY begs to question if justification we provide simply on the ground that it is somewhat a universal phenomenon, to me, sounds like a REALLY lazy argument – if that.

Essentially, Maoists rise to prominence from gun-yielding guerillas to policymaking cabinet ministers is based on economic and many such basic realities of Nepal, and to ignore them and continually focus on semantics of buzz-words inapplicable to Maoists in current situation is nothing more than intellectual gymnastics which most Nepali expats enjoy to perform as their favorite pastime these days.

-freedom from chains of economic slavery

 
At 3:24 AM, April 01, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you start talking on absolute and relative terms in regards to distribution of wealth and GNP- then Nepal stands quiet ahead even in comparison to India but to base Maoist insurgency and mayhem specifically in economic terms- it is frivolous and an outright lie.

Does giving from rich to poor rectify disparities, does allocating land on the basis of political agenda rather than productivity benefit nation as a whole, and does inflaming sectarian, economical and ethnic divide bode well for country as a whole in long run? I don't think so. Its a political gimmicks that has failed in test of time.

I see no justification for Maoist's armed struggle, be it economic or political. Only thing they have done is open Pandora's box. Now, I also have right to bear arms to get my end by any means. When you act without analyzing the consequences- the result is vicious cycle.

 
At 7:59 AM, April 01, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I see no justification for Maoist's armed struggle, be it economic or political."

Now that's an outright lie. Nepal was a pressure cooker waiting to explode. I don't think what the Maoists have done deservs to be condoned by any means. I don't even think they are sincere about their ideology. However, it shouldn't be a suprise that a Maoist movement would take birth in Nepal.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 11:32 PM, April 01, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Although a struggle was inevitable in Nepal, I do not think that the birth of the Maoists was a natural one but instead much more like a test tube one.

 
At 11:38 PM, April 01, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hence, the maoist armed struggle is not justified. These maoists stay silent when indian encroaches on Nepali Land. These are not the true representatives of Nepali people.

 
At 12:27 AM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right on B- Bhudai as always is good at skimming the surface.

As people rejoice with the interim government and inclusion of Maoist-they desperately ignore the fact that Maoist are their not to be a coalition partner but to be a commandant.

When SPA fails to understand the basic premise of Maoist, this so-called- interim government is of short respite. Just you wait.

Yes, I want peace, prosperity, and freedom but not at a cost of a nationhood. The false notion of reforming a delinquent and wayward Maoist by inclusion and power sharing will come back and haunt like a never ending nightmare. And for SPA it will be a drowning pool.

 
At 7:38 AM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If not a Maoist revolution some revolution was inivitable in Nepal. If you wish to dig deeper please correct me and tell me otherwise. I don't support any of their actions but I can understand why they arose in the first place.

Anyway I agree that including them in the govt. isn't going to necessarily change their ways. I guess we can only wait and see.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 11:02 AM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Pundit,

Did you see Mr. Shrestha's, defector from the maoist's part, interview on Kantipur television on fire side today? You should see it and infact everyone should see it. I don't know when the reruns are though. Very intersting interview eventhough i am not sure how much of it can be termed as fact.

 
At 12:05 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did i miss something?

What revolution are you talking about?

Perhaps it is an oversight on my part but I have seen nothing extraordinary about events in Nepal.

The same old story from the same old salesman about "improving blah and making blah happen so that blah can become a blah country."

Inevitable, it is not.

Ian

 
At 3:18 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ian:
Perhaps you misunderstood what I was saying.
Given the way Nepali society was structured it was inevatible that something was going to happen. I don't think the Maoists have done anything right but it doesn't suprise me that a communist movement would gain a foothold in Nepal. It should suprise anyone.
It's another story that the Maoists' policies have been terrible. But there are alot of people who sympathize with their ideology.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 3:19 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

shouldn't be suprised i mean

 
At 6:48 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Pundit,

a communist revolution is brewing in India as well, or in phillipines, or in Indonesia or srilanka or lets just say all over south asian countries where a lot of people are dying of hunger while leaders drive around in their mercedez benz. But it was the utter incompentence and the bad intentons of the SPA leaders who not only encouraged the maoists to use violence but absolutely closed their eyes when they were killing innocent nepali people. The saddest this is their eyes are still closed.

Mr. pundit, according to the maoists own admissions, they only had an army of 10000 soldiers or so which they increased illegitimately after the announcement of the latest cease fire. I don't know if you call this a popular movement. Had india decided to take any steps against these monkeys, this revolution would have been abolished in its infancy. What is now bound to happen is all the poor people of nepal will get out on the street with their house hold weapons and attack the parliament house and the narayanhiti palace and tear open their chest and eat their hearts (that is how hungry they are) and i am hoping and praying for that day.

 
At 7:19 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

“…but to base Maoist insurgency and mayhem specifically in economic terms- it is frivolous and an outright lie.”

Let me stick to the fundamental: Nepal is amongst the poorest – heck probably the second or third poorest country in the world. ANY form of insurgency/rebellion that arises out of such depravation is justification enough and proof sufficient of the economic struggle in truest sense.

“…Does giving from rich to poor rectify disparities, …I don't think so. Its a political gimmicks that has failed in test of time.”

To an extent, yes! In a country where over ¾ of the population is engaged in agriculture,
redistribution of wealth closes economic gap; providing farmers with access to lands increases overall productivity.

Violence manifests in different forms. Economic and social depravation is a form of violence; justifying disparities as acceptable norm in modern context is a form of violence. Maoism in Nepal is nothing but natural reaction borne out of such crystallized socio-economic violence.

“I see no justification for Maoist's armed struggle, be it economic or political….When you act without analyzing the consequences- the result is vicious cycle”

Again, ‘ANY form of insurgency/rebellion that arises out of such depravation is justification enough and proof sufficient of the economic struggle in truest sense.’

On the contrary, arms have served its purpose; it can no longer sustain them. The game is at whole different level now, and sooner the Nepali intellectuals realize this the better off we all are future.

 
At 11:06 PM, April 02, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 7:19 anon. You rebut with general premise. I fail to understand the basis that "by giving access to land, productivity will increase." My, my if I had a Mercedes Benz, all I could do was park it in front & just look at it. I know- I sure cannot afford to run it. Access is not everything and surely does not increase productivity. You need investments in form of fertilizer, water,tractors to increase productivity of land, lets not even talk about market factors and competitive advantages. The bottom-line is- you need to make proper investments in order to reap the benefit not armed mayhem to destroy, burn and then justify.

By the way, I still stick to Maoist insurgency as being "unjustified." You have made the statement ‘ANY form of insurgency/rebellion that arises out of such depravation is justification enough and proof sufficient of the economic struggle in truest sense.

I guess in your eyes rebellion/insurgency because of perceived or actual depravation in any form, be it social, economical or even just assumed of such is alright. Then I suppose Hitler, Stalin, Mao were right in slaughtering of millions and millions of people- you must know that they perceived social, economical, and political deprivation and discrimination. Your assumption is like giving open license to anyone, group or an individual to act insurgent,rebel or even be serial/mass murderer just because they feel or perceive deprivation and injustice. I see no logic and feel disquiet by your justifications

 
At 12:49 AM, April 03, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

SPA gets too much importance. It must be gotten rid off. This person called Bhudai is getting too much unworthy attention. He must be gotten rid off too.

 
At 12:50 AM, April 03, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Use your time in killing SPAM cadres rather than indulging in petty talks with them. Terrorists understand the language of gun.

 
At 6:29 AM, April 03, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The warlords are doing well in the Human Rights front. A comparison is a must in between how many terrorists did King Gyanendra managed to kill and how many civilians are being killed by SPAM warlords. Don’t miss on these stories because Indians don’t want to spread it, the EU and UN don’t want to hear it and the sold old media doesn’t want to tell it.

NHRC records 640 cases of human rights abuses in four months

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recorded 640 cases of human rights violations including murder, abduction and disappearance within a period of four months - from October 31, 2006 to February 5 this year.

A NHRC report publicised today says that out of the total 640 recorded cases, 123 people were killed – 86 by the security forces, 30 by the Maoists and 7 people by others including the two factions of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Murcha (JTMM). Most of the murder cases occurred in Terai districts like Bara, Sarlahi, Morang, Sunsari and Dhanusha.

Similarly, 65 people were abducted by the Maoists during the four months period while the security forces were responsible for disappearance of 65 people. 20 people were abducted, or involuntarily disappeared, by other groups.

According to the NHRC report, 66 people underwent torture - 32 by security persons, 27 by Maoists and six by others. Likewise, 57 people were displaced due to Maoist threats. The Maoists seized properties of 41 people during this period.

Other cases of human rights violation include threats, mistreatment and exploitation of children and others.

Speaking at the programme organised to publicise the report, NHRC secretary Dhruba Nepal said human rights violations continued despite the signing of comprehensive peace accord.

Nepal said both the government and the Maoists must work seriously to end the culture of impunity. He also demanded that the government appoint senior officials at the NHRC as early as possible. nepalnews.com mk Apr 02 07

 
At 12:34 PM, April 03, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really don’t have time to argue on semantics, but I’ll make the following points quickly.

You not only fail to understand Nepali demography – which is why you keep coming back with the most unrelated and inapplicable analogy, but totally overlook the basic and most fundamental element in development of ANY nation.

What in god’s name do you intend to do with over 76% of Nepali populations that is involved in agriculture if there is no land and no agricultural resources to begin with? Of course access to land is EVERYTHING when it comes to a country with major farming community that do not even have access to their own lands.

Unlike your luxurious toy Mercedes, agricultural lands are indispensable tools of development in any society.

Proper investment? Here’s an idea: invest in those in-house farmers by giving them access to tools of their trade in the first place; then talk about higher rate of production. Forget about competitive advantage. Nepal has neither absolute nor competitive advantage over any of its neighboring countries. Empowering Nepali farming community is to empower the weakest sections of our society which in turn uplifts the whole country.

Who cares whether you find justification for Maoists movement or not. The point is Maoists grabbed the development agenda of the country even while remaining outside of the government. And that has made all the difference.

“I guess in your eyes rebellion/insurgency because of perceived or actual depravation in any form, be it social, economical ... you must know that they perceived social, economical, and political deprivation and discrimination.”

What a hyperbole! By that logic, aren’t you saying “social, economical, and political deprivation and discrimination” are all constructs and that they really don’t exist in society? Perhaps when you are enamored by a parked Mercedes all the time, one is deprived of such realities.

-free

 
At 5:18 PM, April 03, 2007, Blogger blogdai said...

Ah, dear free--

I see you are feeling the same frustration that blogdai has been feeling daily for the past few years: You've just had a run-in with and episode of "expatriot Nepali English practice." Or, "Watch me regurgitate a sound-bite I've just heard regardless of its relevance."

There are times I wish we could just plain go to the villagers and let them speak with their hearts instead of this pseudo-intellectual pose and posture game we get here.

But, on to semantics. The Maoist movement "justified?" I would give it a hearty NO. Justified implies looking backward at an entire process to see if "justice" was served, in essence. Nothing justifies a campaign of murder and torture like we've seen from Prachanda.

"Inevitable?" Perhaps given the factors involved. But nothing is inevitable. The pliant and inactive Nepalis population could have just as easily turned out to be more activist and routed the Maoists at their inception.

No, blogdai thinks words like, "enabled," "permissable" and all other words like these that describe Nepal's "maybe if we ignore it, it will go away" attitude towards Maoists bests describes the rise of such a brutal force. Perhaps we can add "probable" to the description as well since Nepal was ripe with inept, buffoonish politicians and a geography that can so easily hide a growing insurgency.

blogdai-=

 
At 12:40 AM, April 04, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Free- dude. you go off the wall. You talk about empowering as if just giving access- all is done. Yes, brother I come from a farming community in far west. To tell you the truth- almost half of youngsters are working in India rather than tilling the land- you know the reason- there is no future in farming anymore- have a global perspective rather than a revisionist attitude.

Yes, I agree with Blogdai assumption that is-" No, blogdai thinks words like, "enabled," "permissible" and all other words like these that describe Nepal's "maybe if we ignore it, it will go away" attitude towards Maoists bests describes the rise of such a brutal force.

I totally disagree with the fact that being discriminated or faced with any kind of deprivation is an open license to kill, torture, maim and bleed a nation, all in the name of righteousness or outdated ideology, this is Dead wrong. I sure hope you are not championing this. You picked on my Mercedes Benz analogy- it was intentional but I am sure you got the point.

But do not hold out to much hope on Maoist or SPAM just yet- we got a long way to go.

Lets move on to economy of this nation next time- you seem adamant in empowering but fail to address HOW to EMPOWER- Easy said then done and we have seen this since last 15 years.

 
At 8:51 PM, April 04, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I totally disagree with the fact that being discriminated or faced with any kind of deprivation is an open license to kill, torture, maim and bleed a nation, all in the name of righteousness or outdated ideology"

Right. It's not an open license to kill and cause mayhem. But do you at least conceed that from an ideological standpoint the Maoist movement seems justified in Nepal?
Take a moment to step outside a Kathmandu-centric, elitest prespective before you answer that question.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 12:14 AM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bhudai- I have walked the walk and talked the talk- that is Nepal. It does not matter if you are city slick or Village hick- the bottom line is Maoist insurgency is NOT justified or ever will be. Through the barrel of gun or end justifies the means is nothing but a decoy to perpetrate an agenda held by few radicals by terrorizing the general public. This is the case of maoist. And to condone it will be a big mistake. The capitulation by the government or the system will only reinvigorate fringe outfits whose interest lie in their own and self benefit, not in collective good of the people- e.g., water mafia, inspired corruptors, drug and gun runners, power grabber by any means (even licking neighbors ass) and supposed communist with mansion of a house and kids on foreign school.

To re-mend Nepal none of the actors (SPAM) will succeed-what we need is benevolent dictator. First- enforce discipline in all sector and society 2. Empower by giving responsibilities not rights 3. facilitate commerce with minimum of taxes and red tape 4. implement severe penalty for any willful negligence or conduct 5. decentralize governance- local community empowerment scheme. 6. Invest in education but higher percentage on vocational trainings (global market). 7. Seek commitment from all parties to act as one in the interest of the nation (although wishful thinking but can be done). Make fourth estate, responsible and independent (libel suit, defamatory action and fees applicable). Now, I am just rambling this and probably gonna get hits from likes of hyper intellectuals but its all alright. I care about Nepal.

If any grievances or slight or even perceived marginalization (Khumbwan, Limbuwan, Terai etc) is the basis for armed revolt then in days to come war lords will be the bona-fide ruler- like Afghanistan before Taliban and hence forth. Who can stop sectarian and ethnic cleansing, deadly political in-fighting and more and more polarization on the lines of haves and have nots, caste, ethnicity, political and religious affiliations. But lets not give undue attention to Maoist so-called-victory. If coercion, number of killed, and threats are the benchmark for entering into Assembly then second one is lining up right now to do the same. I do not blame them. SPA are nothing but a top heavy outfit who will fall easily from within and this is what Maoist expect after Girja comes back from Delhi (master's courtyard). So in the end- all we folks, an ardent democrats, will again give benefit of doubt to mirage called SPAM.

You do not need to be rural to know the right from wrong. Wrong is wrong. When country is held hostage and silenced by the threats- what else can you do except act sheep. This is the on-going trend now. Even "useful idiots" are justifying and defending Maoist and their brutal acts. Its a shame, really.

 
At 1:19 AM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A Nation of April Fools
By Dr Chandrakala

I had stopped writing disgusted at the gullibility of the so called articulate Nepalese class, the double standards as demonstrated by the lack of great concern at the death of more people in one day (including women) in Gaur than during the whole of the so called Jan Andolan and the approach of the international media who had all converged into Nepal as vultures and carrion eaters circling over a dying animal at that time, and now where are they.

Reminds me of our great playwright Balkrishna Sama when he writes, " Why do you want to light my pyre with the fire in my mouth, look, son! I am not dead yet.

However, many readers sent e-mails and through different mechanisms reminded me that I had stopped writing. So I thought, even if a small section of the Nepalese both home and abroad are interested in reading about my frustrations, I would comply. Again Balkrishna Sama " If I die and with one pint of my blood spilled it should result in a small patch of green in my motherland I would be content.

Anyway, I restart. I believe we are a nation of April Fools. Till March 31st, there was breakdown of talks among the eight parties. DPM Amik Sherchan was fuming that he wasn't consulted. But more important, the fight for seniority as to who would be No. 2 behind the ailing PM became a very serious issue and UML had a Central Committee meeting and firmly declared that if Sahana Pradhan was denied the second position in the hierarchy, UML would not be part of the interim government. Come April Fools' Day, everything is okay.

On the same day PM goes to attend SAARC Summit to pass a resolution against terrorism as the main agenda, with terrorists in his Cabinet. These terrorists were declared such by many countries including India with Red Corner notices by Interpol. What a joke?

On the same day the Cabinet decides that the Constitution Assembly elections would be held on Ashad 6th (June 20th) when it is clearly stated in the Interim Constitution that Constituent Assembly polls would be held within the month of Jestha (Mar 15 - June 14), (as pointed out by Narayan Man Bijukchchhe, the Chairman of the Nepal Peasants and Workers Party). Anyway, what miracle is the government going to achieve in 6 days more of Ashad which they haven't been able to achieve by the end of Jestha which was declared 10 months back.

Moreover, the National Election Commission hasn't been told far less consulted in this decision. And do the people know what is involved in Constituent Assembly polls? At least I am not clear, how it works out. Are they going to pull rabbits out of their hat? Anyway, what does it mean to say anyhow or somehow it has to be done. Why, for what purpose, if the exercise is not clearly comprehended by those who have to express their choices through that effort?

On April 2nd, the Home Minister says nobody would be allowed to walk with weapons anymore as if till that day it was acceptable legally and nobody would be allowed personal bodyguards including the Maoist leaders. Those who have been practicing the above are his colleagues in the Cabinet and their leaders and co-workers. But the Home Minister is now firm and he is an honourable man. But let's wait and see. Of all the districts, Kalikot is the scene of clashes between Maoists disturbing the district meetings and subsequent curfew on April 2nd. I wonder whether that is a good portent.

Sadly, the political parties haven't understood that through the Jana Andolan the people wanted democracy to be stronger not the political parties or their leaders (and their family members too.)

 
At 5:55 AM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very very good article above.

 
At 5:56 AM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

TODAY'S PROPAGANDA BY SPAM WARLORDS:

GIRIJA (YES THE SAME CRIMINAL WHO IS IN POWER WITH SHEER VIOLENCE. ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT PERSON ON THE PLANET. THE BIRTH GIVER OF TERRORISM IN NEPAL. YES YES THE SAME BASTARD WHO IS TRYING TO SELL OFF NEPAL TO INDIA FOR HIS SHEER GREED FOR POWER AND MONEY.)

OKAY ENOUGH OF MAKUNE'S INTRODUCTION. LET'S GET INTO TODAY'S PROPAGANDA:

Girija barks in Delhi that the SPAM warlords will decide before CA elections regarding the future of Monarchy. He says this to please his Masters in India. He knows that the more he licks the feet of his Masters in Delhi, the better his chances of staying in power in Nepal. The bastard knows that the moment he stops licking the feet, he would be killed not only by Nepalis and Maoists but also by Indians for not supporting them. So this was his propaganda to bark in Delhi. Moreover he was in India...so he wanted to show the Indians how much he is supporting their case for Nepal being India's puppet. And then there were other SAARC heads whom he wanted to show that the King has been sidelined. What did India get in return from Girija's talks today? Well well...India wanted to show to the King that he has been made powerless now and India tried to show the King that he is being punished for bringing China and Japan into SAARC last year. You see...I am very good at deciphering the propaganda of the warlords.

Tell us bastard, tell us who are you all decide on the Monarchy. You bastards came to power with terrorism and foreign inteference without any mandate whatsoever of Nepalis. We Nepalis have brought the Kingdom and now you are trying to take it all away from us and giving it on a silver platter to India to enslave us. BASTARDS LISTEN, you can carry on your propaganda. You don't even have a mandate to have CA elections. Bloody rascals, who are you to decide what happens in Nepal? The moment India stops funding your terrorism you will die the death of an anti-social grasshopper without food. Nepalis will get together to keep you alive and give you the nemesis that you might not have dreamt to get when you reach hell after your death.

 
At 6:53 PM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anon, here’s a watered-down version of otherwise normally lengthy post:

>>Free- dude. you go off the wall.

What wall?

>>You talk about empowering as if just giving access- all is done.

You ASSUME too much. No one is saying empowering weaker sections of our society is the end in itself. But by god it is a start.

>>To tell you the truth- almost half of youngsters are working in India rather than tilling the land- you know the reason- there is no future in farming anymore- have a global perspective rather than a revisionist attitude.

The reason they are going elsewhere is exactly because of the UNJUST nature of landlord-farmer relationship in Nepal, primarily called feudalism. If you have to give 95% of what you worked for back to the landlord, anyone is going to realize sooner or later that he/she’s been duped!

>>Yes, I agree with Blogdai assumption that is-" No, blogdai thinks words like, "enabled," "permissible" and all other words like these that describe Nepal's "maybe if we ignore it, it will go away" attitude towards Maoists bests describes the rise of such a brutal force.

Sorry, third party reference; cannot comment on it.

>>But do not hold out to much hope on Maoist or SPAM just yet- we got a long way to go.

Like I said, it is a start.

>>Lets move on to economy of this nation next time- you seem adamant in empowering but fail to address HOW to EMPOWER- Easy said then done and we have seen this since last 15 years.

If you remember, I started with an economic premise; none political. Empowering weaker populations in economic terms is where we could make a difference. Monarchy, Maoist, Democrats or ‘benevolent dictator’, none of them is my concern. I can equally see logic in Mahendra's decentralized model of development with Maoists proposal for redistribution of lands/agrarian reform.

On the contrary, I believe I have repeatedly addressed the process of empowering, mainly by giving farmers and farming community access to lands.

-(care)free

 
At 10:42 PM, April 05, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Free- you sound like a broken record or have finally given up on being rational (the wall signifies rationality)

* You ASSUME too much. No one is saying empowering weaker sections of our society is the end in itself. But by god it is a start.

Start as you say is nothing but a mirage of empowerment. You do not just empower, the basic thing is HOW- communistic? Is the piece meal sufficient enough. The only thing that is being done is to inflate by bull shits of a talks and deflation by inaction. You are missing link somewhere.

*The reason they are going elsewhere is exactly because of the UNJUST nature of landlord-farmer relationship in Nepal, primarily called feudalism. If you have to give 95% of what you worked for back to the landlord, anyone is going to realize sooner or later that he/she’s been duped!

Man, I bet you never been to farming community to talk about Feudal system. Do you know about Batia system or how they allocate crops after the harvest-its on 3/2 ration. 3 going to farmers and 2 owner. But that is not the reason for exodus of youngsters- its something else- its called capitalism lure. Where they get more and good life, they migrate. By the way do you know what is the productivity of farming land in Nepal and consequences of India's bumper crop effect in Nepal? Learn- do not act as if you've seen the light by the help of Maoist call for land allocation-its no brainer.

The bottom-line is I do not believe in ranting of land distributions, nationalization ( control) of property, industries and businesses. The effort should be in liberalizing industries with minimum of controls and red tapeism. I believe in commercialization, full fledge. You let people do their things unhindered but with proper regulations and checks and balances-not be overbearing where there is no incentives to do anything as it is happening now (state of economy of Nepal is dead unless we plan to live out on hand-outs and declare donations and grants as an achievement). I believe in Free market and I firmly believe if you create a situation where "even a weaker section" can practice his trade or vocation- they will rise by themselves without the help of communist ideology, socialism or even capitalism or nefarious NGOs( I abhor it- they create dependency). Like they say- Its economic, stupid." No wonder our underemployed workforce is now a political pawns rather than a productive member of a society.

 
At 1:15 AM, April 06, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let's see the difference between the propaganda spread by the SPAM warlords in Nepal against the King and then how propaganda is dealt with in Thailand. Corrupt warlords and their propaganda and terrorism should have been dealth with more severely in Nepal. In Thailand terrorism doesn't even exist to the extent of Nepal and any attempt by Criminal politicians is crushed before it is raised. Way to go. RNA can learn a few lessons for the Royal Thai Army.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YouTube clip out, but Thai ban continues



By AMBIKA AHUJA, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 5, 9:53 AM ET

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Thai government retained a ban on YouTube on Thursday despite the removal from the video-sharing site of a short clip deemed insulting to the country's beloved monarch.

The site still featured at least one still frame from the contentious 44-second video, said Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the minister of information and technology.

"That's not enough. We want the picture removed, too, before we unblock it," said Sitthichai, adding that Thai authorities have contacted YouTube to request the removal of all traces of the video.

Thai authorities blocked YouTube on Wednesday after YouTube turned down his request to remove the clip, which showed graffitti-like elements crudely painted over a photograph slideshow of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

One part of that video juxtaposed pictures of feet over the king's image — a major taboo in a culture where feet are considered extremely dirty and offensive. The soundtrack was the Thai national anthem.

A notice posted on the page where the video once sat said the item had "been removed by the user."

Sitthichai said he had not heard back from the company about his new request to remove the still photo.

"It's hard to tell how (the company) will respond," Sitthichai said. "In some countries, it's a norm to have their leaders mocked, but this is different. With the king, it is very offensive to the Thai public."

Parodies of presidents and other public figures are protected in the United States under the First Amendment. YouTube and its owner, search company Google Inc., both have their headquarters in California.

When Sitthichai approached Google to remove the video, the company told him that some clips have attacked
President Bush far more harshly than the Thai king had been mocked.

Although the clip raised issues about freedom of expression in Thailand, many viewers also reacted with outrage, hurling abuse at the clip's creator, self-described as 30-year-old "paddidda" based in the United States.

Nonetheless, after the site was blocked and news of the ban circulated, the number of viewers of the video skyrocketed, with more than 40,000 visiting the site from around the world in about 24 hours, according to statistics posted on YouTube. Total views reached 66,553 before the video was pulled.

A YouTube spokeswoman, Julie Supan, said in an e-mail statement Wednesday night that the company was disappointed with the Thai block.

"The Internet is an international phenomenon and while technology can bring great opportunity and access to information globally, it can also present new and unique cultural challenges," she wrote.

YouTube was one of a number of Web sites deemed insulting to the king and blocked by Thailand's military-installed government, Sitthichai said.

Critics have accused the current government of blocking Web sites criticizing the September coup that overthrew former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The interim government installed after the coup has come under increasing criticism, and groups calling for an early restoration of democracy have organized protests.

 
At 1:17 AM, April 06, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

And You can read in very clear terms above that even in USA there is a limit to the extent to which you can speak against/make mockery of the President.

The dissent criminal warlords (SPAM) of Nepal and their supporters need to be taught some lessons. They have done enough damage not only to Nepal but also the figurehead institution of Nepal and it is in the best interest of Nepal to give them a lesson or two. They should and must go through these lessons in Democracy, Civility and Nationalism. If they don't learn these lessons kick them southwards or kill them. No other option.

 
At 1:18 AM, April 06, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Defacing king's pictures earns Swiss man 10 years

AP, CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Friday, Mar 30, 2007, Page 5

A Swiss man was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday for spray-painting graffiti over images of Thailand's revered king, the first conviction of a foreigner in at least a decade under strict Thai laws protecting the monarchy.

Oliver Rudolf Jufer, 57, who had pleaded guilty to five counts of lese majeste, or insulting the monarchy, had faced a maximum sentence of 75 years in prison. Shackled at the ankles and dressed in an orange prison uniform, Jufer was expressionless as the verdict was read and made no comment to reporters as he was ushered from the courtroom into a prison van.

Judge Phitsanu Tanbukalee told the court that Jufer was given a reduced sentence since he had admitted his wrongdoing. He has a month to appeal.

Jufer was caught by surveillance cameras on Dec. 5 spray-painting black paint over five outdoor posters of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Chiang Mai, where he lived, police and prosecutors said.

According to earlier testimony read aloud in court yesterday, Jufer had been drinking with a friend that night and drove his motorcycle home to pick up a can of spray-paint, which he had bought to paint his dog house, court clerk Nahathai Bachai said.

He drove up to a municipal office where a large poster of the king was hung outside and climbed a ladder to spray paint over the image. He then defaced four other posters near his home, the testimony said.

Bhumibol is protected from reproach by strict laws that forbid any criticism of the monarchy.

The vandalism coincided with Bhumibol's 79th birthday, which was celebrated across Thailand with fireworks and prayers. Millions of portraits of the king, who is the world's longest serving monarch, were hung late last year around the country to honor his birthday.

Jufer, who has lived in Thailand for 10 years, faced a penalty of three to 15 years for each of the five posters he defaced.

Bangkok's Criminal Court said its national database, which goes back a decade, showed that no foreigner had been convicted of lese majeste charges in at least 10 years. A handful of foreigners have faced similar charges in the past, but most were eventually deported to their home countries.

Jufer's court-appointed lawyer, Komkrit Kunyodying, called the penalty "appropriate for the crime he has committed," adding he did not yet know if his client planned to appeal.

The Swiss embassy in Bangkok said that it respected the Thai justice system, but that the verdict was a "tough" one.
This story has been viewed 518 times.

 
At 6:09 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, Anonymous, for bringing to the attention of this site the story on the fate of the foreigner who defaced a poster of the King of Thailand. Though a 10 year sentence does appear a bit much, the point is that King Bhumibol is revered by the people of Thailand. He represents stability in changing times. He has prevented coups by virtue of his moral influence. The absolute monarchy in Thailand was toppled by a coup in 1932 amidst strong anti-royalist sentiments. Yet the monarchy has survived there and King Bhumibol has reigned since 1946. He has shown himself as a self-less champion of the people. He has even funded development projects from his private funds. All of this should provide food for some serious thought in the current situation in Nepal - to the republicans as well as the monarchists.

 
At 8:07 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Horatio:
Thank you for that post. You described in your post the various qualities that the Thai Monarch possesses and hence he is bound to be a symbol of stability and revered by the people. Unfortunetly the Nepalese Monarch commands no such respect or admiration. Instead of being a symbol of stability he has become a symbol of polarization and instability. He is meddlesome and he has a homocidal son called Paras. He tried, very foolishly, to take over through a military coup on Feb 1st 2006. In the begining many people gave him the benefit of the doubt. But then his true colors started to come out. Unfortunetly, he surrounded himself with lunatics and yes man thereby making major strategic blunders and basically fcuked everything up. Then like a lame duck he restated parliment which now included the Maoists (a terrorist organization) and retreated back to his palace. So you can see Mr. Horatio there is much difference between your Monarch and ours.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 8:24 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bhudai Paudit: Your monarch also happens to be mine. The Thai King was cited merely as an example of how a monarchy becomes valuable to a nation. My comment, regarding Nepal, is related to the institution of monarchy (not any particular monarch). The US Presidency survived Nixon's crimes and Clinton's scandal because the institution was stronger than any individual. The same can be made to apply to the Nepalese monarchy.

 
At 8:51 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Horatio:
Perhaps. But if our Monarch wants to save the institution he needs to abdicate and pass the line of succession on to his grandson! Because no matter what your politcial sentiments the prospect of Paras becoming King is surely an unacceptable sceaniro.

Bhudai Pundit

 
At 8:53 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

By the way you might to reconsider changing your analogy with the US presidency. The US presedency is relavent - many may argue that the institution of Monarchy is no longer relavent.

 
At 11:17 AM, April 07, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What do you mean by monarchy being irrelevant? I honestly would like to know? How is it irrelevant now? It is, i think, more relevant today than it ever has been.

 
At 3:55 AM, April 08, 2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think Bhudai Pundit's suggestion above is the practical one for the future of monarchy in Nepal. As for the relevance of the monarchy, I agree with you B: what does Anon mean by the monarchy is irrelevant? Perhaps he/she would like to explain that.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home