The Way to National Unity
Hari Lal Shrestha, owner of the Hotel Woodlands, sporting the Maoist-approved eye badge given to all business owners in Kathmandu these days. Perhaps now we can all agree on one thing: The Maoists are bent on doing things their way and their way only. Unfortunately, their way involves-- and always has involved-- coercion and violence.
Witness the most recent beating of Hari Lal Shrestha, owner of the Hotel Woodlands. As if that crappy hotel didn't have enough problems, Maoists abduct ol' Hari and beat the shit out of him for suspending two workers.
This is the Maoist approach to any form of dissent.
Maoists control and have forcibly "unionized" hotel workers across the Kathmandu valley. Demands of even the laziest workers start from an extortive 20% pay increase to drastically decreased duties. Plus, insubordinate, late, inept or dishonest employess can no longer be disciplined or fired for fear of Maoist retaliation.
Basically, the inmates are running the assylum. Unfortunately, in a typical Maoist nation-building mis-cue, this will hit Nepal in one of its only functioning and profitable industries: Tourism. Nepal will no longer be that nice haven of inexpensive yet quality lodging. Now, all we'll get is bad service and high prices thanks to the "Fierce One."
But alas, there are the stirrings of national unity in all of this. The Nepal Internet servers have gone off line for a while in a protesting show of solidarity with poor ol' Hari the hotel owner. Plus, business owners have allied and are demanding protection from the government (fat chance) against such Maoist intimidation. Could this be the rumbling of a true populist movement?
Those of you who, in the past, have insisted on showing off your English educations by comparing your little Jana Andolan farce of last April with the French revolution may want to take note. The French revolution only succeeded when the Proletariat and business classes were brought on board-- just like we are seeing in Nepal now. The bottom line is: you need rich and influential business people on your side if you want a good coup; business leaders in Nepal are getting fed up now so we are approaching the boiling point. We are witnessing the formation of the foundations of a REAL revolutionary movement, thinks blogdai.
We are also just now starting to wake up to the fact that the Maoists:
*
-Have never honored any ceasefire, peacetalk or agreement with Nepal's government or King, NEVER!
*-Maoists have never backed down one inch from their violent ideological madness.
*
-Maosts have increased their presence and violence throughout Nepal.
*-Maoists have used every contact with the world community to further their aims rather than compromise. (Cantonments abandoned, arms falsified)
*
-Prachanda has no clue about how to run a government. If you can't control your own cadres, how you gonna' control a parliament? You can't expect to govern with ideological nonsense and conspiracy theories.
*
-And above all, Maoists don't compromise and DON'T NEGOTIATE.
So, let's start our journey towards national unity by agreeing on one thing:
THE MAOISTS MUST GO!
THE MAOISTS MUST GO!
THE MAOISTS MUST GO!
Put out the fliers, and spread the word to every village: this may be the only rallying point we will ever see.
-=blogdai
posted by blogdai @ 3/19/2007 09:19:00 AM
50 comments
50 Comments:
I say have a Non-coperation movement against the SPAM warlords to start with!
Absolutely. I like that idea.
We may have the start of that already. Our business leaders are demanding that the government actually DO something to protect against Maoist brutality.
It will be obvious to the business community that when Girija does nothing to protect them (and yes, he will do NOTHING)that a "no confidence" measure at the very least would be in the works. Non cooperation should be the end result of this process.
-=blogdai
I don't understand why the internet servers went on strike. How will going to strike affect the Maoists or SPA? It's the average Nepali who needs access to the internet, the student etc. that will suffer.
Bhudai Pundit
PS. I am on board with "Maoists need to go"
The one hour internet closure was a way of conveying the message that it is not business as usual.
Regarding suffering of students etc, in country where pregnant women lost their lives in extreme labor pain due to Maoists murders' blocking of road, lighting fire to the ambulance (also remember the girl Khatun burned alive in a bus by the Maoists near Narayangadh few years ago), you must be kidding!
sarki:
calm down.
I just want to the business commnunity or anyone else to do something that will affect the SPA leaders or the Maoists. Shutting downs servers? Who is that suppose to send a message to?
Bhudai Pundit
the message is symbolic and obvious. It is designed to show Maoists that at least some groups with influence in the business community are paying attention and are fed up.
Really, though, are you surprised? The only way we in Nepal know how to get our point across is via the self-martyring gesture. Bandh anyone? How about a Chaaka jam?
-=blogdai
As BD said, it's just a symbolic protest, similar to (say) wearing a black band. Just to convey the disquiet.. that's all.
Ummm... ok, but really, when did we ever 'move forward' that we even NEED a chakka jam now to make a point?
By default, Nepal has been in this perpetual state of 'chakka jam' for a while now.
-a warped Nepali
Listen truth is bitter - what has happened was because of our nonchalant attitude, kissing up a wrong tree for few hours of respite, and hoping when the day would come it would not be us. We rest assured on belief of self importance, connection and payment to all the SPAM members (untouchability), and finally self convinced ourselves with a reasonable doubt that what was happening was transient and for the good. SO WRONG- the worst part is YOU KNEW IT WAS WRONG.
Face up to it and correct it NOW. You think SPAM will protect you- they might promise you high heaven but for them you are just a necessary casualty and they will be there to holler and rant after the damage is done to you. So wise up- lay you cash register aside pick you stick- for now you are on you own.
Thats the reason I raised the issue of right to bear arms many many moons ago, thats the reason I talked about taking sides, and lastly fighting stones with stones rather than intellectual bullshits and snide comments.
Wake up dude- can you bet your well-being on SPAM, believe on them delivering golden future for your children- Hey, if you do then you are what you are and I will fight you tooth and nail- Bhudai, this is taking sides.
I support this bandh. Most of the business men who have closed down their offices are doing so with free will and no one is forced to do so. I support the isp's protest as well. If they had shut it down for 10 hrs a day, may be that would have been wrong.
Today the government has decided that they would prosecute everyone and anyone involved in extortion, kdnapping and physical assaults. What a joke? Did they need to decide that all these crimes are punishable?
I fully support this strike against Maoist atrocities. However, I have a few questions.
1) Why is Chandi Raj Dhakal, who has defaulted billions of rupees to Nepali banks leading the protest program? He defaults on billions, lives like a King, and does not even make any efforts to pay back. This hurts small time lenders, depositors, and investors. He is stealing billions from common Nepali people. It is not a good PR for businesses to have him lead the protest. Having him as a leader will not help gain more support from small mom and pop businesses.
2) Why are the businesses not protesting at the Maoist offices and instead protesting at the PM's residence.
3) Nepali businesses are notorious at not paying taxes, defaulting billions from banks, etc. But how do they expect Govt. to help whenever they need help but do not offer Govt. any help? You cannot be muchers all the time.
Anon: let me get this right. So taking sides is about bearing weapons and shooting whom ever you please. Yea that will definetly make Nepal less chaotic!
The Maoists just can't be tamed. It's more pathetic to keep hearing Prachanda blaming regressive forces. Someone needs to slap him. Hey anon maybe you can put your revolver on Prachanda's head and ask him to stop this BullSh*t.
Bhudai Pundit
It looks like this movement is taking momentum.
If I were SPA, I would use this as a leverage and get more bargaining power in the negotiation with Maoists. Use this event to disarm Maoists and stop their extortion.
Also, SPA should also meet Madhesi and Janjati's demands, make an alliance and gang up on Maoists.
Of course the fuckin' maoists should go, the question is, how to do it without full scale war and the slaughter of thousands of innocents? The RNA haven't had the stomach for it (or indeed had much inclination for coming out from behind their sandbags). The current attempt at bribing them to be peaceful is futile, they'll just grab the cash and carry on thugging. Any anti Maoist strategy will tend to play into their ugly little hands, so what to do?
All though Mr. Dhakal is a loan defaulter, i think he has every right to protest against the Maoists. Other wise it would be like saying, Mr. Mandal can not protest in Terai because he was in the royal government. It is the responsibility of the government to implement an effective tax system and take necessary measures against the defaulters. If the tax collection from the government is not effective, all business men would exploit that in all the countries. As far as defaulters are concerned, i think the banks' administration is equally at fault. The mortgage banks have accepted is of inferior value to the amount of loan sanctioned and in most of these cases commissions are involved. Once again, if you can take out a loan of Rs.1 by mortgaging Rs. 0.5, wouldn't you?
I understand that Chandi Dhakal has every right to protest although he is a loan defaulter. However, it will help this cause if someone else besides a loan defaulter is leading the protest. There are many good people around. He is not an ordinary person who just could not pay the loan. He is a con man. This gives a bad name to good business people who are fighting for a genuine cause.
Are we STILL trying to preserve some sort of moral/ethical standard in face pure EEEVIL???
Dhakal a loan defaulter. Perhaps. That does not, however, preclude him or any other groups/individuals from resisting the 'excesses' of Maoist thugs. On the contrary, by that very courageous act Dhakal redeems himself as loan defaulter - even by an ounce - he does so, still.
Can't say the same about others, can we now?!
-free
mmbsapxAnon: let me get this right. So taking sides is about bearing weapons and shooting whom ever you please. Yea that will definetly make Nepal less chaotic!
Bhudai- Get a grip. You are talking with a responsible, law abiding people here. What do you take us for- Prachande. But how chaotic you want before they make you run.
I dont understand people complaining about internet cuts. I mean, we live in a country where there is a total of seven hours of load shedding every day and everyone seems to put up with that while one hour of internet cut is considered head line news.
Anon:
If you make bearing weapons the norm have you considered the possibility that even non law abiding citizens would also be entitled to that right? You have a gun fine. But now imagine if these crazy student mob activists all have guns. Or all Maoist workers carry firearm etc. Do you see things getting less chaotic?
What Nepal needs is a leader with a brain and some balls. That leader then needs to make some reforms to the NA and go after the Maoists since these Mao Mofos are not capable of being tamed. They need to dragged on the street and their brains need to be blown out.
That's the only way!
And please no one propose Gyanendra as that leader - we have already seen that he has neither of the two requirements I sitpulated.
Bhudai Pundit
The issue is not the internet cuts themselves, their duration or their effectiveness. Concentrating on this misses the point entirely. What IS important is the burgeoning show of solidarity that these cuts represent. Not just a bandh or jam for any old reason, but a precise and considered gesture. Internet cuts show that the business community may have quite a few highly effective maneuvers up their collective sleeves.
Also, forget who embezzled what and who defaulted where on whatever loan. No one on any side is clean in this mess. You keep looking for saints and you'll have a very small tent from which to start your movement. THE POINT IS, solidarity and UNITY. A collective voice need not be a pure and righteous one, only a unified one.
In Nepal today, there is only power in numbers. Blogdai says, watch the numbers and power of this businessman's protest grow. What have we now, 72 trade and professional groups that have aligned with this protest? Crooks, maybe, but not a sham politician among them to my knowledge.
-=blogdai
If you make bearing weapons the norm have you considered the possibility that even non law abiding citizens would also be entitled to that right? You have a gun fine. But now imagine if these crazy student mob activists all have guns. Or all Maoist workers carry firearm etc. Do you see things getting less chaotic.
Bhudai- it amazes me to see your logic. Don't non law abiding terrorist or their student wings have no gun now?? And aren't we scared shitless now just because of their maurading and gun whipping tendencies?? Where you been to comment like that!
By gun I mean for self protection and to have a level playing field. We have the blog to chitter chatter with no impact- really, whereas they use the gun to get their way. So we need to even it out. Oh, Lord! Strike a light so Bhudai can see clear from the maze he himswlf has created.
Hey I thought these mothers called maoist were for Loktrantra and empowerment of down trodden, I guess I am wrong. Read this piece:
Dear Dr Bhattrai (I hope Comrade Gadha soon recovers)
By Dr Brian Metters
Dear Dr Bhattrai
I recently wrote to your comrade, Prachanda, but unfortunately have not had any reply from him despite offering him the best of my advice. So, since he seems to be under a lot of pressure at the moment from the Madhesi and the businessmen of Kathmandu, I thought I'd write to you as the self-proclaimed intellectual leader of the Party.
First of all I write to express my concern for your leader who does seem to be making a lot of mistakes at the moment. He really doesn't seem to know what to do about the Madhesi people and their demands and this is something he must get used to (people making demands) if he wishes to be a democratic political leader. Also his pronouncements about the weapons count by the UN seems misleading in the extreme, as well as his threats to "mobilise forces for attacks overnight if needed". Of course his regular statements about "reactionary pro-monarchy" forces being behind the businessmen's strike and the supposed threats to assassinate US embassy staff are sounding increasingly hysterical. Perhaps this is why many of my Nepali family and friends are beginning to call him a Murkha and a Gadha.
Second I write to draw your attention to two recent reports of incidents that concern me greatly. The first of these is a report in the Times Of India today about a delegation of Buddhist Lamas making representation to GP Koirala, your prime minister. These 38 Lamas have recently visited and surveyed a number of monasteries around the country and found that they are regularly receiving demands for money, crops and food by Maoists. I quote from the article: "They threatened us that they would take action if we did not listen to them," an elderly lama said after the meeting. "We are forced to give them paddy and money."
Surely Dr Bhattrai this is no way for a political party or it's members to behave, unless you are following in Mao Tse Tung's footsteps and his quote "Religion is poison". Your intellectual and policy comments on this would be most welcome as I'm sure Comrade Gadha thinks these Lamas are reactionary pro-monarchy forces!
The other report I would appreciate your comments on concerns some recent appointments within your party. But before I quote from another report on these, about a month ago a very close source of mine was at a party in Kathmandu. You attended yourself, but only after your wife had been there for a while to "pave the way for your great presence". During this time she openly spoke about how she and her sisters etc would get important and powerful jobs in the upcoming government and what she would do/act upon when she had the power. I have no comment on these conversations, yet. However, today I have seen a report which states the following: CPN (Maoist) Valley-in-charge Pawanman Shrestha (Prabhakiran) has been replaced by Hitman Shakya. Similarly, Hisila Yami, wife of Dr Baburam Bhattrai, has been appointed as the Deputy Valley-in-charge.
Prachanda's wife Sita Poudel likewise, has been appointed as the Central Advisor in the headquarters. Prabha, wife of Dev Gurung, who was the Incharge of Kaski district, has been appointed as the in-charge of Bhaktapur. Prachanda's son Prakash similarly has been leading the security department of headquarters. His wife Renu has been appointed in Kathmandu District Committee. All these appointments in CPN (Maoist) have encouraged the culture of nepotism in the party. One of the activists of CPN (Maoist) has said like other political parties even CPN (Maoist) has encouraged nepotism.
Once again Dr Bhattrai this seems rather hypocritical of a party that proclaims itself to be democratic. By making these appointments you send a clear signal to the Nepali people that corruption and nepotism is the new way forward just as it was the old way and that similar appointments will be made IF you ever get into government. Elections, achievement and ability will count for nought.
So, I look forward very much to receiving your reply, though I am not holding my breath during my wait.
Yours in comradeship, and do give my regards to comrade Gadha for a speedy recovery
Dr BM.
Dr Brian Metters is a retired psychologist and an active mountaineer. See more of his work at http://nepalfreedom.blogspot.com
Blogdai, you say- Maoists must go. But we know this will not happen soon. If anything- you should say that "Maoists must CHANGE."
Look what happened yesterday in Gaur. I would say what you say-
"YES, MAOISTS MUST GO."
But let me add few more-
"Girija must go. Situala must resign. Matrika and Upendra should be hanged for killing about thirty people."
Oh- I forget there's a king too in this country. And look at the last comment in this blog by anonomyous about nepalfreedom- he's such a pro-royalist. They must go.
So who will remain here-
OH it's you and I- with our ordinary, innocent and honest people who really want to do sth in this country, don't you agree?
When you appease a demon- it torments given a chance. And my, my have we given them a chance, you tell me. SPA has been the one abetting Maoist for the false notion of taming a devil- now they gonna eat them alive. The culture of hate, killing, and indiscipline is so deep- this land of peace and harmony has been distrubed for many eons to come, and for what? For few lunatics who believe in kissing balls of India and seeing themselves as saviour of enlightment on political discourse and principle whereas majority die of hunger and deprivation of basic necessities and rights. So in the end, house built by foresight and fortitide of so many valiant Kings and principle actors who spilled their blood in the name of Nepal, shall perish as a nation which was let down by its own people in the cry for much bellowed but not understood Loktrantra. It is not easy but the fact is Nepali did fail Nepal.
Man, am I ashamed to be Nepali? Damn right, I am.
DOA (Deadonarrival)
The very fact that we are so far along in this mess and people continue to say that "Maoists must change" hints at the source of the problem. Maoists are violent, arrogant and unbending simply because they know that they will always be given one more chance to "change." They've fooled us and manipulated our hopeful nature for too long. Enough! Maoists must GO!
This Brian matthews idiot is another climber with an ego the size of sagarmatha trying to insinuate himself into a process for which he knows nothing. Typical climber/MD mentality. Somehow, a letter from an educated foreigner who't full of himself will solve all the problems. This is nothing but static from an imbecile. CLIMBERS MUST GO! (Sorry, got ahead of myself)
-=blogdai
"This Brian matthews idiot ......"
Looks like this guy might be on your side.
Well if he's written this rather cheeky letter as humor or satire then a joke is a joke and I stand down.
More than likely, by it's behind the curve tone, this guy was seriously trying to contact Prachanda and rehash and scold him for things we've all known for quite some time. thank you good doctor for your apparent recent "awakening" to those issues and facts that we've all been hashing out now for a good two years. Perhaps now that all of this has gotten YOUR attention, progress can be made, right?
Perhaps you should avidly climb another mountain and boldly go where everyone has probably gone before, via short-rope. I guess that is a climbers mentality: Insinuate their maverick bravery and boldness on all of us as a big sheild for simply following in the footsteps of others.
-=blogdai
>>THE MAOISTS MUST GO!
Perhaps, but let us entertain the option here. Who are the Maoists? I am beginning to get perpetually confused now. I don’t think the foot soldiers of PLA are ‘Maoists’ as such. The identity of Maoists is itself so vague that to propose ‘getting rid of Maoists’ is to erase last 17 years of Nepali socio-political history. And to erase history by definition is to live in lies and denial.
We would perhaps like to go back to 1990; for some even prior to that. However, wishful thinking is just that – wishful thinking; the reality of day - whether we like it or not - is much more complex. The existence of third force – apart from palace and parties, lends itself due to the fissure that developed between palace and parties. Had the two been ‘tight’, Maoists wouldn’t have risen to either national or international significance as we see today.
In absence of Maoists, a third force will emerge – perhaps more brutal and devious – in whose image we would be satisfied to justify massacre like that in Gaur, simply because we have now got rid of the same ole thugs, simply because, we want some new thugs to take over and enjoy their thuggery – indiscriminately. How democratic indeed!
At least Maoists are thugs we know and, by now, should have known the ‘proper’ way of dealing with them also. My money is on devil I know of 11 years rather than the devil I would have to know through the experiences with the likes that of Gaur.
Instead, I believe the party leaders (SPA) are the ones who need to re-invent themselves. After all, these are the people in power now – custodian of Nepalis so to speak, under whose administration we see the bloodiest of events unfolding in front of our eyes. The SPA broke their bonds with the palace and tried to make amends with the Maoists. There could not have been a bigger blunder. I believe it is fair to say that SPA as reps of Nepali people have jeopardized and gambled the future of Nepalis in the hands of either Maoists, a foreign occupying force or simply a crime syndicate from Bihar.
I respectfully disagree with your assertion but I believe Maoists are here to stay. The only point of contention is, can we even preserve what we have left of this country before we spiral out control where not even the government, military or Maoists can attempt to salvage whatever notion of nation and governance they all have for Nepal.
-free
And why then are we spiraling out of control? Is it not fair to say that SPA has enabled and encouraged Maoism's bloody march to power and Nepal's resultant spiral?
Simply saying that Maoists are a familiar and comfortable entity--like an old shoe--is the wrong approach. A larger viewpoint is that the tragedy in Gaur was a result of the lawless and violent example set by the Maoists. Prachanda's campaign of murder and violence, if nothing else, exposed the slow acting and inept government of Nepal and gave ideas and encouragement to all violent groups.
To imply that Maoists are keeping some level of balance over a possible future, more violent force shows how far our thinking has spiraled, indeed. If I have cancer, I'm not going to let it fester and kill me because I fear that I might catch Ebola instead.
A healthy body--Nepali government--can fend off disease and attackers. If our immune system is weakened by the disease that is Maoism, then all forces--as we see today--will begin to take their turn at destroying us.
Bottom line: purge the Maoist cancer, start the healing process, and become a strong, unified nation.
-=blogdai
>>And why then are we spiraling out of control? Is it not fair to say that SPA has enabled and encouraged Maoism's bloody march to power and Nepal's resultant spiral?
Absolutely! If we are really playing a blame game then we might as well make blanket assertion that every attempt to make Nepal a functioning state – starting with the institution of monarchy has failed. But where does that get us NOW?
I do not want to defend the Maoists here because they can do so themselves with their guns elsewhere. But I certainly don’t want to reduce major Nepali population who subscribe to the idea of bare minimum existence by tagging them as Maoists either. ‘Purging’ Maoists is NOT going to solve the problem. Apart from select few who are at the helm of Maoist political structure, how are you even going to identify who is and who is not a Maoist? Maoism has thrived on stratification, and as long as there remains such in Nepali society, Maoism, the idea behind or its derivation would continuously emerge. If you kill Prachanda today, Upendra Yadav will emerge. Kill Upendra Yadav tomorrow some X Tharu will emerge.
The NEW solution is to answer OLD problem – not to implement OLD solution of ‘wiping out’ population. Wipe out population and the idea behind it will gain more gravity.
The culture of violence at national level has definitely benefited from Maoism at some level. However, to rationalize current massacre in Gaur as some sort of example set by rebels by shrugging it as a recycled karma of who got what they deserved is typical of our inability to look beyond tit-for-tat politics which have no larger benefit.
Equating Maoists with cancer is almost the same as Maoists equating everybody else a virus that have helped Nepal to the death-bed of Pashupatinath. Malcolm X too thought white people were virus that spread in your body and sucked you dry slowly. But who buys that today?!
You are telling me that thuggery is acceptable.
Look, no one is advocating mass killing of anyone remotely affected towards maoism, but Maoism itself most definitely needs to be exterminated. And, we must do this on a policy leve.
First, officially ban the practice of Maoism or any act conducted under the name of Maoism. Next, imprison violent perpetrators and encourage village policing of all who would use firearms to intimidate and coerce. Also, strike and eliminate known Maoist training centers. Everyone knows where they are. Blogdai has even been to a few of them. Wipe them out and send a strong signal. You can second-guess yourself into paralysis by worrying about such nebulous concepts as the socio-political impact of maoism. What equilibrium, exactly, are you worried about disturbing?
Should our years of living with Maoist fear and intimidation now be woven into our social fabric?
If you don't ban Maoism outright you will never ban any of the subsequent groups that will emerge. violent groups use our sense of mercy and tolerance as a leveraging tool to help them maintain their activities in the field. Basically, if it don't hurt us, we ignore it, goes their thinking. Stop waffling around this idea that borders on assymilative acquiescense. The Maoists laugh at such weakness. Set a timetable with an ultimatum and that's it.
You will never have peace or political stability in Nepal unless you restore the rule of law. Citizens must be made to believe that there is an actual government who will protect their interests and guard their safety. Without this, people tend to join groups and movements as alternative methods of fulfilling this need.
Police now. Re-establish government as a strong central presence by eliminating Maoists.
Do what it takes to restore stability. Without it, you can have no nation.
-=blogdai
Sorry, but the Maoists are in the government. You can't include them in the government one day and ban them the next.
If they show restraint, then there really is no need to.
We've got to make do with what we've got. In principle, working with Maoists is a very bad idea, but there are no alternatives. If we consign them to the jungles once more, things will get a lot worse.
It does appear, however, that they are weaker than they are made out to be. If a bunch of people armed with sticks and bricks and a few guns could dispatch 30 of them so easily, it does not speak very highly of the Maoists' strength. On the other hand, they probably have a core group of fighters who are well armed. They probably number 8,000 or so.
The army could have routed the Maoists if it had good intelligence, and if it didn't indulge in ham-handedness of its own, such as brutalizing the rural people. Add to that the lack of professionalism.
But there's no way people will consent to another war against the Maoists, at least if they behave well from now on.
If they don't, well, I don't know. All options then become open, I suppose.
Contradictory, no?
"You will never have peace or political stability in Nepal unless you restore the rule of law."
"Wipe them out and send a strong signal."
Better if you advocate bringing them to justice by prosecuting people who perpetrate violence through a court system - but then again the nati-general would rather "kill the rabble"...
"nebulous concepts as the socio-political impact of maoism." - maybe equlaity, democracy, justice, truth are also nebulous concepts. The great scorpio nebula! indeed!
And perhaps the most irritating part of your argument is this - "Everyone knows where they are." - In Nepal everyone knows what the problem is, or who the bad guys are, the Maoists know, Krishna Sitaula knows, the King knows, heck! even blogdai knows..... but there is so much incaction - get into your thick skull, it does not matter what everyone knows, you need to prove them with the help of a neboulous concept called evidence! moron, but you will not get it and start accuing everyone except yourself of being a fool!
>>but Maoism itself most definitely needs to be exterminated. And, we must do this on a policy leve(l).
Exactly! Agree with you 100% there. But tell me, how would you attack Maoism on policy level if you do not have ammunition – mainly policies of regenerating Nepali society from the state of complete chaos? At least Maoists have various plans and policies in place. I have never heard of an SPA or even Royalist plan to dig Nepal out of this slump and move forward.
Who is going to take Maoists on policy level then? Granted that we now have more violent groups to challenge Maoists in the field, shall we presume that some other groups with equal rhetoric will emerge that can tone down Maoists propaganda with its very own?
It is not ‘Maoism’ that has taken root; it is the idea – of all things – fairness, that has taken root. How would you eliminate the idea like that, except by finding ways of honoring them? We might be able to exterminate ‘Maoism’ at procedural level, but we will not be able to eliminate the substance of such processes – mainly their call for equality, fairness etc. It has already spread like wildfire.
My point is that macro-political solution is almost redundant in Nepal’s case right now. At this point, it really does not matter whether the king, parties or the Maoists control the country. Where as strong centralized force is required of stabilizing the country, we seem to always think in terms of our viewpoints projecting outside of Kathmandu and conclude how such are generally accepted and relevant throughout the country also. Recent Terai massacre has shown how Kathmandu-centric thinking can backfire gravely.
I don’t think ‘socio-political’ impact of Maoism differs any differently than it did/does with monarchy. Monarchy, which was considered a strong unifying force has unwittingly and ironically become the reason of national disintegration. Maoism, which rose on the grievances of marginalized, is itself gaining momentum towards being rendered redundant by the ‘marginalized’ themselves. Maoists’ class-based rhetoric holds little sway to hyper-emotional 'ethnic' Nepalis compared to their regional-ethnic politics these days.
There is no need really to weave Maoists into the social fabric anymore. They rose out of the very fabric that we are trying so hard to preserve, albeit at different levels.
As someone correctly pointed out earlier, they are in the government now. To corner them now and call for their extinction from Nepali politics is to be blind to many years of Nepali political progression and risk the opportunity of fixing the broken system once and for all.
-free
good stuff, free, as always.
Most of what you are saying, and here's where I diverge from your opinion, centers around the idea that the Maoists are in the government so we'd better get used to it and make it work. Am I right?
But let's look at it. The Maoists are part of an alliance that was thrown together to break the King's coup. Since that time, the Maoists have ignored all edicts and agreements, made their own divergent comments and proclamations, and have, essentially run a parallel government. If the Maoists were in fact "in" the government, shouldn't they work "with" the government? Prachanda doesn't seem to want to play the parliament game of give and take--unless he does most of the taking--and he's too quick to threaten a break in unity and a return to violence. Blogdai personally thinks the maoists are again using their newfound stature for tactical purposes. They'll play in the halls of power as long as they are relevant. Girija knows this too. Recent decisions and ammendment proposals were concocted without so much as a consultation with the Maoists. Prachanda is Girija's 800 pound gorilla now: he can't seem to shake him without giving up the big banana of government leadership. Want more? the Yanks, even the perennially "behind-the-curve" Moriarty know that Maoists in government are a non-starter. hence their official State Department proclamation threatening to cut off aid (heavin forbid!) if a Maoist takes office in any kind of decision making capacity.
But you are dead-on with your chicken and egg conundrum: We need to address and ban maoism on a policy leve(l) if for no other reason than to prove that nepal has a unified government that can make big decisions. But, sadly, there is no such unity to be found in our sham govenment.
Me suggests a good side-stepping of the bungled bureacracy by a new alliance: business leaders, military and some form of ethnic regional body from the villages. Use this group to issue a blanket banning statement. Far fetched? Blogdai thinks it's more feasible than waiting for SPA to move away from the pig trough and do something substantive.
-=blogdai
"he's too quick to threaten a break in unity and a return to violence."
Actually I don't think the Maoists have threatend to do this. I don't think Prachanda is keen on going back to the jungles. People also over-estimated their strength. If the SPA had brains and balls they should be able to leverage all this and put their foot down with the Maoists. But the SPA is too busy dorwning in their own drool at the prospect of future ministerial positions to upset the status quo.
Bhudai Pundit
Oh, Jeez, how many times in the last month alone has Prachanda mentioned that if a republic were not formed, or this or that act were not performed that he and his cadres would be forced to "resume our campaign." He uses this constant threat as leverage and yes, he means a return to the old Maoist ways. (Did they ever cease?)
don't nit pick this point because it is an ancillary example of the real point: Prachanda seeks a Maoist identity in government and not a unified SPAM agenda. Period.
-=blogdai
Thank you, blogdai. It’s certainly been engaging. Pardon the length this time but I’ll try to keep em short in the future.
Long ago I reflected on Maoists’ temporary love affair with democracy in the following way:
“Maoists believe in democracy only as long as they are winning.”
From the very onset of their rebellion Maoists have made clear where they stand. The very word Maoism runs shiver down democrats’ spine, and rightly so. If we are to buy into the fact that these people are for representative democracy then we are only deluding ourselves. You are right, there is a greater ulterior motive within Maoists rank-and-file of their intention to join the government, and sooner they do it, the better they are off – so they think.
There are two reasons for it:
1. Gives them enough (unlimited??) access to power in using state apparatus such as judiciary, legislative and military body to achieve their end goal through step-by-step process. Case in point: Outlawing MPRF and similar anti-Maoist organizations LEGALLY!
2. Provides legitimacy within their party and PLA structure which is almost beginning to disintegrate now. Gives them time and resources ($$$) to regroup and strengthen their agenda, creating a macro class-based war in the future rather than a micro ethnic-regional conflict of the present.
To think that Maoists have lost their prominence is to be shortsighted. We could have overestimated its strength, but its influence persists. Temporary ethnic conflict lends itself to the very idea they seeded about autonomy, ethnic empowerment, equal representation and the rest. Just that Maoists want to attend to those once they are in the driving seat – in their own terms, I think. Similarly, who is to say Nepalis will not identify themselves along class rather than caste and lead a modern communist revolution in the near future?
Yes, Maoists are more than a bully. But we knew that; everybody knew that. Girija knew that when he struck a 12 MoU with the Maoists in Delhi. If Prachanda is Girija’s 800 lb gorilla, then what led this frail geriatric to strike a deal with him rather than G in the first place?
Look, the point is, there are enough reasons for Maoists being where they are. We might disagree with their ways of conducting themselves, but I am not surprised, and neither should anybody else for that matter. I do agree that there are ways to render Maoists insignificant in action than in policy. You allude to business leaders, military and ethnic-regional body overcoming the overblown Maoist bully. Certainly! The focus should be to stop their march, or at least put brakes on their momentum going forward. And I am sure you agree that such is already happening at so many levels. People have started questioning Maoists legitimacy. Recent Terai conflicts have demonstrated how vulnerable they are. If fear is what keeps Maoists alive, in absence of that they are dead. And in fear of being stripped naked of its hollowness in front of the whole wide world, Maoists want to sneak in immediately into the government and become part of it.
If at all, Girija should delay the formation of interim government. Longer Maoists remain outside of the government and out of the jungle, the more vulnerable they become to public’s wrath.
The sad thing is, the people, by that I mean the business/investor class, middle class, daily wage earners and very average simple everyday folks need to start taking control of their country in their hand. Like I said earlier, to rely on SPA and Civil Society to take us through this transition phase without jeopardizing the future of Nepalis into the hands of either the Maoists, foreign occupying force – (duh! India), or simply an organized crime syndicate from Bihar is to be most naïve in assessing our leader’s capacity and intent yet again.
-free
What we have here is failure to to comprehend the core but get over intellectual in terms of analyzing the periphery. The root of the problem is this whereas Maoist are blunt and they get their end by any means possible.
Maoist are a Threat, is there a second opinion on this?
SPA are unelected and unmandated, is there a second opinion on this? And finally Assembly, it is illegal and unmandated, there should be no second opinion on this.
When you know these basic information why is there an effort by so-called-intellegencia to give benefit of the doubt or even credibility which they do not deserve. Now, you might say I right winging it, no way. All I am saying is- lets have the barometer that is not swayed by false notion that all will be right if we appease, get overly inclusive and down right surrender the basic tenet of democracy and its norm just so all will fall in its place-and we will have ever lasting peace. This is hope against hope just as hope not a method.
Basically we all know what is at hand so rather than intellectualizing it to death- lets put it to death (SPAM) by any means available. This is excatly what they are doing to this nation. Lets not go overboard analyzing too much- all we will have is hot air but not hot oven.
A comment on Wagle after he spoke rather disparagingly against Deuba's call for CA postponment:
How judgmental you can be, Wagle? Is there any difference between YCL or Kangaroo court of Maoist than you, hell no. Everyone has right to speak but you speak with premediated & preconcieved ideas and go vocal for someone speaking the truth. This does not suit you at all, comrade Wagle. Do not ever imagine Loktratra means only your kind a Trantra, By the way I don't like this word Loktratra - borrowed from Indians with a enslaved mentality of SPAM leaders- THE WORD IS DEMOCRACY AND MULTIPARTY.
Grow up-you pampered Wagle- fed by foreign monies, indoctored by foreign trips, conventions and study tour. All you have is jilted lover’s syndrome. It all shows on your knee jerk comments that is void of substance. The one and only envious, malicious, and yellow journalist- Wagle
>>The root of the problem is this whereas Maoist are blunt and they get their end by any means possible.
Well you seem to know the ROOT of the problem so what the hell are YOU doing about it, apart from taking the comfortable way out by thrashing Maoists on blogs?
>>Maoist are a Threat, is there a second opinion on this?
Threat to what? Threat to whom? Threat to 5% of population that control 90% of Nepal’s land and wealth? Be specific.
>>SPA are unelected and unmandated, is there a second opinion on this?
Again, in the history of Nepal, SPA is the ONLY entity elected - albeit 8-10 years ago. Show me a second entity that even got where they did through such process.
>>And finally Assembly, it is illegal and unmandated, there should be no second opinion on this.
Illegal as in against the law? What law? The interim constitution scraps all previous laws.
>>All I am saying is- lets have the barometer that is not swayed by false notion that all will be right if we appease, get overly inclusive and down right surrender the basic tenet of democracy and its norm just so all will fall in its place-and we will have ever lasting peace
What is the option? I put this forward in my previous posts, but couldn’t get any satisfactory answer besides people taking law into their hands. Should we reintroduce G then? Or, are you calling for a counter-revolution of criminals sneaked-in through India? Then be prepared for grisly bloodbath like that seen in Gaur. That should get your mojo working.
>>Lets not go overboard analyzing too much- all we will have is hot air but not hot oven
Yeah, let’s get back to our national characteristics of hotheadedness and put EVERYTHING we don’t like to death.
-free
Free:
This is little off the topic.
Correct me if I am wrong but weren't you calling for Gyanendra to take over again etc. a few months ago? And weren't you the guy/gal that was writing derogatory remarks about Madeshis and other ethnic groups etc. at UWB?
I might have you confused with someone else.
Bhudai Pundit
Huh?! What the hell are you talking about Punditjee? Combination of smoking ganja and reading too much Ved is giving you a Don Quixote complex.
Just so you know, UWB is literally a n online Nepali tabloid which I frequent not.
I could have sworn.
Anyway thanks for clarifying.
Bhudai Pundit
Well Free,- you put on good issue. 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. Now on to your second assesment- SPA being elected albiet 8 years ago. Are we to assume any elected by any means possible is good enough. i weep for the brothers who have laid their life in vain. You talk about law- are we to presume any proclaimation made by a decree is a law? Then God help us.
Now, in regards to Maoist- THEY are a threat to world peace, life, liberty and freedom. It is not the question of specific threat to one group or other- its a basic reality. And to misdirect it as threat only to one Specific group is a misnomer and downright false.
Lets not have a habit of going for second best or option as if to pull wool over our heads. This protracted state does not bode well for the nation as a whole. In my eyes- assembly is illegal in any law, unmandated representatives are illegal (elected 8 years ago- lets not copy old Soviet form of government), and damn right Maoist are a threat.
Now the question doing something other than thumping keyboard- you will be suprised that people like us are slowly but surely working at it- not just hot air. I guess in these times like this calling a spade, spade is to the contrary.
A big thank you to Hari Lal Shrestha for standing up against the brutal Maoists and exposing them. You are a brave man.
We need courageous people like Hari Lal to fight against these thugs.
freeyoursenses (05:31:24) :
Idiot Patriot. Like some poster asked you earlier, ‘where does your patriotism lie’, I ask you also, WHERE does your patriotism lie? Is it in the police force of SIngapore, or Brunei? Is it in the barracks of your master - Brits, or is it in the plains of India with jawans of Baharatia Sena?
All the MYTH about MARTIAL RACE was CONSTRUCTED by Brits during the Raj to enlist simple minded folks to fight for their super capitalist and colonial cause. It were these same group who fought for the Brits everywhere -silencing the voices of people demanding independence from Britain. Now, the same group - in the garb of self-determination, are calling strikes and bandhs and demanding ‘autonomy’ from the country they absolutely ignored before. A VC here and a VC there doesn’t make the Rais and Limbus - along with many others who sacrificed for the CROWN OF BRITAIN and SULTAN OF BRUNEI more respectable than those RNA and even Maoist soldiers who actually died for THEIR country. Now THAT’S patriotism - unlike your hollow facade which is symtomatic of a TRAITOR.
Patriot, a traitor of highest regard!
And this sounds like the sourest of grapes.
People who read tabloids deserve to be lied to...
naagboy
Anyone who feels that monarchy should be preserved in NEpal and she should remain a kingdom then please share your ideas/suggestions at:
nail_opmer@yahoo.co.uk
thank-you
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