A New Prime Murderer
Unwilling to be contained any longer, new PM Prachanda's plan for Nepal balloons out and escapes from the side of his head.
A good title for Prachanda's biography: "Killing your way to the top."
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Take a good look, Nepal. This is what you get when you don't pay attention to National politics.
Charles Haviland of the BBC and others gushingly say this election of Maoist strong-man Prachanda to the Prime Ministership paves the way for the creation of a "democratic government." How woefully uninformed. I especially love it when people like Haviland breathlessly chirp that the Maoists have "wide support in the villages." Dear God. They have wide support because people don't want to get killed for not supporting them. Hey Charles, if they are so well loved in the countryside, how come the poplulation of Kathmandu has tripled over the last 5 years? The capital city is swollen to the breaking point with refugees from the countryside. I guess they need a little break from all that "wide support" they're giving the Maoists, right?
Give him his due, Prachanda's may be the biggest political genius of all. He's found the one thing that unites Nepalis into a Nation: FEAR.
Hopefully it will be short lived. In what could be the perfect corner for "The Fierce One" (who incidentally didn't look so fierce with all those flower Mallas strangling him) to trap himself, Prachanda can no longer run back into the woods and hide. He's got to perform now. His biggest tool had always been the threat of "taking to the streets" in protest when things didn't go his way, now he will be forced to find political solutions to difficult issues or risk being labeled as yet another weak and ineffective Nepali Prime Minister. And don't think those vanquished politicians are going to sit quietly. They've got plenty of skill and power and will be looking to form any wedge they can in a Prachanda government.
Charles Haviland of the BBC and others gushingly say this election of Maoist strong-man Prachanda to the Prime Ministership paves the way for the creation of a "democratic government." How woefully uninformed. I especially love it when people like Haviland breathlessly chirp that the Maoists have "wide support in the villages." Dear God. They have wide support because people don't want to get killed for not supporting them. Hey Charles, if they are so well loved in the countryside, how come the poplulation of Kathmandu has tripled over the last 5 years? The capital city is swollen to the breaking point with refugees from the countryside. I guess they need a little break from all that "wide support" they're giving the Maoists, right?
Give him his due, Prachanda's may be the biggest political genius of all. He's found the one thing that unites Nepalis into a Nation: FEAR.
Hopefully it will be short lived. In what could be the perfect corner for "The Fierce One" (who incidentally didn't look so fierce with all those flower Mallas strangling him) to trap himself, Prachanda can no longer run back into the woods and hide. He's got to perform now. His biggest tool had always been the threat of "taking to the streets" in protest when things didn't go his way, now he will be forced to find political solutions to difficult issues or risk being labeled as yet another weak and ineffective Nepali Prime Minister. And don't think those vanquished politicians are going to sit quietly. They've got plenty of skill and power and will be looking to form any wedge they can in a Prachanda government.
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The good part:
With any luck, the trappings of power and world attention will dilute Prachanda's violent and radical tendencies. Blinded by the light, blogdai hopes. He looked a bit overwhelmed by his victory so let's hope he stays overwhelmed by all the world attention and doesn't drop the repressive Mao hammer on the people.
Also, a Prime Minister as volatile as Prachanda will give Nepal what it sorely lacks in government: a true system of checks and balances. The RNA will keep its distance and monitor developments critically from now on. They're already an independent lot and won't tolerate Prachanda's continued insistence that Maoist fighters be integrated into the National army. Our army boys will be only too willing to step into the fray should Prachanda trigger a Communist ideological melt-down.
Also, a Prime Minister as volatile as Prachanda will give Nepal what it sorely lacks in government: a true system of checks and balances. The RNA will keep its distance and monitor developments critically from now on. They're already an independent lot and won't tolerate Prachanda's continued insistence that Maoist fighters be integrated into the National army. Our army boys will be only too willing to step into the fray should Prachanda trigger a Communist ideological melt-down.
Next, new president Ram Baran Yadav genuinely seems to be a man of integrity and personal conviction. Forget his claimed "crisis" in Nepal; Yadav blatently snubbed the Chinese and their invitation to the Olympics. His very election threw the Maoists into a tantrum whereby they threatened to not form a government. He'll be no rubber stamp for Maoist plans, that's for sure.
The best part is that Girija is officially GONE! blogdai can barely contain the political joy at the prospects. Plus, Deuba, Makune, and Oli are relegated to the status of opposition party. As we said in past columns, if the Maoists can do nothing else right, we owe them some form of thanks for removing these greedy idiots and obstacles to progress from the halls of power.
The bad part:
I can see it now, YCL cadres seizing suites at the Radisson and demanding free room service.
Maoist cadres running wild in the villages sparking retalliatory killings and looting at will.
Prachanda's penchant for seizing property could take on grand proportions in Kathmandu.
The world community determines Nepal to be a rogue state and drastically curtails foreign aid.
Too many of these scenarios to list, I'm afraid....
The bottom line is: The new leader of Nepal has more blood on his hands than all the Rana kings combined. Our pain and suffering will be on the ground and in the villages, not in the halls of government. We are in for more turbulence, not less. When will we wake up?
At least we got rid of Girija.
-=blogdai
posted by blogdai @ 8/16/2008 05:37:00 PM
57 comments
57 Comments:
Forget Havilland of BBC, 'our' own media has sensationalized Prachanda and Maoists and taken them to dizzying heights. The Dixits of Times have unabashedly legitimized the 'New Prime Murderer' by further portaying him as a humble framer's son destined to become the first PM of Nepal, conveniently overlooking the path that was taken (extreme violence) and price paid (lives lost, culture stripped, political and social instability ruling the day) to achieve the post
Yadav may have snubbed the Chinese but the ideological slave of Mao will be paying homage to his master by visiting Mao's grave soon. Even without official invitation from the Chinese, this street dog has volunteered to show up for Olympics closing ceremony. Did someone say 'countervailing' forces acting within our own government? What a joke!
Kalki Devi
And as if on cue,
Today the RNA bristled at the notion that they would be required to be Prachanda's bodyguards. The boys in green along with the opposition parties will have none of it, thank you.
The Fierce One is in for One Fierce rough time getting his egotistical and ideologically challenged plans implemented.
He may head for the trees after all.
-=blogdai
The true faces of members of human right organizations, civil society people and political leaders will be seen in the case of Koshi flood. Whether they will raise the voices for the 100,000 innocent people or not against the mistake of India ?
I think people like Dixit, Pandey Pahadi are seems to be paid peoples of India. They don't talk about Koshi flood case because their master will get angry with them. Similarly, Prachanda is not going oppose India from govt. side for their knowing mistake. Isn't it the abuse of human rights to artificially bring the flood and kill and displace hundred thousand innocent people and damage their properties and their crops. How much India is going to pay the victims of the flood yet to be seen.They made hue cry and got good amount in Bhopal case, how much Nepali people are going to get is the question of today. Where are madhesi parties gone who used to bargain for madhesi rights? Where is Girija and goons who used to sign such agreement in the benefit of India and for the loss of Nepali people.... ?? more...more...
Well, aren't we all happy now that blogdai has returned to Nepal issues.
So, is that it? Do you want to be spoon fed the issues now? Where is the debate? Here, babies, I'll help you with some talking points.
--Prachanda goes to china for the closing ceremonies. Any thoughts on his political plans while there? His motivations? Is he really going to visit Mao's grave? WHo are his Chinese allies?
--Loyal opposition is refusing to budge on Prachanda's demands as P tries to usurpt the second ranked cabinet post for his own. Any thoughts?
--What was meant by the statement released today that .."Nepal will keep China and India at equal distances..."
--Heavy handed Indian support with Hindi being demanded as the second language of Nepal. Will India have a straight shot at Nepal's government now that P is PM?
--Flooding in the south. Rumors abound that India will take over. why so bold now india? Is it because P is at the helm?
Just a few talking points. Now come on people, take an interest in you country for once; not just the foreign aid you receive.
got more data on Everest so we'll go back to that topic shortly if you all continue to exibit your usual political lethargy.
-=blogdai
Already, Nepal is starting to look more and more like a puppet state of China!
I remember seeing pictures of Chinese embassy personnel directing Nepalese Police to arrest Tibetan protesters in Kathmandu in broad daylight. Not only that, the arbitrary detention of people resembling Tibetan monks and nuns from the streets, and the heavy handed response of Nepal police on the Tibetan protesters certainly reinforce my belief that China now has a big influence in Nepal. It was sickening to see TV footage of police viciously beating peaceful protesters including monks,nuns and elders.
I understand Nepal has to play a very fine balancing act not to annoy or piss its giant powerful neighbor, but stooping to such a low level is definitely not the right course. Now that the Maoist has formed the new govt with Prachanda as the new PM, I hope he'll be able to rein in those YCL (his own thugs) and restore some sense of normalcy in Nepal.
Its sad to realize that he reached the hall of power in Kathmandu after so much bloods and violence on the people of Nepal.
Like Mao Tse Tung once said, "power only comes from the barrel of gun", his Chela (Prachanda) surely took that to heart and wrecked so much havoc on this once peaceful nation called Nepal.
Blogdai and his minions:
You are so out of touch. Tell me Blogdai have you actually gone to the villages and talked to people or are you just generalizing? It's certainly true the Maoists have used force and intimidation. However, you cannot deny that they also have a huge base of supporters who genuinely support their cause. Let me tell you that there are millions of villagers who see the Maoists as saviors who bought national attention to their marginalized, oppressed, exploited and demoralized existence!
With regards to calling Prachanda a murder. Well fine but let’s apply that across the broad and tell me who is not a murder in Nepali politics? Gyanendra? Sher Badhur Deuba who orchestrated operation Kilo Seirra in which thousands and thousands of innocent villagers died? Or the entire top brass of the former RNA who were responsible for the murder and torture of thousands? Hell if you want to get technical, by your logic, you would you say that even someone like Nelson Mandela is a murder (read why Mendela went to prison in the first place if you don’t understand that analogy).
Get over it Blogdai. You have made prediction after prediction after prediction and have been proven wrong again and again and again! Quiet frankly the Maoists campaigned very effectively and the people spoke. They are actually way more savvy and smart at politics then the UML or the NC and all that I have seen so far they are doing the right things (reassuring the private sector, talking to international donors etc.) I happen to think the Maoists will make a positive change and take Nepal in the right direction at the very least.
So here is an idea for Blogdai. Why don’t you get together with this clown/tool called Mastiff 59 and channel your energy to continuing your investigation if the Chinese actually climbed to the top of Everest for the torch ceremony and leave political discussion to the rest of us? It will save you a lot of embarrassment.
Bhudai Pundit
Wait 'til they start asset stripping the country - all those nice temples ready to be looted and the proceeds added to the Maoist swiss bank account. Wait 'til they start appointing their own people to positions of power - they'll provoke the army into taking action and then have the army leaders arrested for treason and replace 'em with loyalists of their own...
So it's alright to murder villagers because everyone else did it? I guess blogdai needs to start murdering people in order to get my point across. Hey, it's ok since I can always point fingers at the murderers of the past.
"huge base of support" is questionable and suspect since very few villagers dare speak out against the maoists. When one has no effective government for protection and maoist retalliation towards dissenters in the field is swift and immediate, "support" for the Maoist "cause" may be the only thing one can effectively measure.
Here's a better test: Ask a Maoist in one of those rural hotbeds of "support" how many villagers he's helped out of poverty, how many jobs he's created, how many children he's educated and you'll get a blank stare. Now, ask the same maoist how many donations, free meals and villagers he's forced into attending rallies at the point of a gun and I'm sure you'd get a lot of answers.
What kind of "support" does one get when they need guns to enforce it?
bhudai your shit is tired. Do something other than crappy unsubstantiated contrarian bitching please. Your comments are often reactonary and bitter.
We're all a little tired of it.
-=blogdai
It is the sad logic of a hopeless quitter to imply that Nepali politics has always involved murder and therefore we should just let it be.
Perhaps we should just legalize murder for all those seeking political office?
-=BD
Firstly to Anon:
“Wait 'til they start asset stripping the country - all those nice temples ready to be looted and the proceeds added to the Maoist swiss bank account.”
You must be really new to Nepali politics. But let me refresh your memory: the Royal family (Gyanendra and Queen Ashwariya in particular) were in the business of dealing with stolen temple statues. They made millions of rupees selling precious artifacts and statues from Nepal so let’s not even go there because the Maoists actually haven’t done anything of the sort and therefore our whole line of argument would be nothing but stupid, hollow, unsubstantiated speculation (much like the website Blogdai runs here).
To Blogdai:
“bhudai your shit is tired. Do something other than crappy unsubstantiated contrarian bitching please.”
Eh? Really? I guess it’s a question of perspective because that is exactly how I see your writing/views etc. By the way how is the whole Chinese Everest hoax investigation going along? Has Reuters picked up the story? Hehe anyway let’s get down to business.
You always seemed like an intelligent enough guy but you are now just twisting and clouding my arguments with nonsense arguments. You remind me of these hardcore evangelical preachers in the deep American south – just very stubborn and narrow minded.
The Maoists were engaged in an ideological struggle for the past decade. Granted there were many many evils that came from their movement it also awakened our national consciousness about the state of our country for the majority of the people who were treated like 3rd class citizens. Look at history Blogdai and tell me where you see a revolution that has come about without violence and upheaval. Look at Ireland and how Gerry Adams walks around like a legitimate political leader when I don’t think what he and the IRA did was any less evil than the Maoists. So Nepal now has a choice. Should we move on to re-building the country or should we get stuck in the past and start prosecuting all the guilty individuals? If you choose the later that’s fine but lets be consistent! You call Prachanda a murder but what about the other people I mentioned in my above argument – Gyanendra, Sher Badhur Deuba, former RNA generals and other former RNA officers etc.? The Maoists have joined mainstream politics. There is a recent study by a big think tank in the US which, after hundreds of studies, shows that the only way to end a civil war is to bring the parties into mainstream politics. We are lucky this has happened. Look at Sri Lanka and be thankful, you pigheaded moron, that we are not in a similar situation.
Okay now let’s move on to support. I highly doubt you have actually been to these rural parts of Nepal and talked to villagers and dalits etc. You are inferring what they would most likely say given your understanding of the situation by sitting in some wifi café in the US or Europe sipping your latte and blogging away. Well you are not entirely incorrect however. There are people who have been intimidated by the Maoists and shop keepers who have been forced to feed the forced to pay these ridiculous kangaroo taxes. On a side note these same shop keepers are equally (if not more) angry to the RNA since they had to feed and shelter them as well. But let me tell you for a fact Blogdai (and you can go out to villages someday and see for yourself) the Maoists do have a base! There are millions of villagers who genuinely believe the Maoists will do something for them because no one till this point has. Maybe it’s naïve but, even if it’s just ideology, people have pinned their hopes on the Maoists and that’s why there is support! They want change and the millions of people are tired of seeing the same faces again and again. If you don’t believe me look at the elections and see the margin of victory by which the Maoists won was simply incredible!
Now I assume you are going to cry/whine and say the elections weren’t fair etc. Save it! There were international observers and they didn’t say a word. All the other political parties had cadres everywhere and there wasn’t a case of rigging or voter intimidation anywhere to a large scale. I am not saying the elections were perfect but it was legitimate enough and the Maoists won. Hell which country has perfect elections?
“Do something other than crappy unsubstantiated contrarian bitching please. Your comments are often reactonary and bitter. We're all a little tired of it.”
We’re all tired of it? Who is we? The 5 other people that visit this website? If it wasn’t for me you and your 3 other minions would be sitting around regurgitating the same point of view and making yourself feel better. And you wonder why dictators (like the Chinese) don’t like dissent or conflicting opinions!!
Bhudai Pundit
Once upon a time there were huge supporters of Saddam, there were huge supporters of Hitler, there were huge supporters of Taliban, there were huge supporters of Pol pot....don't forget that scenario also...
The history will tell that Mr. Dixit, Mr. Pandey and Mr. Pahadi are also supporters of Prachanda...they, what they think intellecutals, are the one responsible to bring maoist in the power in 21st century and they will be known as lower level puppet agent of India...
Hey Bhudai, don't be too bitter. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions like yours, and we respect that despite our differences.
Throwing personal insults at others during discussions only makes you look like a fool in front of the whole netizens.
For your information, I have been to villages in Nepal, and personally came into contact with those villagers who got displaced during the Maoist insurgency. So don't try to insinuate that we don't know the ground realities.
Only time will tell whether this commie stooge will save Nepal or ruin it forever.
Mastiff_59:
My apologies. I did not mean to get personal. Just lost my cool for a second.
Yes thousands were displaced during the insurgency but they are gradually finding their way back now. I was simply annoyed at how Blogdai thinks he/she is the Oracle and knows everything. As if someone appointed him as the official mouthpiece for rural Nepalese.
Sick of your crap Bhudai,
Just shut it. This is an online blog and no one knows who has been to the rural areas of Nepal and who has not. You ask others not to assume but your comments are full of assumption. What you see as blatant assumption by others are actually calculated ones based on logic and recent history. I remember you back then, when you said even Nepali Congress should be given benifit of doubt when so many of us were saying, GPK must go. You can not base the future of an entire country on hope.
I agree that we are not at war at the moment and in a way are better off than we were when Sher Bdr Deuba announced the war against the Maoists. But an absolute lack of law and order in the nation leaves a lot to be desired and in so many ways it feels worse than when at war.
Nepal has a long way to go (hopefully) and so does our peace process. I do agree that the PM and the president or other ministers today are forced to prove their nationlist credentials. This might be good for the nation. However, if we use logic and the recent history, we know the moaists are not going to change. The MRF (MPRF) are not any better (if not worse) than Nepali congress. They have Mr. Gachedar as a minister for christ's sake. If look at the what is actually happening in this country it is really difficult to be optimistic. You can not be positive just by thinking positive. There has to be a logic behind it. A process may be. If you do positive things, you will start seeing positive results and only then you will have a positive thinking. You can not just skip to positive thinking sorry.
B
Everyone is sooooo serious here. I read Blogdai for the hillarious captions put on the pictures.
This one of Prachanda is the best yet, I almost pissed myself!
"This might be good for the nation. However, if we use logic and the recent history, we know the moaists are not going to change."
Eh? Eh? Did you just come out of a cave? Are you like Bhuddha Boy or something? Is that what B stands for?
Look at the Maoists today and give them some credit. They aboolished the Monarchy in a civil way. In fact they are still letting Gyanendra live in a palace. Today Prachanda has announced he will not take any action against general Kutwal. The Maoists have gone out of their way to reassure the donors, business community etc. that they do not hold the traditional communist ideology. Frankly they have played all the right cards. Will they walk the walk? We don't know but they are at least talking the talk! They are at least talking about the need for an economic revolution in Nepal. Which other worhtless political party says that much?
For the record I have never been a fan of the congress or Girija BUT as much as I loath the man he did (successfully) initiate and broker the peace process. He did bring the Maoists into the mainstream and for that he deserves credit (if for nothing else).
And of course Nepal has a long way to go. But we gota to start somewhere right?
Bhudai Pundit
You've been a weak-kneed Maoist sympathizer since day 1, bhudai. You're way out of whack again.
"they abolished the Monarchy." Who said that was ever necessary. Abolish Paras? Sure, but it was never the monarchy that was the problem. People just hated Gyenendra. Would you be so happy to abolish a Birendra monarchy, rest his soul? they got their sham government back from G and that's all they did. Abolish the monarchy, shit. G left the palace. Who was going to throw him out? The RNA was and is still loyal. Storm the palace and risk civil war? Fool. gyanendra left, plain and simple for the "betterment and democratic process of the country." Oh, what a despot he was in saying that. Much worse than a Charles Taylor or that junta of idiots in Burma, right?
"Reassure business?" That must be a comforting thought since all Prachanda has ever done was use thugs to coerce businesses into his extortionist labor union rackets. Ask any large employer how hard it is to get people to show up for work now that they've joined the Maoist "labor unions." Yes, I'm sure the business community is quite reassured. Look, idiot, if you come to power through violence and coercion, how credible can a complete 180 degree turn towards business cooperation be?
Maoists had one famous chance a few years ago. They tried to broker a business contract that wound up being so muddled and full of corruption that they gave up and awarded the contract to the pro-maoist contractor. Is that your "business revolution?" Show me anyone in Prachanda's circle that has even a whiff of experience in the coordination and development of a National economic plan.
Anytime you use the words Girija and Peace agreement in the same sentence, easily substitute the words "peace agreement" for "power grab" and you'll get a more accurate picture of girija's intentions. The old man couldn't dislodge G. from his hold on government, so he made a deal with the devil that backfired, period. Yes, Girija was so happy to bring the Maoists into the "mainstream" that for months he refused to give up the Prime Ministership after losing government confidence. Guess he wanted to stick around and watch his new mainstream Maoist baby flourish in Nepal's political system. Prachanda was even more sly. He took the alliance with Girija as an avenue to the halls of power. Mainstream? Did you ever once hear Prachanda renounce his communist idealism and plans for Nepal? did you ever hear him compromise? Thank god Prachanda's murderingbrand of communism is not the "traditional" brand as you say. I'd hate to see us all working together on collective farms.
B is right because the weight and measure of past performance supports B's view: Not only will the Maoists never change, they have never given one hint that they'll even compromise. A good and astute reader of past blogdai columns would have realized this by now.
-=blogdai
A good and astute reader of Blogdai posts would have realized just what an idiotic, patronizing, self-loathing, narrow minded blogger this mysterious Blogdai is. Plus even if the reader was not astute (i.e. if he had the reading comprehension of a chimp – he/she would see for themselves just how WRONG and INACCURATE Blogdai’s prediction and analysis has CONSISTENTLY turned out to be). Don’t believe me? Take a few moments to cruise this website and read some of Blogdai’s wisdom. I have had enough quiet frankly! I think Blogdai is Karl Rove’s illegitimate child and it’s about time someone gave him a good spanking.
Don’t worry get some rest for now. I’ll come back tomorrow and give you a sound trashing on the flimsy arguments you have put forth. In the mean time go outside and try get a breath of fresh air.
A shallow faith it must be: that which can be shattered by mere percentages.
-=BD
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea themselves considered as a democratic nation, but clearly it is exactly the opposite. The same thing with Laos which is Lao People's Democratic Republic. The federal republic of Nepal may be in the same line.The maoist of Nepal is successful to fool the democratic parties and the people.
Lots of totalitarian countries employ fake elections and other tactics to show themselves democratic.
Holding Blogdai up to some standard as a kind of oracle misses the point entirely. Blogdai, as do all analysts, make predictions based educated speculation. The value of such predictions lies in the debate and conversations they start here in this space.
How tragic and sad it is if you base the readability of something on its accuracy. Your frustration is palpable, unjustified and psychologically questionable.
Blogdai has kept us informed and entertained for years now. Read what you will...glean what you can...and chalk the rest up to blog chatter. I've never heard Blogdai issue any guarantees so get over it.
Allison-UK
It’s perfectly okay to make an educated speculation so long as you admit that’s it’s an educated speculation and then once you realize you are WRONG (as is the case with Blogdai approx 95% of the time) you should modify your viewpoint/perspective based on new information and proceed accordingly. Clearly that’s not the case here.
I totally agree that Blogdai has kept us entertained. I certainly am not going to take that away from him. Informed? I don’t think so. If you are basing your news of Nepal on Blogdai’s blog then I find you psychologically questionable.
“I've never heard Blogdai issue any guarantees so get over it”
Really? I am always amazed at people who like to embarrass themselves unnecessarily. Do you really want me to quote Blogdai and make that statement and you look ridiculous?
Anyway I am done with you, let me get back to addressing Blogdai concerns from above.
Blogdai says:
"they abolished the Monarchy." Who said that was ever necessary.
“gyanendra left, plain and simple for the "betterment and democratic process of the country."
Who said that was necessary? Hmmmm let’s see….. the PEOPLE!!!! I personally wouldn’t care if the Monarchy was still existent but the vast majority of Nepalese (within and outside of Nepal) wanted the abolishment of the Monarchy – get that in your thick head. You are totally out of touch if you think otherwise. Birendra looked/appeared like a good Monarch because the post 1990 era was chaotic and people looked back and felt the pre-1990 ear was relatively more stable and quiet. That being said that stability was an illusion. Monarchs in Nepal have never looked out for the welfare of it’s people. The corruption and abuse of power was rampant and shameful during the panchayat days. The only difference between the panchayat days and the post panchayat days was that in the post panchayat days more people were in on it and it was openly discussed and bought to light. You are so naïve and stupid. Gyanendra and the late Queen Ash were nothing less then thugs! But it was all coved with this Royal façade and all that corruption just looked more classy. But all in all the Monachy in Nepal have never really had the kind of respect like say in Thailand. They have always aroused suspicion and ill-will (and quite rightly so). Not to mention they have always been meddlesome and exploitative. Besides I don’t see the relevance of having a Monachy anymore. The institution has lost it’s relavence. As for your second point I am not even going to respond to something as ludicrous and moronic as that. You know Blogdai there are people 3 people in Nepal who believe that statement – you, Kamal Thapa and Tulsi Giri. When so many people say otherwise doesn’t it make you question your belief at least? I have come across these pro-communist folks and you should hear them talk about Prachanda. I just realize that with a statement like that you are just like those people on the other end of the spectrum the only difference being you have a blog.
Anyway I am running out of time right now. I’ll get to your other points later. Chew on this for the time being.
BP
I let this post stand because it vividly illustrates the fundamental disconnect of those Indians/Nepalis/Whomevers who portend intellectual erudition, yet fail to retain or comprehend anything they've read. They are content to look for a platform from which the drumbeat of their unwavering stubborness can be displayed. blogdai will not be such a platform.
No one ever called for the abolishment of the Monarchy under Birendra. "The People" as you say, were never quoted and never consulted by the SPAM alliance as they took to the streets. Abolishing the monarchy was the simplistic rallying vehicle used by Girija and Prachanda to unify their disparate camps long enough for their farce Jana Andolan to take hold.
A NepaliTimes survey taken during that era asked the question (paraphrasing) "Who is most responsible for the chaos in Nepal now?" turned in an over 50% response that cited the political parties as the main obstacles. G. was considered responsible by only 12% of respondents.
As always, you speculate and cite no sources. I can do that too. Virtually everyone I've talked to in the civilian, governmental and business sectors has told me that it was not the Monarchy that needed to be abolished (God, I've said this about 100 times) but the current monarch; meaning G. No one likes G. and everyone hates Paras; but abolish the monarchy itself? Again, it was a mere political tool. Ask yourself, when have Nepalis ever banded together to abolish anything on a national level? If there was such a seething hatred for all things Royal among average citizens, where were the cries of "abolish the monarchy" back in the Panchayat and Rana days when conditions were much worse? How come Nepal's greatest democratic mind, BP Koirala never called for it or took to the streets demanding it? He helped form a great and relevant Nepal Constitution that left the Monarchy in tact. Why did he do that, especially during a time when the memories of atrocities under Panchayat rule were more vivid in everyone's mind?
Anyway you've had your say and this has gone on long enough. I'm not going to play this ridiculous game of he-said, she-said again.
Make a point--preferably without all the hysterics-- or get out of the way.
-=blogdai
That never made sense to me either B'dai. The parties got their damn government control back and presumably, they were free to fleece the public once again at will, but all they could think about was throwing out the king. What's the point? Win the war, take the spoils and the first thing you want to do is kill the defeated?
Fair enough. Let me make points without being distracted.
Blogdai, there were people who fought for the abolishment of the Monarchy long long ago. This statement of yours clearly illustrates that you have absolutely no background on Nepali’s political history. Do you not know anything about Tanka Prasad Acharya, Ram Hari Sharma, Ganesh Man Singh etc. and how they started a democratic movement against the autocratic Rana/Shah regime long ago? You ask if Nepalese have ever banded together on a national level but when you have such an autocratic and oppressed state for so long how would you expect Nepalese to develop that kind of social consciousness? Don’t forget the way the state was structured (with a Hindu constitution) it pitted people against each other creating this middle ages feudal society. Despite all that, there was a democratic movement from the 60s that wanted to abolish the Monarchy and the Ranas grip on power. Furthermore to answer your question, look at how people banded together to tell Birendra to step down in 1990. Nepalese people are overly forgiving and meek and that’s why at that point it was too inconceivable to demand the complete abolishment of the institution. It wasn’t because people loved Birendra or the institution of Monarchy. They are so brain washed for so long this idea would too wild to entertain.
BP Koirala was looking to compromise. Had he demanded such a thing he would be been thrown back to jail. I don’t understand how you are using such flimsy arguments. Do you not know anything about history?
I agree it was a political tool used by the Maoists to appeal to their base. You ask why they did it but I ask why not? You don’t say what is the value of having a Monarchy. I don’t see the relevance.
Maybe we are not any better without the Monarchy but we sure as hell weren’t better off with it.
In fact I see the abolishment as the abolishment of an old feudalistic institution that represents the dark ages for the vast majority of the Nepalese people. If nothing it was an important symbolic step.
Agree to an extent. If we can now call the abolition of the monarchy a political tool then what exactly was the "people's" voice and how can we claim that "the people" demanded an end to the monarchy?
Symbolism? In a country with Madhesi violence, and areas of critical poverty and infrastructure inadequacy, does it not strike you as odd that the first and most singular focus of a new government is to get rid of a symbol? It can be argued that the modern Monarchy in Nepal the least despotic and the least powerful that it has ever been.
Nothing demonstrated a blind power grab more than Girija's obsession with eliminating G. Does the voice of the "people" let the people starve in order to prioritize the removal of, what amounts to, the mere aesthetics associated with a monarch?
Got news for you, G. could have jailed GP as easily as any other leader in the past. If you'll remember, G. was sending out signals to that effect by house arresting Makune and throwing others in jail for a few days at a time. G. was a bad king simply for not smacking down those spoiled political brats hard enough.
You do realized that by characterizing Nepalis as brainwashed, overly forgiving and meek that you've contradicted you argument that "the people" demanded the removal of the monarchy, don't you? You've basically restated my assertion that nepalis have never banded together to abolish anything on a national level. Social upheaval is just not in our make-up. thanks for the amen to that.
At this point in history, the only symbol the monarchy in Nepal represented was Nepal itself. It was a link to history, good or bad, that all Nepalis could relate to. Divide and conquer thought Girija and Prachanda. What better way to do it than to eliminate the only symbolic thread that united all Nepalis.
-=blogdai
I too agree to a certain extent.
We can call it the people’s voice because that is the prevailing sentiment in Nepal. You have to admit that there is only a very small minority that thinks the abolishment of the Monarchy was a bad decision. Not only can you see this sentiment in the streets (and by streets I mean talking to many average folks like taxi drivers, shop keepers) but even it’s the sentiment within civil society as well as Nepalese living aboard. I have only come across a very few people that voice discontent with the abolishment of the Monarchy. And these people all have similar background – either they are religious zealots, they have affiliation with the army or they were prominent during the panchayat days and their families benefited greatly with their close association with the Royals. And this makes sense because the Monarchy and the institution of Monarchy didn’t really add any value to the lives of so many. In fact I don’t think I have ever heard a prominent Nepali intellectual voice opposition to the abolishment of the Monarchy.
Also you say that SPAM used this as a political tool. If this is was not the prevailing sentiment how could they / why would they use this a political tool?
“Symbolism? In a country with Madhesi violence, and areas of critical poverty and infrastructure inadequacy, does it not strike you as odd that the first and most singular focus of a new government is to get rid of a symbol?”
It doesn’t strike me as odd at all. It’s politics! Politicians have to appeal to their base. One of the Maoist’s platform was to abolish the Monarchy and make Nepal into a republic – their entire ideology was essentially based on putting an end to the feudalism that had plagued Nepal for centuries and the Monarchy was the ultimate symbol of that. So of course this was the first thing they were going to do.
“You do realized that by characterizing Nepalis as brainwashed, overly forgiving and meek that you've contradicted you argument that "the people" demanded the removal of the monarchy, don't you? You've basically restated my assertion that nepalis have never banded together to abolish anything on a national level. Social upheaval is just not in our make-up. thanks for the amen to that.”
Nepalis WERE brainwashed, overly forgiving and meek. I think a lot has changed now. People are no longer as passive as they once were. People are now more aware of their rights and have become far more demanding and I credit this to the Maoist movement. Until the Maoists came the kind of political and social activism was absent in Nepalese society. Also you say there we haven’t banded together on a national level to abolish anything. Not necessarily true. In 1990 people banded together on a national level to end absolute Monarchy. In 2006 people banded together and fought against G’s takeover.
“It was a link to history, good or bad, that all Nepalis could relate to.”
You see your perspective is very skewed here. The elites (particularly the KTM elites) can relate to the Monarchy but the vast majority of the people can’t. To them the Monarchy is a reminder of very dark times - and that’s where you are missing the boat – you are looking through the eyes of KTM elites. Look the Monarchy is a part of Nepal’s history no denying that. And I disagree with these people destroying statues of old kings etc. But it’s not wrong to put an end to that part of history and move on. We have closed a chapter in the history of Nepal and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
I do not accept the premise that the vast majority of people wanted to abolish the monarchy. What is vast and how can you prove it? Shopkeepers in the far hills maintain a picture of the royal family on the wall of their business at all times. The only sign of rebellion I've seen has been to keep an image of Birendra on the wall rather than one of G.
Maoists have no political base. Theirs is an unwavering ideology. How can you justify saying the Maoists will form a "republic" when just yesterday, Prachanda proclaims in an interview that he has “No Illusion On The Ultimate Goal Of Socialist Communism” Let's see then, If our goal is Socialist Communism, whatever that is, somewhere in your mind that is full of naive hope you will have some form of republican representation as well? What's the point of elections? What's the point of a dissenting view when Prachanda keeps focusing on his Communist utopia.
I don't know how you've come up with some of these assumptions other than to say you've got a singular, immobile bias toward the Maoists and against the king. Has Prachanda EVER stated his ultimate goal to be anything other than a Communist state? And yet, at this late hour you still await his "republic."
I won't go too far into you self-contradictory paragraph where you state the monarch represents "dark times" yet you don't want statues of old kings removed (don't they represent even darker times?) other than to ask what it is that meet your dissapproval in the destruction of old statues? I'll tell you exactly what it is, it is your sense of history. It is your sense that all Nepalis suffered together through these old kings; it is Nepali culture and a unifying bond. Do we seek to get even with our past by eliminating the monarchy? Is revenge the way to national unity? Is it progress? No, a society built on revenge is no society at all. Your much touted over-forgiving Nepali nature would rather see the monarchy progress towards its rightful place as a national symbol that to sweep it away entirely. Only Girija held such a vindictive streak.
Any try again with you taxi driver interview. You'll find that there was and is much suspicion with G. and Paras and that they would be better off leaving Nepal or stepping down as monarchs. NOT the wholesale removal of the monarchy. In and of itself, it has no meaning, it heals no wounds, it restores no confidence in government and it does not do a damn thing for National unity.
The strongest voices I've heard from taxi drivers is that G. should abdicate in favor of his grandson. Now I know you've heard that one. The "vast majority" of Nepalis favored a good house cleaning of the royal family, not total elimination.
If you'll remember during Jana Andolan, the initial rallying cry was "restore democracy." Seeing that such a cry had no effect, Girija played on those very suspicions most Nepalis held against G. after the massacre. A lot of resentment remained. The tail wagged the dog, it was not some mass vox populi, but rather the politically motivated manipulation of public sentiment into street theater.
It does not take a great leap of faith to see events in this light, just a willingness to think beyond one's biases.
-=blogdai
Well I don’t except your premise that Nepalese are secretly nostalgic for the institution of Monarchy. Sounds a little ridiculous. Your argument, my friend, is very flimsy. The shopkeepers in rural Nepal, like most rural Nepalese, are the victim of this ridiculous myth that the King is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Those hundreds of villagers who would line up the streets and worship the ground the King walked on are poor gullible simpletons who the Monarchy exploited and kept in the dark. Do you not see something inherently wrong with this God-like image the Royals propagated? And what did the Monarchy really do for these people? Your fundamental premise is that the Monarchy is the only thing that binds Nepalese people. I think that is not correct. By your logic any country with a diverse ethnic background would disintegrate.
My comment about the statues is not self-contradictory. Even though the Monarchy is now abolished you can’t change history or pretend it didn’t happen. The Italians aren’t demolishing the coliseum are they? It’s part of history and just because it was a dark time doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge it or teach it to students.
Look Prachanda says things to keep a certain base of his happy. However, what the Maoists have done so far does not reinforce your suspicions. They have gone out of their way to convince the NC and all the other political parties to form a coalition government. They have gone out of their way to meet and reassure the business community of their commitment to free market economics. They have repeatedly said again and again of the importance of public-private cooperation. The Maoists, particularly their leadership, is very smart. Don’t forget that both Baburam and Prachanda are more educated than any other political leader in Nepal! Madav Nepal said a few years ago that we should see electricity to China via email. I am also pretty impressed of how they have handled the latest Kosi embankment disaster. Maoists are capable of making good social, economic progress. Look at West Bengal as a model. What in your opinion should they have done or do currently?
I don’t have a bias against the Monarchy per se. However, for the country as a whole I don’t see why we should have it and I certainly don’t see us being worse off without it. It doesn’t add any value. You yourself have not come up with any tangible reason, except the uniting thread argument, to have the Monarchy. It’s also not revenge. It’s simply a time to close the chapter, acknowledge the past mistakes and move on. End of story.
Finally let me ask you this. Where is the opposition to the abolishment of the Monarchy? Why isn’t anyone saying anything if you believe that’s what the people actually want. Why did people so overwhelmingly vote Maoists? All the political parties changed their party platform to remove the Monarchy. Fine this was a political move but if it was unpopular with the people why would the parties have done that? Where is one editorial or one intellectual or prominent person in Nepal that has voiced an opposition to the abolishment of the Monarchy. Just look at all the blogs on the internet. Besides yourself please direct me to another blog that shares your political sentiment.
There is no official poll but the hundreds of Nepalese I have come across have all consistently agreed that the abolishment of that institution is a good positive step forward for Nepal. The few that have voiced discount are from that demographic I described earlier. Not sure who you are talking to.
Anonymous 8.50
Either you are foolish or you know nothing about this dramatic quick changes of Nepal. People had not demanded secular state, people had not demanded to distribute citizenship immeidiately in madhes, people had not demanded to provide shelter and arms to maoist from the very begining. Even people and democratic forces had not demanded the republic at the initial phase and even during Janaandolan - 2. Its all came certainly with back force. Do you think the madhesi were demanding "one madhes one pradesh" and involvement of madhesi people in NA in bulk during Janaandolan-2? No my dear...
If you see the history from maoist insurgency/palace massacre to till now. You will find whole grand design behind it. Even removal of Girija and his families from politics is a grand design to bring another force in Nepali politics. Whether you trust or not, tomorrow in the name of madhesi, bihari people are going to rule Nepal. For example, Parmananda Jha is belong to Darbhanga and his brother still own cycle shop there. How come he certainly Vice President of Nepal within one night ??? We don't get surprised if Upendra Yadav will become next PM of Nepal after some time. I am a very neutral in politics and I just like to ask you what good things Nepal got after abolishing the monarchy ??? The same questioned are being asked in Afghanistan etc. countries...
You know, simply repeating your position over and over and over again doesn't increase its credibility. You are stuck like a broken record. Did you just gloss over the argument about maoist labor unions that was made earlier?
Do you not see, again (and again, and again) yet another self-contradictory remark you've made? Yes, a Nepali king is deified in the hills; they have been for centuries. Doesn't that make it all the more improbable that in one brief cycle, all the "people" of nepal would put aside their rural beliefs and throw Lord Vishnu out of the palace?
Yours is the type of infinite trust in Prachanda and Maoism that will have Nepal seeing red as a Communist oligarchy sooner rather than later. Crafty and smart? I'll give Prachanda that. He's played Girijas ego and hubris out to a tee. Babu Ram can call himself doctor or Jesus for that matter, but nothing but babbling ideological foolishness ever comes out of his mouth. English practice, pure English practice. Being polysyllabic only impresses the easily impressionable.
If you could step outside you bias and cease this ridiculous drumbeat insistence of yours the "hundreds" of people you've talked to might sing a different tune like:
--G. had to go, NOT the entire monarchy
--We listen to the Maoists because we are afraid of the Maoists. Decades of torture and murder plus property seizures (that have not been returned) and forced, barbaric labor union violence has shown us all we need to know. See a pattern here? Maoists don't change, period.
If you fail to account for the weight of this historical pattern and insist on trusting the Maoists to fulfill some farcical dream of a republic; why can you not do the same for the monarchy? Forget the bad deeds of the past and let the King be?
Self-contradictory and duplicitous. Are you from Delhi?
-=blogdai
I fell the writing is not comprehensive. It mocks one side and doesn't support another. I do not have a sound knowledge in politics, neither do I blindly support any political faction. I give my support of doubt to Maoists, comprehending the other political groups. The elitist view of city dwellers cannot justify the pains of the have-nots. If you deride maoist revolution so much, what do you see as an option? Girija, Other parties? we've seen them. Just being communist doens't mean the same anymore. If they bring some change, it will benifit the country. I am a pacifist, but sometimes the benifit of doubt has to go to opposite ideologies. One cannot just mock or ridicule some factions, cannot just react, if he cannot act. I would appreciate if someone would come up with newer ideals and belifs for the country's welfare. But unless, cynacism doesn't help.
Agreed and there are no apparent new political philosophies, much less leaders, on Nepal's political horizon. Perhaps it is the Madhesis turn as it seems that no one will ever challenge any political movement on its merits, crimes, policies or validity.
It is why blogdai was almost a Maoist for a few hours. Remember our column that said Prachanda should get our thanks, at the very least, for removing Girija.
Unfortunately, the nest has now been fouled. Nepalis see that the only way towards gaining anything close to a political voice is through the barrel of a gun and the thrust of a large, loud, violent political movement.
How sad. How primitive and how far we must travel to be looked upon as a legitimate nation.
-=blogdai
"Just being communist doens't mean the same anymore. If they bring some change, it will benifit the country."
Fair enough. Prachanda HAS brought change in many ways. Most gratefully, he's eliminated, for the most part, that idiotic political faction that has paralyzed Nepal since 1991. blogdai is ecstatic over this (Read: blogdai "The Temporary Maoist" below. Really, please do the background research if you doubt my sincerity in this regard)
But we must ask ourselves what kind of Communism would we all get? Is is a new kind as you imply? Patterns in Nepal over the last decade suggest otherwise. Prachanda and his ilk are a violent bunch and he's based his thuggery on Mao's "Great Leap Forward" which imprisoned intellectuals and killed tens of thousands.
No one disagrees with change in Nepal and it almost seemed impossible to dislodge Girija from power. I wrote ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO in regards to Prachanda that is "takes a rat to eliminate a rat." Well, all the rats are bloody now and it's time to actually govern Nepal.
Prachanda and his outdated ideology can't do it. Maoists were merely the weapon of change.
Constantly hoping for a positive outcome while turning a blind eye towards maoist atrocities gives Prachanda a blank check. Nepalis are push overs. Where's the balance that's achieved when you have a healthy, critical media and a concerned and engaged populace?
-=blogdai
Nepalese WERE passive. Things are different now. The populace doesn't take crap anymore. Standing up for rights and demanding accountability is a new concept for the Nepalese people. Currently it's in a primitive phase and it manifests itself with just street protest and violence. Even in a country like France it's a common phenomenon it’s going to take a while for the Nepalese populace to evolve and understand the true meaning of democracy.
Nepal has started to enter into democracy since 60 years and still immature means something wrong with the leaders.
Misusing the youth force cannot bring the mature democracy. If it goes like this, it will take another 100 years to enjoy the real democracy. It is autocracy within the democracy.
We Nepali got we had demanded to change "New Nepal". We got gang fight, we got division among the people, we got bihari rule, we got lawlessness, we got country in collapse stage, we got indianisation, we got title of hot spot for poverty and hunger equivalent to Ethopia, Somalia etc..etc..
I think that G is going to make a return to power in the next few months!
The army is still kissing his ass, they are just waiting for the maoist to hang themselves.
Then the selfless king who gave up the throne for the good of the people will come to the rescue!
Mark my words nepal is going to be a Kingdom very soon.
blogdai agrees and has a better-than-intuitive sense that the King is not done, as well.
The problem is, G. is an absolute disaster as head of government. He is best utilized as a 3rd branch, if you will, of government. A much needed check and a balancing voice against Prachanda and the newly egotistically oligarchic rantings of Girija (god, will this man just die, please?)
But, then again, could G. do any worse than the squabbling idiots that STILL vie for power in Nepal? At least G. won't feel the need to sabotage every government meeting in order to insure his power, right?
-=blogdazedbyfools
Yep I see it too. G will make a come back. I mean I feel as if Nepal is about to disintegrate without Gyanendra and the holy institution of the Monarchy. These past few months have been absolutely disastrous and our country has faced the prospect of disintegration and disaster. I think the average Nepali feels it too. In fact we are all hoping in our hearts that the Monarchy will be re-instated and Nepal will once again be the glorious Hindu Kingdom it once was. I guarantee you that King Gyanendra is sitting in his temporary home and hatching up a great scheme to come back and take over. So what if the country’s sentiments have changed regarding the Monarchy. They don’t know what’s right for them. And all those millions of Nepalese who feel no real affiliation to the Monarchy and who whine and claim that they were in a way forced and misled to accept the Royal authority and look that the King and the institution of Monarchy as god-like can shut their traps. What they don’t realize is just how selfless the Nepalese Monarchs have been. These peasants might think the Royals were living lavish lives while exploiting them but little do they realize that Monarchy’s had their best interest at heart. I mean look how they developed Nepal. And yes a third branch! That’s what we need – a non partisan, non meddlesome institution that doesn’t seek to undermine the democratic system... and that’s where the institution of Monarchy comes in. Look at its track record and you will see the institution of Monarchy is exactly fitted for that role.
Wake up Nepal and Nepalese people.
-blog bhai
Now civil servants are being target of the youth forces of different parties and criminal gangs of terai.
For their betterment, there is no choice but they should have to give something to ministers and their followers. For that they have to to hanky panky. In result the same ministers' parties youth force beat them.
Even civil servants are not safe now like businessmen and professionals like doctors.
I was stopped by UML students and asked to fork Rs. 500 for their convention expenses or they would vandalize my car. Now call it whatever, I felt deprived of my right as a common citizen but found solace by cursing advent of new Nepal. Where are you Bhudai? Come down here and taste the test.
Nepal is hung, drawn and quatered by India and no one seems to care. Maoist, UML or Girja bhaun all played the part in compromising sovereignty of Nepal with clowns Dixits, Phahadi& Pandeys who did their traitors act on hand-outs recieved from their masters across seas and border under guise of civil society.
Unless you counter and assert- this nation will be forever gone, forget your two cents analysis and opinions. It don't matter.
You talk about Tibetains, very shortly we all gonna be the same. Citizens without a country.
Now cultural revolution started in Kathmandu by attacking newari great festival Indra jatra.
G should comeback...
blogdai an update on your blog is due!
i second davinci. we don't comment doesn't mean that you are not not being read
thanks to all for the love and the shout out.
blogdai is working with a young correspondent from Yale University. blogdai enabled this gentleman to get an interview with King G. just days before he abdicated the throne.
Haven't seen the story anywhere so I thought we'd give the interview here.
Jerry Guo, where are you? Anyone know Jerry Guo, tell him blogdai is looking for him.
-=blogdai
Are we finally realising that the Maoists aren't interested in democracy - they're in power and nothing will shift them now. The new alcohol control laws will give them an excuse to arrest anyone they want to and fabricate the evidence. Once they're 'integrated' into the army, no one will be able to get rid of them. Maoist indoctrination will be compulsory in schools.. read your history books, folks, there's trouble ahead... long live the glorious peoples republic
Yes, where have you been, dear poster? The whole point of blogdai lies in the procuring of opinions like yours.
It gives blogdai strength to finally (!) hear a good legitimate critical voice.
Isn't this the essence of democracy? Nepalis not only have the right to voice a dissenting opinion, they have a DUTY to do so.
blogdai is tearfully encouraged that, after years of prodding, the seed of critical thought is sown.
Lord Pashupati bless you and may he encourage others towards the same type of commentary.
-=blogdai (a bit vladimir tonight)
Welcome to South Tibet..
what in god's name are you talking about, Governor Palin?
-=BD
Having read the whole thread. I've got to say mr. Blogdai you are intent on proving your point at the cost of nation's downfall. And that's what is wrong with our unfortunate Nepal. I'm a free nationalist, not congress not communist nor maoist. I for one always thought monarchy was never an option in Nepal after 90's revolution. Yes, there are a many people in remote villages who still hangs royal's picture by the wall, but hey there are still people who believe earth is flat. I was sad to see the barbaric side of maoist during decade of conflict. I still condemn the extent of violence they used. But since they have come to power, I have to admit I praise their positive attitude. They at least have initiated with plans of dozen projects. call for external commercial bodies. They recognize the potential of nepalese economy. I don't think there will be 100% corruption free Nepal. Neither do I think it would be crime-free. I assume most of my fellow citizens of Nepal and ones living abroad, like myself wants stable Nepal at least creeping towards development if not running or marching. But for last decade and more we've seen many different people come to power and done nothing except pushing it back. There was not as much of finger lifting. Girija was Prime minister for so long and yet if anyone can point to anything he has done for betterment of Nepal. Now this biggest cancer cell of Nepal is trying so hard to bring down the government which has at least got some promising which I won't know if they can fulfill with traitors like Girija are around. I am not a political person and don't know much about ideology but I know If my country can blossom in dictatorship I am ready to work as a slave for another 10 yrs. untill we have our own feet to stand on, we don't have to rely on aid from every single country. What was wrong was wrong but we should stand by someone who is trying to get the foot right for development. Some might take you through super highway, some through rough terrain but what I am interested is we reach our destination, a Better Nepal. We've tried so long with ones who promised our destination through highways but we got nothing but roundabouts without exit. Now let us try later, at least there is HOPE.
A.S
Excellent comments, thank you.
blogdai is always amazed at our infinite Nepali tolerance and hope.
I do take issue with the implication that, as long as a "positive attitude" results, any group can be excused for decades of brutality and murder.
-=blogdai
Let me reiterate that someone already has pointed out earlier in this Blog. There is blood on every politicians hand, ideally I would like to have a leader who is as clean as a cow, a Hermit. But can you imagine a leader that would be a pacifist? A guy whose ideal is to do not a single morally wrong thing? I once watched a tv serial called Chanakya and realized how dirty politics can be. As for your satire on forgiving a Decade long brutality you know as I do when you lead a huge force you can't keep lead on everyone. I'm not saying Prachanda is not to blame at all but I would like to give him benefit of doubt that there are many of the killing which he had no hands on. All we(neutral people) Beg of is time for these people in power to prove there point. If within certain time there is no change at all I promise you i would be among the first hands pick up the stone. What you say?
I understand and accept your point, but what are we saying exactly?
Are we not giving tacit approval for political violence as long as the results are positive?
It may very well be true that all our politicians have "blood on their hands" and that is the way they've come to power, but is the way of blood the only effective standard for political success in Nepal? If so, then we are far from democratized; far from civilized.
Prachanda blythly brushes off village murders as rash "indescretions" on his march to power. He has never--nor has any Maoist--apologized for atrocities and murders committed in the name of Maoism.
blogdai refuses to look the other way. Murder is still murder. We cannot simply forget that chapter in Maoists history and say that Prachanda's methods are validated because he is now prime minister.
If so, then we have already approved, condoned and justified the deaths of many innocents who will stand in the way of the next violent group's march to power. And there WILL be other groups.
Do we want the rule of law in Nepal or the rule of political barbarism?
-=blogdai
When people have to use terrorist means to develop a democracy, it is laughable. How are we to trust these killers? They got their way via the bullet and tried to legitimize it by ballot after they had cowed the people. What a great display of democracy. Prachanda should be thrown out on his rear with his cohorts. They are nothing but thugs.
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