Policy Disaster-2: The YCL Position on Gurkha Recruitment

(Courtesy: el Zorro)

Although “random” commentary regarding the Gurkhas may have appeared out of context (on this website) a month ago (refer to: “Gurkhas as Mercenaries? You Bet!”), it is hoped that the Young Communist League’s statement on Gurkha recruitment places the issue right back “in perspective.”

As with the Melamchi fiasco (refer to: “The Bitter Truth About Melamchi”), the issue of Gurkha recruitment was all too predictable to (re)emerge as a Maoist platform. The reasons underlying the predictability factor are straight forward: It’s not like the Maoist doctrine is a secret and it’s not like the Maoists have changed their end-goals.

This truth may be hard to swallow for Nepal’s leftist-inclined, intellectually deluded elite. But for the sake of this argument, pretend the source of this certainty isn’t this writing (or numerous ones before this); consider that the foundation is “Nepal’s Maoists: Purists or Pragmatists?”.

This report was authored by the ICG's (International Crisis Group’s) subject matter expert on Nepal, Rhoderick Chalmers (and almost certainly, corroborated by ICG’s former expert John Norris, who coincidentally, now works for Ian Martin and UNMIN).

The first line of the Executive Summary of this report reads as follows: “Nepal’s Maoists have changed their strategy and tactics but not yet their goals.”

As a standalone statement, this revelation is completely within reason. As a statement that calls into question the fundamental argument for the 12 Point Agreement – that the Maoists had changed and wanted to become a part of the democratic system – the ICG’s 180 degree, changed stance, has enormous implications.

Maoist sympathizers and the extreme Nepali left intentionally avoid debate on topics where the monarchy cannot be used as a convenient scapegoat. Not surprisingly, when Maoist positions (products of their unaltered end-goals) surface on contemporary issues (e.g. Melamchi and the recruitment of Gurkhas), they are appalling, even laughable.

The YCL’s policy of halting Gurkha recruitment reeks of self-centrism, ethnic bias, a general disconnect with global economic reality, and misguided nationalism.

How Stopping Gurkha Recruitment Benefits the Maoists

Recruitment into armed services in Nepal is a tiered process. More or less, the crème-de la-crème are recruited by the British, then the Indians, then Nepal’s own Army, followed by the Armed Police Force, the Nepal Police and the ultimate tier of physically (and mentally capable recruits), end up with the Maoists.

With the changed political environment in mind, the Maoists are now positioned to compete for the tier, previously occupied by Army recruiters. Take for example, the sharp rise in newly recruited Maoist combatants during the timeframe after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the conclusion of UNMIN’s Phase-I verification process.

As delusional as this thought-process may be, from a electoral point of view, it is certainly in the Maoists’ best interest to maximize the strength and the quality of their cadre. It is also in their best interest to have on hand, a large, disaffected population, unemployed and at the Maoists’ disposal to exploit.

However, by prohibiting the recruitment of Gurkhas (into both the British and Indian armies), the Maoists are allowing their rhetoric to get ahead of their objectives. Given the relatively high standard of living that retired Gurkhas enjoy, no Nepali in their right state of mind is likely to appreciate the Maoists’ attempted eradication of some of the most lucrative employment prospects, in sight.

How Stopping Gurkha Recruitment is an Extension of Ethnic Envy

That Nepal’s political sphere is dominated by a certain ethnic minority, is fact. This social ill, referred to disaffectionaltely as the “bahun baad” phenomenon, pervades every dimension of life in the Nepali state. In particular, the “Bahun baad” politicization of state resources is most prevalent in Nepal’s hinterland – where access to education and progress have been monopolized by high caste Bahuns and to a lesser extent, by Chhetris

Of the many marginalized communities, there is one in particular that has been able to break the cycle of “Bahun baad” domination. Many members of the Janajati community have succeeded in circumventing the impact of “Bahun baad” domination by enlisting with the Gurkhas, and in the process, becoming economically, socially and mentally superior to their former oppressors.

The harder Pushpa Kamal Dahal tries to dissociate himself from his ethnic background (by insisting that he be addressed as “Prachanda”), the more evident it becomes how rooted in ethnic divisions, Maoists objectives truly are.

Leveraging the envy of the majority who were not (and will not be) afforded the opportunity to join the ranks of the elite Gurkha troops is a dangerous game for the Maoists to play. The policy of eliminating Gurkha recruitment (and the de-facto extension of “Bahun baad” domination) is a position that educated (non-leftist brainwashed) Nepalis, Indians and British are likely to take issue with.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal may have little regard for Nepali opposition to his party’s policy on Gurkha recruitment. He may have even less regard for British opinion. However, Indian opinion on the matter is something Mr. Dahal is ill-positioned to ignore and even less well positioned to discuss in public.

How Stopping Gurkha Recruitment Demonstrates a Disconnect with Global Economics

Not that this comes as a surprise (especially after the Maoist policy fiasco on Melamchi), but the Maoists’ general disconnect with the global economic forces of demand and supply, is tantalizing.
Perhaps the Maoists are unfamiliar with the concept of Private Military Firms (PMFs)? It is even conceivable that the Maoists are unaware of the large numbers of ex-Nepal Army and ex-Gurkha servicemen that occupy positions in PMFs all over the world.

For if they did, the Maoists would realize that despite their desire to limit Nepali participation in the British and Indian militaries, Nepalis are already (and will increasingly) participate in stateless, private militaries, all over the world.

Perhaps the Maoists should educate themselves on the intersection of demand and supply for skilled, military labor. Perhaps the Maoists should also educate themselves on the 20th century (actually even earlier) phenomenon of labor migration.

For enlightenment on these economic concepts is the only way that Nepal’s Maoists will understand what it actually means to have an open border with India and also, what it means for people to want to pursue high-paid employment opportunities.

Maybe the Maoist policy isn’t designed to stop with the elimination of Gurkha recruitment. Let’s hope they put a moratorium on foreign labor opportunities in general and for good measure, let’s pray they seal Nepal’s border with India. At least then, we’ll know the outcome of CA elections before they happen!!

Then again, given that the Maoist end-goals (the establishment of a communist republic), haven’t changed, maybe these additional policies aren’t far down the road?

Why Stopping Gurkha Recruitment is Misguided Nationalism

The elimination of Gurkha recruitment will result in one thing and one thing alone – lost opportunity for thousands of young Nepalis.

There is not a single argument, be it moral, be it ethical, be it based on national fervor, that justifies the elimination of opportunity when alternatives aren’t readily available. This is like asking people to “honorably” starve to death – especially when food is readily available across the border.

In the times we live in, a sense of national pride is a luxury that is afforded by people who are able to feed, clothe and shelter their families. The view that employment with foreign governments somehow undermines Nepali nationalism is complete hogwash. Especially when this very form of employment has uplifted the lives of countless Nepali families, over the years.

People are empowered with education, technology and sufficient know-how to see through misguided nationalism. The Maoists’ habit of continuing to exploit those in the Nepali population they’ve deprived in the name of empowerment, is about to catch up with the Maoists.

If the Maoists believe that the Nepali people are ready to trade misguided rightist politics for deluded leftist nonsense, they are very wrong. The Maoists’ continued use of violence, their complete and utter disassociation with the socio-political (and economic) realities of the 21st century’s global economy, and their reliance on the monarchy as the only agenda that unites their support base, is severely flawed.

The more the Maoists present their positions on issues of contemporary significance, the more evident it becomes that they are clueless. Increasingly apparent also, is that the only public success the Maoists have enjoyed, has come at the expense of the monarchy. Given the Maoists’ track record, one is forced to wonder: who needs the monarchy more - The Royalists or the Maoists?

RELATED LINKS:

The Bitter Truth About Melamchi – Maoist Ideology at Odds with the 21st Century Political Economy
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/05/bitter-truth-about-melamchi-maoist.html

Gurkhas as Mercenaries? You Bet!
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/04/gorkhas-as-mercenaries-you-bet.html

The Idiot’s Guide to the Maoist Playbook
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/01/idiots-guide-to-maoist-playbook.html

Surreal Politics - How Nepal’s Intellectual / Political Class, Continue to Look the Other Way…
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/01/surreal-politics-how-nepals.html

Continued Manipulation of Nepal’s Political Mainstream
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2006/12/continued-manipulation-of-nepals.html

Perpetual Denial – The State of Nepal’s Intellectual Class
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2006/11/perpetual-denial-state-of-nepals.html