There was much jubilation when Sitaram Prasai was paraded by the Young Communist League's (YCL) leadership. The press went into a frenzy, the SPA leadership went completely silent and the public opinion remained sharply divided on the intent and future consequences of the YCL's actions.
Based on the information that has surfaced (since the incident), the following conclusion may be drawn: Sitaram's abduction, subsequent kidnapping and the associated fallout has repercussions far beyond the legal and technical parameters that either the populist press or the public-at-large are able to fully fathom.
Illegal but necessary or legal but vigilantism?
Per the YCL's intent, the populist acclaim it expected (from the Sitaram Prasai episode), materialized. The idea was to seek de-facto public pardon for the YCL's activities in other areas - namely, for their extortion, intimidation and coercion tactics - by bringing Prasai to "justice."
Had the YCL "apprehended" and then "released" Prasai to the Police immediately, their ploy for popularity would have succeeded, no questions asked. But, the YCL got greedy and despite their publicized populist gesture, the following details paint a slightly different picture:
- The YCL took Prasai into its custody for over 17 hours, in complete and utter disregard for the country's standing law and order provisions. (The door is now open for any group consisting of semi-literate, heavily indoctrinated youngsters to do the same; the YCL itself is a prime target for such action).
- During the 17 hour period when Prasai was abducted, the YCL leadership made repeated attempts at extorting 2 crores from Prasai. Prasai is learned to have refused payment. (This "little" detail didn't make it into the media - had Prasai paid the YCL, he would have walked)
- SP Dhak Bahadur Karki received Prasai from the YCL and stated that citizens have a right to hand over criminals to the police. (His words immediately diffused the situation then, but SP Karki is sure to have greater difficulty finding the right words when criminal elements from the YCL are brought to his door step in the days ahead).
- The YCL's 17 hour kidnapping clearly violated sections of the "Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies 8 December 2006,” which establishes the Nepal Police (and the Armed Police Force) as the upholders of prevailing laws. (Since there are so many more systematic and more serious violations of all agreements with the Maoists, the keepers of Nepal's peace, UNMIN, had nothing to say).
Timed perfectly (by the YCL) and in perfect time (for Wagle and Gupta)
The YCL brought Sitaram Prasai to justice. Can they also demonstrate similar resolve in reversing the "special court" pardons handed down to former Ministers Chiranjibi Wagle and Jaya Prakash Gupta? Probably not.
Prasai's alleged fraud pales in comparison to the alleged wealth amassed by Wagle and Gupta (during their respective tenures in office). But the YCL as an instrument of Maoist policy, cannot dare to exceed political party boundaries at Wagle and Gupta's level.
The YCL-generated focus on Sitaram Prasai permitted criminals with political backgrounds (Wagle and Gupta) to walk free. Interesting to note here is that both Gupta and Wagle are criminals who belong to the NC-D and that the Nepali Congress is in the midst of a planned merger.
Perhaps this is Sher Bahadur Deuba's idea of "dignified" Congress unification - Koirala pushes to have all criminal cases on corruption charges pardoned, and Deuba regains his legitimacy as more than just a royal pawn. In the meantime, the Janajati-centric YCL plays the role of a smoke screen that masks the political machinations of all "Bahunist" power plays. Sound familiar?
Also noteworthy is the manner in which Jaya Prakash Gupta manoeuvred within the Madhesi Forum - from corrupt Minister of Information and Communications, to criminal defendant, to leader (alongside Upendra Yadav), back to an independent (owing to philosophical differences with the Madhesi forum). Rather convenient that as soon as Gupta severed his ties with his own people (the Madhesis), he was exonerated by a "special court" of all corruption charges.
Because of the media storm that Sitaram Prasai's abduction and kidnapping generated, other, equally (if not worse) criminals like Jaya Prakash Gupta and Chiranjibi Wagle, walked free. These miscreants have a lot to thank the YCL for - the extortion fees the YCL had hoped for from Prasai, will likely be provided in the form of "thanks" from the private coffers of Gupta and Wagle.
Perfect timing for Prasai's abduction and a perfectly timed pardon by the Girija and Deuba (for Gupta and Wagle). The YCL won't dare anger Girija baje by going after Gupta or Wagle. After all, the YCL is nothing more than a bunch of peons, unknowingly doing the bidding of the "Bahunists" wielding power.
Bad news for the Maoist leadership
Whatever the public image may be, the YCL's actions represent a dangerous and reactionary precedent whereby Maoist leaders are forced to take public responsibility for the increasingly unruly activities of its former combatants; in private however, there is much confusion, worry and dismay within the Maoists' rank and file.
The YCL's approach worked. They successfully replicated their wartime guerrilla tactics, in the urban centre. The YCL exposed the level of state incapacity that exists along with the culture of corruption, and lack of law and order.
The YCL also effectively demonstrated the most vulnerable pressure point in the SPA and Maoist alliance; i.e., the individual parties' divergent thoughts on corruption and how to deal with corrupt leaders, in their midst.
But the beauty of all this is that the YCL abducted Prasai, demonstrated that they are ready to take the law into their own hands, made sure that criminals like Gupta and Wagle would walk free (unnoticed), pushed the "button" that caught Girija's undivided attention, and the YCL did all this, without approval from the Maoist leadership.
While the newspapers were busy printing accounts of Pushpa Dahal and Krishna Mahara assuming responsibility for the YCL's abduction (of Prasai), they missed the other story about Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai snivelling at Girija's feet, explaining to the Prime Minister that the Maoist leadership had nothing to do with the Prasai debacle.
Further, people seemed to completely missed the bigger picture that had Prasai paid off the YCL, that's where the episode would have ended; had the Maoist leadership wanted to confront Girija at this juncture, many other (less controversial) platforms are at their disposal.
The YCL's agenda of choice (bringing the corrupt to justice) spells disaster for the Maoist leadership. It shows how far apart the leadership and the Maoist cadre have grown and how dangerous for the leadership's legitimacy, the YCL actually is. Irrespective of the short-term populist currency that an anti-corruption drive entails, the Maoists' entangling themselves on many crusades (on multiple fronts), is detrimental to none other than the Maoists themselves.
Conclusion:
The Maoists have attracted the fleeting attention of Kathmandu's lower middle class masses for now, but they've also alienated the affluent and educated, upper middle class that values due process and the rule of law over sporadic vigilantism.
Whether the Maoists realize it or not, Sitaram Prasai will be a free man tomorrow, thanks mostly to the Maoists - the unorthodox method used in Sitaram's apprehension is unlikely to stand in any rational court of law. Plus, if Gupta and Wagle can be acquitted for robbing the Nepali masses (of millions in development dollars), what sense does it make (especially in Maoist thinking) to incarcerate a man who has defrauded Nepal's wealthy?
Although the Maoist leadership is loathe to accept it at this point in time, the Sitaram Prasai episode was a complete disaster to the leadership's overall image. It is very apparent that every incremental victory for the YCL drives the wedge of division deeper within the ranks of the Maoists; every episode that challenges the essential 8 "party" unity at this juncture, further jeopardizes the overall peace process.
Sitaram Prasai may be guilty of fraud and Wagle and Gupta are definitely guilty of corruption. But more importantly, the Maoist leadership is soon to be guilty of gross political miscalculation and stupidity of a magnitude, new even to Nepal's political elite!!
Related Postings:
Young, Confused and Lost (YCL) – The Hammer of the Maoist “Party” of Nepal
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/05/young-confused-and-lost-ycl-hammer-of.html
What’s Got the Maoists on Edge?
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2006/10/whats-got-maoists-on-edge.html
15 comments:
Comrade Libre,
In essence, I agree with your article. YCL is just uncontrollable and they should be jailed for kidnapping Prasai. However, I have a few questions. Why wouldn't Sitram pay off Maoists. Madhab Kumar used to ride Sitaram's Pajero. Tulsi Giri used to live in Sitaram's house. I do not think Sitaram would miss a chance to buy off Maoists as well.
1) Where did you get the info that YCL tried to extort Rs. 2 crore? Are you connected to YCL or Sitrama? What is your source?
2) Why do you have this bias for Sitaram when you say, "Prasai's alleged fraud pales in comparison to the alleged wealth amassed by Wagle and Gupta (during their respective tenures in office)?" According to various news sources, Sitram defrauded Rs. 280 million from his own bank (i.e. deposits of small time savers). Gupta and Wagle are accused of amassing approx. Rs. 20 million each per CIAA.
For me they all are criminals. One is not bigger criminal than the other. They should all be in the jail.
3) "..if Gupta and Wagle can be acquitted for robbing the Nepali masses (of millions in development dollars), what sense does it make (especially in Maoist thinking) to incarcerate a man who has defrauded Nepal's wealthy?"
I do not understand what difference it makes whether you steal aid dollar or savings from Nepali people. You are a thief after all. I would think most of the depositers in Prasai's Bank (Nepal Cottage and Small Industry Bank) will be lower middle class, and small businessmen not wealthy people.
4) You must have some good connections within Koirala camp. How did you know that Baburam and Prachanda were explaining to Girija during the fiasco. How come only you caught it and no other media did?
5) Your conclusion baffles me. "The Maoists have attracted the fleeting attention of Kathmandu's lower middle class masses for now, but they've also alienated the affluent and educated, upper middle class that values due process and the rule of law over sporadic vigilantism."
Why would YCL/Maoists care about upper middle class? I do no think upper middle class is a target audience of YCL or Maoists. And what is the % of upper middle class in Nepali population? May be 5% or less. Almost insignificant.
Some interesting points especially the timing of Gupta and Wagle getting acquitted. Does Govt. have so much influence in the court system?
All Drama....there are many corrupt leaders in eight parties..and even in the government
Sitaram has already bought off the Maoists - i.e., the Maoist leadership. Obvioulsy, he does not feel the need to buy off the YCL too.
The YCL and Maoist leadership are growing further apart. The leadership is not the radical youth - they are a group of rats, scared by the shadow of their own radicalism of the past.
Anonymous, I wouldn't underestimate the power of the upper middle class of Nepal. If they can topple of tyrant like Gyane, I wouldn't try their pateince for too long.
The same reason Pusphe baje came running back to Kathmandu when Gopal sahu was beat up by YCL. Remember that?
I don't like that this article says that Sitaram is less of a criminal. A criminal is a criminal. No such thing a more criminal and less criminal.
But Sitaram should be punished the same way the Wagle and Gupta should also be punished.
I have tired to do business during time when Gupta was Minister. Him and his brother-in-law (agent) were the most corrupt peolle I knew.
It makes me very angry that Wagle and Gupta got teh clean chit. This means few years in the future, Prasai will also get similar pardon.
Where are the Civil Society and rights people now? Why doesn't the media talk abotu these things?
I do not know why media are not grilling/questioning the judges who are letting all these corrupt ministers go free. I do not know why they are not doing any investigation about these judges and how they were acquitted.
They were going crazy when some Nigerian drug peddler was released in a very shady way. As a result, the judges resigned. Why isn't there an outcry over these corrpts getting acquitted.
Someone needs to bring this Chiranjibi Wagle and Jaya Prakash Gupta issue into the lime light.
It's atrocious that these crooks are getting away just because bigger crooks are back in power. This is just UNACCEPTABLE beginning to a "new nepal."
I am simply happy because at least the YCL action is a middle finger in the faces of all the Bahun baad Bahunists and their media and their associates across Nepal.
Of course Devendra Raj Pandey or Kanak Mani Dixit or Krishna Pahadi don't criticize the YCL in public. Their past of corruption (giving and taking money for political/business favors) isn't clean either.
This is also true of all the major media houses. Take the case of Kantipur - what the hell can these idiots do now that large groups of their workers are part of the Maoist-sponsored media union?
It really pains me to say this but the Royalists must be laughing off her asses looking at this chaos right now.
Did anyone see the interview with the YCL leader on television last night?
Talk about brain-washed, indoctrinated, and out of touch with the globalized world. This guy was a case study in what it means to be out of place, out of time and completely out of one's mind!!
I have to admit, the whole thing was entertaining in a sick kind of way... shows how far behind the times our country is.
In an interview, YCL trying to defend itself by telling that they are representing the people. And also trying to proof that their all acts represent the demand of the people.
Neither the spaM representing the people nor the YCL by vote. Their acts are directly link to hooligons with direct suppor of the spaM government. They are emerged from the innocent people, by using their muscules, to destroy the nation and its sovereignity.
It cannot be believed that they will bring peace and democracy in Nepal. It is better we should not pay the tax and supoort these hooligan spaM government before it is too late atleast to survive (forget about other things).
Lets stick to a point and not fish for right or wrong, sometimes having too much intellect is a bad thing. Right is right and wrong is wrong. YCL, SPA and Maoist are wrong- admit it and do something about it.
Lets throw away the tinted glass and see it with clarity. Nepal cannot afford to be run a ground on assumption of 'should, could have and facade of false mainstreaming, indianized word Loktrantra( Bhiharization along wiht Bhaunization). To put a stop to runaway freight train- make a hard choice and fight back qwith resolute committment to defeat SPAM.
DOA
SPAM is an mother of Embarrassment in the world community.
Do we need more "evidence" that the YCL and Maoist leadership are moving in different directions?
See below.
YCL thrash former NSU prez Ghimire
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, June 13 - Cadres of the Maoist wing Young Communist League (YCL) Tuesday night thrashed and injured former Nepali Congress student wing Nepal Students' Union (NSU) president Guru Raj Ghimire in the capital.
The YCL members stopped Ghimire's motorcycle while he was returning home last night and beat him up near Batisputali in Kathmandu.
Ghimire sustained injuries in his mouth, chin and eyes and was taken home after receiving treatment at the capital's Teaching Hospital.
Motive behind the beating is unknown.
I ain't racist but what you see in Nepal is a TRUE BHAUN character seeping into each and every aspect of life. Nothing is done with finality, only stoked and let simmer.
If it was Chetri or Matwali- all things would be done with finality. Just an observation.
YOu are right friend. These god damn bahunist are born to connive in the name of democracy; it's in their blood to manipulate others.
If it were up to the janajatis or matwalis or any other group, this moist bull shit would have settled a long time ago.
Only because these Bahunists are in Maoists and Parties, this war went on for a long time.
The Bahunists should all be exiled.
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