Ordinary Nepali Realities vs. Extraordinary Nepali Dreams

(Courtesy: el Mariachi)

If it's one characteristic that distinguishes Nepal's intellectual elite, it's their unlimited capacity to back-slap, laud and congratulate each other at every possible opportunity. Such appetite for collective aggrandisement, glorification and haughtiness is matched only by this group's inability to self-reflect, revise and adapt its grandiose claims in favour of reality. A result of this narcissistic trend is a gaping chasm between the distorted, elitist perception of a "new Nepal" and the harsh reality that ordinary Nepalis confront every day.

When approached, the usual suspects invariably default to their mundane responses: "Democracy is a process" or "Nepal is in a transition period." The self-righteous certitude with which such justifications are banally regurgitated is nauseating. The idea of fellow countrymen transformed into experimental guinea pigs for political scientists and international "experts", is revolting.

Further, as broad a stroke as these clichéd responses paint, they still fall short of addressing more pertinent questions like "what is it about Nepali society that transforms ordinary citizens into money-mongering politicians?" or "why do Nepali elites shy away from discussing the obvious dominance of a certain caste group within the halls of state power?"

The point being made here is that it is not the certainty of democracy as a process or of Nepal passing through a transitory period that should be challenged. Rather, it is the collective decision-making capacity of Nepal's elite minority that is due for a microscopic examination. In other words, it is the continued tyranny of this elite minority over the rule of Nepal's majority that calls into question both the progression of Nepal's democracy and the characteristics that govern Nepal's so-called transition.

The truth is, Nepal has transformed into the ultimate experimental playground for academics and an unlimited source of income for employees of large, international non-governmental organizations. Today, Nepal is a state on the verge of self-propelled implosion - a country with a sufficiently weakened state structure, malleable to the whims and fancies of any interest group (internal or external or “exported”), that hints at even negligible power.

For example, Nepal is a country where former US President Jimmy Carter is bestowed celebrity status while those inside Carter's own circle, distance themselves from this former American President. Has any Nepali journalist followed up with the Carter Centre to inquire if Carter’s report to the White House (urging the US government to remove the terrorist tag on the Nepali Maoists) ever reached its destination?

How radically changed is the Young Communist League's (YCL) behaviour after Carter's measured criticisms? The only American dignitary (almost) to shake hands with Nepal’s Maoists is a man whose presidential tenure is most closely associated with the disastrous Iranian hostage crisis. Coincidentally, Jimmy Carter shook hands with Nepal’s Maoist leaders who according to the accounts of many members of the interim parliament, continue to hold the Nepali state hostage (to the on-going peace process).

Nepal’s elite may like to paint a different portrait, but the reality is that shaking hands with Jimmy Carter has not made our Maoists one bit more democratic.

Consider another elite intellectual fantasy – that Girija Prasad Koirala is the answer to Nepal’s version of caste-based Apartheid. Given Koirala’s highly controversial politics, how many Nepalis hold the current Prime Minister on the same pedestal that Jimmy Carter fabricated? It has to be difficult for ordinary, non-"intellectual," non-elite Nepalis to reconcile Carter’s view of Girija as a “hero” with the number of special court rulings that continue to exonerate notoriously corrupt figures like Jaya Prakash Gupta, Chirabjibi Wagle and a handful of Sujata Koirala's business affiliates.

These "special" courts (appointed under the interim government) have definitely passed "special" verdicts under meticulously timed "special" circumstances. And yet, neither Nepal's elite Civil Society, nor its elite media, questions the authenticity or motivations underlying special court verdicts. It is indeed challenging, to view Nepal’s self-proclaimed protectors of human rights and civil liberties with any measure of genuine conviction when their affinities and partial views are so apparent.

Old habits die hard so the saying goes and where the nexus between Nepal's political elite and their helmsmen (the civil society and media elite) is concerned, it’s business as usual.

Now consider the famously touted US HOR, Resolution 1051. Is the mere fact that Congressman James Walsh sponsored this resolution a sufficient condition to aid Nepal's transition? Every single article in Resolution 1051 has been violated by either the Maoists or the State and yet, no sign of a follow-on resolution condemning such violations is in the works. Whoever aided in getting Resolution 1051 sponsored (and passed) is likely still bathing in the glory of his/her/their "accomplishment" while those who read and spat on the resolution are still committing acts that contravene the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Nor is any word forthcoming these days from the office of Senator Patrick Leahy or his trusty Aide. The only thing related to Human Rights that has been dissipated are dogmatic speeches from Senator Leahy’s office while regrettably, rights violations in Nepal(by any measure), continue unchallenged. Criticisms and expressions of “concern” from international actors have always fallen (and will likely continue to fall) on the deaf ears of the Maoist rank and file.

Teenage political gangs rampage on the streets of Kathmandu attacking and counter-attacking each other; media houses are threatened daily while a Maoist presides over the Information Ministry; the YCL wreaks havoc on the streets of every major town and village in Nepal; innumerable lives have been lost due to flooding caused by barrages erected on Indian land; and Nepal’s intellectual elite are nowhere to be heard. Even Mr. Krishna Pahadi with his trademark fluorescent (look at me!) costume, hasn’t made the headlines in months!

The reality of the “new Nepal” is that it is still very much like the old Nepal. It is business as usual for Nepal’s self-proclaimed elite, especially now that their agents of corruption are free once more. Were it not for the Indian hand having been exposed and dragged into Nepal’s Maoist mess, nothing short of a flawless election would have sufficed. But now, with even the head of the UN mission taking direct orders from New Delhi, the Nepali elites’ focus is on holding elections no matter the cost or the odds of Nepal’s electoral process being either free or fair.

Truth be told, elections in November 2007 will be a replica of attempted elections under the King’s regime – everyone has learned how to get what they want from the shining example our Maoists have set. Ordinary Nepalis know where their country is headed; it’s only the extraordinary Nepalis who remain wed to their illusory charade of unbounded optimism. And without a doubt, it is be this very group of self-proclaimed elites who will take it upon themselves to criticize this writing and by doing so, will demonstrate their narcissism all over again!

Related Posts:

US House of Representatives, Resolution 1051 – In Support of Peace and Democracy in Nepal
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2006/12/us-house-of-representatives-resolution.html

Thank You Daniela - But Nepal is Already on "Plan B" http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/05/thank-you-daniela-but-nepal-is-already.html

History, Farce, and Tragedy in Nepal http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/02/history-farce-and-tragedy-in-nepal.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

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

Life is Good When You Are a Nepali Intellectual Elite
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/06/life-is-good-when-you-are-nepali.html