(Courtesy: Mr. Wayne)
Once again Kanak Mani Dixit has demonstrated why he deserves to be singled out for ridicule as a delusional snob. He loved to chastise the previous United States ambassador, James Moriarty and other outsiders for not understanding the “nuanced” nature of Nepali politics.
It is normally best to leave condescending hyper-liberal post-modern elitists like Kanak alone. Why legitimize their puerile rants and their self-importance? They are, at the end, incredible bores. But the alternative is to continue to let Kanak Mani Dixit use his Himal media platform to dictate to other Nepalis why HIS vision of Nepal should carry more currency than those of others during this critical historical juncture in Nepal.
Kanak Mani Dixit’s convenient response to foreign diplomats, particularly those who have advised extreme caution about Maoist methodology, intent, and purpose has always been along the lines of: “Oh, you wouldn’t understand fellas. It’s a Nepali thing.” The Maoist victory in Lalitpur goes to show how severely out of touch Dixit's line of thought has been with voter sentiment in his own back yard - never mind the rest of Nepal.
In his most recent commentary in Nepali Times, published right before the April 10th elections, Kanak Dixit smugly announced how wrong everyone else was about the will of the people, the resurrection of the parliament, and the execution of the twice-postponed elections.
With characteristic hubris, he then gave us this now-discredited prediction of post-election Nepal:
“The political party that gets the largest number of votes will take the lead in fashioning the new polity, but it must carry along all political forces including the Maoists in the running of the government and drafting the constitution.”
In light of the recent devastating victory by Maoists in the polls, however, it is the Maoists who will lead all the political forces as they come closer to their own vision of New Nepal – which Mr. Dixit may soon find is quite different and “un-nuanced” than what he might have imagined.
We would like to hear from Mr. Dixit on the nuanced head-busting Maoist attack on the Finance Minister in his OWN constituency. Dr. Mahat in a press conference evidently now wonders that with such few foreign observers (800 to cover the whole country), serious pre-poll intimidation, and other strong-arm Maoist tactics whether the elections were really fair?
More ominous is Hsila Yami’s “nuanced” pre-poll observation reported in the same issue of the Nepali Times (albeit, by a more grounded writer, Prashant Jha):
“We have people everywhere. There is an invisible network that is active now."
Barring any serious counter (as in violent deterrence), what is now uncomfortably clear is that the Maoists will work even more diligently to close-out their agenda. There is little reason for them to follow an elitist intellectual’s vision of "New Nepal." Violence – either direct or implied will remain an important component of the Maoist political repertoire. The YCL will get stronger. The “invisible” network will metastasize further and begin to obstruct press freedom and other transactions necessary for democracy.
Kanak Mani Dixit and his fellow know-it-alls (if they can shake off their arrogance) could enlighten themselves by revisiting the contents of "Prachanda Path" and interpreting the Maoist vision of Nepal the way the Maoists see it. Mr. Dixit may care to pay special heed to Maoist sentiments on ultra-nationalism and their thoughts on India's regional hegemony.
No matter how much he tries, Kanak Dixit's attempts to characterize Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburm Bhattarai as "moderates" will never change the character of these hard men. Nor will it change the rank-and-file Maoists' characterization of Kanak Mani Dixit as a pillar of Indian political hegemony over Nepal.
Maybe Mr. Kanak Mani Dixit never read Orwell during his days at Columbia University, a bastion of post-modern liberal thinking. If he had, he might have picked up a nugget of Orwellian caution:
“So much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot.”
Related Posts:
The Nepali Times Gets it Wrong - Lazy Thinking and Unworthy Patronage of Maoists
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/09/nepali-times-gets-it-wrong-lazy.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
The Problem with Nepali Political Civil Society - The Leftist, the Cowards, and the Compromised
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/10/problem-with-nepali-political-civil.html
20 comments:
Absolutely brilliant!!! The Dickshits, Packurels, Pandeys and the Paharis must be shitting their pants right now. "Rato Bangala" will now get its true character with Red education. Expect the Comrades' children to line up at the Bangala for free education!!
hahah...
It's not just the pandeys, situoulas, dixits and pyakurels who will feel the brunt of leftist extremism. Don't forget the affluent Thapas, Shahs, Ranas and Pande's either.
hahaha..
I had just commented on an article in nepalnews.com... without re-typing what I just wrote, my logic applies equally to writer Kanak Mani Dixit. He is not a bad person, just consumed in his own flawed view of the world.. not unlike many of us at different points in time..
http://discussion.nepalnews.com/index.php?topic=1217.msg14508#msg14508
Are you guys just bashing Dixit to cover for your failure as a group to "educate" the public on the perils of Maoism and the need for monarchy in Nepal?
-RS
No RS, I think the criticism is legitimate based on the arguments forwarded.
Perhaps the attempt here is more to shift the debate away from the monarchy because there monarchy hasn't been a real debate for months?
The choices you propose in your question: "monarchy or maoism" - this is exactly the flaw that consumed the likes of Mr. Dixit as well as the Indian government and Nepali intellentsia. Isn't it?
Are you also still stuck in this line of argument?
- UI
Whatever is said, Mr. Dixit is definitely at the forefront of the advocates for India in Nepal.
Unfortunately, despite his elite education and understanding of Nepal, his focus on pushing the Indian agenda has clouded his judgment.
Kanak Dixit once wrote that Gyanendra was the most humiliated man in Asia. That was very true. Now, is Kanak the most humiliated journalist in Nepal?
Exactly! The case for Maoism was never 'intellectually' questioned, and this was the job of supposed Nepali intelligentsia of which Mr. Dixit is an infamous member.
Everything boiled down to anything but the King. And such was seemingly not the sentiment of the people then but of few in Kathmandu who had an ax to grind with G.
"Now, is Kanak the most humiliated journalist in Nepal?"
Why would he though, unless the obvious happens..., if not, he may very well be taken as a celebrity in international circles.
International and Maoist celebrity. The Maoists owe a lot to people like Kanak Dixit for elevating the Maoist game. Hoina ta?
The elite and so-called intellectuals like Dixit, Pahadi, Pandey etc. etc. convert this nation into maoist country in the 21st century, even by using funds of democratic countries. There is a question now how come these western products and thoughts brought the maoist in and democratic forces out ??
Aren't they really stupid instead of intellectuals ???
oh dont be worried for a two face sly fox like dixit with his stashed money - tomorrow in the nepali times hell begin kissing arse of the maos. he'll probably take a ministry from the lack of educated cadres and mps maoists happily and fly the sickle and hammer - he's just like his dad - crooked and greedy.
Apparently, this is where the dinner parties where Kanak entertained Baburam and Prachanda, pay off. So he can be wrong again and again and still be untoucble. So he may think.
I sure hope Kanak realizes what a precarious position he has put himself in. When the Maoists start wooing in the nationalist camp (and this will happen), everyone Kanak has offended with his stupidity will be in a single camp.
If Gyanendra leaves for India, Kanak should leave for New York. If Gyanendra stays in Nepal, Kanak should leave for India.
Either way, the likes of Kanak will be squeezed by all extremes and will be ridiculed by all moderates.
He is the front runner candidate on our list of "useful idiots."
The Maoists can easily consolidate the nationalist vote bank. All they have to do is release their YCL on this idiot Kanak Dixit they way they did on Ram Sharan Mahat.
Baje, I read your comments on nepalnews.. from the link you have provided.
I could not agree with you more. Your short and to-the-point argument about why people like Kanak Dixit (and in your critique, Pramod Kantha) think the way they do, is simply right on the money.
I would love to hear a more elaborate analysis from you on this topic.
David Horowitz's "Unholy Alliance" came to my mind as I read through your comment on nepalnews.com
Guys & gals New Nepal belongs to the Dixits, Paharis, Pandeys, Pyakurels, Siwakotis, etc, - thanks to King G of the “lost the throne twice” fame. Just acknowledge that fact and start massaging his ego for a change - don't you know the poor bloke is facing an eviction!
Dixits' head will turn from left to right and down to up
when the poor people who have expection with the maoist rule start to demand to re-distribute their huge and high valued excess land and properties, and also demand to turn huge earnings of Rato bangla pvt. ltd into public school.
The problem with Mr. Dixit and goons at this moment are nor they have choice to collect the funds in the name of republic/democracy nor they can go against the maoist because of their good result in the election and their strength. Bad days for Dixit, Pandey, Pahadi...etc. Do they have guts to cry about human rights violation in the election as some of the politicians are saying...not at all...because they have to save their...ss
THE HEART OF THE MATTER -- THE FAILURE TO QUESTION WHAT MAOISM IS -- WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE IN CHARGE THE SORT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE "HOLOCAUST DENIERS."
WITNESS IRAN, SOUTH AFRICA (WHERE YOU CAN'T EVEN GET PROPER TREATMENT FOR AIDS THANKS TO THE WHACKO VIEWS OF THE SOON TO BE EX-PRESIDENT), AND SO ON.
MAO AND STALIN WERE NOT JUST BAD PEOPLE, THEY WERE BAD PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY SHARED A SET OF BELIEFS THAT THE MAOISTS CLAIM ARE CORRECT. AS SOLZHENITSYN SAID TIME AND AGAIN, HOW IS IT THAT THE GREATEST CRIMES HUMANITY HAS EVER WITESSED HAVE ALL BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE NAME OF SOCIALISM?
Good old Kanak.. haha. This is a man without convictions. He will swing in whichever direction the wind blows and rationalize his flip flopping as "compromise" and "moderation."
The Maoists will eat people like Kanak, alive. The next time he's at a mass gathering and strats kicking people from the stage, he may not escape unharmed.
Lal Salam and Jaya madhes,
Comrade Dixit.
Now poor and backward ethnic groups and new generation are going to rule this country. They are coming infront due to everending suppression of particular castes and their lieness. Neither Prachanda and Baburam nor Girija and Madhav can block it even in future. The winning candidates of maoist and the result of madhesi parties (more than Congress and UML) clearly potrays the realities. Your all thinkings and imagination in politics has been outdated now.
so many people venting their frustrations on one man. maybe that is why icons are necessary for countries - so that they can leave the troubles of their own lives on hold and pick on someone that is easy to attack - someone who is actually trying to do something for the country. all you people are just what is wrong with Nepal - you can't rise up, so you try to pull everything down. that is exactly what is wrong with the maoists - they are trying to bring the levels of good schools down instead of make the bad schools better. my daughter goes to school in India because she didn't get into Rato Bangala, i am not proud of it, but maybe you should try to make things better yourselves instead of gossiping to each other like old Rana women.
Kanak is clearly a polarizing agent. One day he's the biggest supporter of Maoists, next day he's seen to be an American spy or in the pay of Indians. This may be the fate of people who choose not to choose sides, and to see things as they evolve--the hallmark, in fact, of a good journalist. Of course, he's incredibly elite and he moves in all the snotty circles --however, this does not discredit all his work, and you have to give credit that he's been one of the most tireless media enterpreneurs and activists of Nepal. Having said all that, I have to sympathize with the sentiments (not the factual content) expressed by the writer of above article :-)
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