(Courtesy: Dr. Hari Bansha Dulal)
Not even 72 hours had passed since the raising of glasses to celebrate victory over the despised monarch, Puspa Kamal Dahal's gibe, "due to the foolishness of Gyanendra, republic has been established. If the NC and UML also continue demonstrating their foolishness, people's republic will be established" forced the left-leaning civil society pundits to drop to their knees and puke till they got sober.
Dahal's words forced our pundits to get into a sober mode even before they fully got kick out of their drinks. This is what happens when the greed to remain in the limelight at the cost of ideological dilution takes a front-seat and the desire to become politically correct all the time overrides objectivity.
In order to become politically correct, the very same pundits that relentlessly advocated endless appeasement of the Maoists, are now sticking their heads out of line and saying the exact same thing that we have been saying (the end goal of the Maoists is to establish a totalitarian regime) for the last two and a half years.
With the Maoists' intention getting clearer, the left-leaning civil society members afflicted by myopia have finally started to see the rust in Maoists' sickle. They have woken up when the Maoists are actually preparing to strike their political opponents and the press in the head with their hammer.
A clarion call by a civil society pundit, who once thought that peace was not possible without the appeasement of the Maoists at this point in time when the Maoists have everything they need: popular mandate, international community's support, and their cadres willingness to fight till the finish -- might be too little and too late. The Maoists are on a march to deliver the exact same thing that the late King Mahendra delivered from the extreme right almost half a century ago. The only difference this time around is that, they will be delivering the exact same thing but from the extreme left. Does it make a difference if they declare Nepal a one-party communist state or not as long as they are successful in replicating King Mahendra's model?
With the Maoists' intention getting clearer and nervousness reigning in, in the ultra-liberal camp, the much talked about consensus politics has vanished into thin air. Politics is slowly but surely getting confrontational. The humiliating defeat in the CA elections and the constant flurry of gibes from the top-rung Maoist leaders have forced both the major political parties of yesteryears and pundits crushed with political baggage to confront an uncomfortable reality.
The NC and the UML happily traveled along "Prachanda path" when they were strong. Now, they want to deviate when they are weak. Will the Maoists let them off the hook without surrendering the power? The Maoists obviously did not fight the decade long bloody insurgency to put old guards of Nepali politics back into the power.
If we look realistically, with the Nepal Army in a silent mode and India on its side, the Maoists do not need an October revolution. The subtle threat is more than enough to bring Koirala's government to its knees. It is just a matter of time.
With the emergence of the Maoists as the largest party in the Constituent Assembly, India's betting reference has changed. It is more interested in geopolitical gain against China rather than help the democratic process in Nepal. In order to preempt China's influence over the Maoists, India is now fully backing the Maoist rule. Surprisingly, it is even ready to review the 1950 agreement.
With Lok Sabha elections round the corner in India, foreign minister of India Pranab Mukherjee will obviously not jeopardize his chances of winning election by displeasing the leftists in West Bengal, who want to see their fellow comrades rule in Nepal. Why would Pranab scuttle his own chances of wining upcoming Lok Sabha election by backing the losers in Nepal? Both politically and personally, it does not make any sense.
It might be an unpleasant thing for some populists in Nepal and abroad to hear that the only institution that has the required strength and the motivation to counter the Maoist threat is the Nepal Army. But like it or not, that's the truth.
However, a million dollar question is, Will the Nepal Army stand against India's will and support the very people that once asked the army to obliterate the Maoists but later on not only joined hands with the Maoists but also set up inquiry commissions to investigate human right abuses committed by them?
For the generals within the army, unless they have a bigger role to play, supporting anyone from the democratic camp doesn't make any sense at this point in time. If the Maoists are somehow able to convince the generals, saluting Puspa Kamal Dahal would not be as painful as expected by many.
The political parties of yesteryears are in a very difficult situation now. And, the worst thing is that, it is them, who invited this trouble. Left-leaning civil society pundits and the so-called intellectuals that gather in coffee houses in Kathmandu are only part of the problem. Why would they want to be in the bad books by asking politicians to stay away from joining hands with people whose views are diagonally opposite, when the game is all about sharing the pie?
The politicians with in the NC and UML are surrounded by sycophants that do not dare to ask their masters to stick to the party's basic ideology and principles. If you are a real democrat, you dare to stand up and say that the party is deviating from its basic principles, when dilution of principles takes place, not justify the riding of populist bandwagon.
By openly threatening the media and expressing his desire to establish a people's republic, Puspa Kamal Dahal has already shown his true color. The democratic forces should immediately form an alliance if they want to survive politically. That alliance should then work relentlessly towards smoothing its relationship with the Army. Before Puspa Kamal Dahal and India convinces the Nepali Army to work with the Maoists, democratic forces should try wining the trust of the army.
Unless the NC, UML, and other parties that believe in multiparty democracy get unequivocal support from the army and convince India that they can overrun the Maoists, India will not change its betting preferences. India loves to ride the winning horse. Than Swe of Myanmar and Maumoon Abdool Gayyom of the Maldives are living examples.
The game is almost over. Act before it is too late to do anything!
Related Posts:
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
The Pitfalls of Relying on Indian Benevolence
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/01/pitfalls-of-relying-on-indian.html
Nepali Congress Lost in Democratic Translation
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/05/nepali-congress-lost-in-democratic.html
Kanak Mani Dixit The Nuanced
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/04/kanak-mani-dixit-nuanced.html
Riding the Republican Bandwagon
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/04/riding-republican-bandwagon.html
16 comments:
If it weren't for people like Kanak Mani Dixit (assuming Dr. Dulal is referring to him or perhaps half a dozen people like him who enjoy flip-flopping depending on which way the wind blows), then Pushpa Dahal would not be in a position to scare the entire country.
If it was not for people like Pushpa Dahal, the Maoists would be everyone's favorite to lead the country for the next decade.
I say, thank god for both. One, the idiot whose personal vendetta has coulded his moral judgment and the other, a ruthless, charismatic dictator in the making that from time to time, let's slip his true character and objectives.
At heart, I am as anti-communist as they come. My parents worked in Kampuchea (Cambodia) after Pol Pot came to power.
I'm not saying Nepal's Maoists are the Khmerouge. What I am saying is that the same principles and doctrinal goals guide both groups. If Nepal's Prachanda was in the time of Pol Pot, he would do exactly the same things.
I have asked my friends many times why Nepali people and the educated elite support what the Maoists are doing in your country. Articles like this one, provide many answers to my question.
My dear friends, appeasing your oppressors will only make them bolder. Your liberal intentions are well founded but your population is illprepared to absorb them. If you refuse the confront the Maoists on their terms, you are only feeding their ego.
My unsolicited advice to readers of this blog is this: Heed Mr. Dulal's words and heed them well.
So what exactly does this writer mean by "act!" And do what? Instigate a coup? Eliminate the Maoists? What?
Don't tell us what every one of us already knows. Suggest real options. Or continue being one of the cheap commentators on Nepal - everyone has an opion on what is wrong with not the faintest clue on how to fix it!
Anon 11:50, Mr. Dulal has left it open with his exhortation to "act", but we all know what needs to be done.
(a) Support to fight the unconstitutional republic declaration of May 28th in the Supreme Court and, if needed, in the International Court of Justice;
(b) Support the formation of a strong democratic front to keep the Maoists in check and to win the general election in 2010;
(c) Counter every authoritarian move of the Maoists and the YCL, bringing them to the attention of the Nepali public and the international community;
(d) Never give up hope.
Horatio, you are suggesting the following:
(a) Reverse the declaration of Nepal as a republic because 26 CA members were not present
(b) Get the NC, UML, MJF to overlook their own partisan objectives (while the Maoists serve theirs) and collaborate to oppose the Maoists
(c) Isn't this already being done? The YCL broken RS Mahat's head; they murdered a journalist, a businessman, shot a madhesi youth in Lahan.... did you see the international community take "action" in response? Did you see any of the parties lift a finger to prosecute the Maoists? Now that they are in power, what has changed?
(d) Yes, never give up hope in the capacity of Nepalis to be "bahadurs" in the households of Indians and "kathars" in their own households.
You may be speaking from your heart but what you need to do is speak from your head.
So, tell me again, what exactly is it that must be done to "act?"
Just bring back 1990 constitution- that will be watershed for this country with too many know-it-all to move forward.
Beside, Nepal without the monarchy is no better than Mustang ranch- Hope you get my drift, if not then just do not think too much about it- nation of sluts (dixits, Pahade, Pandeys etc.,)
well...why did you get rid of the king in the first place when it was not necessary at all..
The two "anonymous" people above, STOP DREAMING. The 1990 constitution and the King are water under the bridge. They are gone now and will never come back. Live with it.
The article on this blog before this one is exactly why the monarchy had to go. Look around you and see all the lies that are being exposed day by day.
another nepali pundit's started a blog:
www.thulididi.blogspot.com
Anon 6:30, thank you for - unnecessarily - 'interpreting' my 'suggestions'. They were not suggestions, rather they were specific proposals. Far from speaking just from my heart, my dear Anon, my head is working fine. Yes, the international community did not take any action. Yes, none of the political parties lifted a finger. This is exactly what I'm saying the problem is. You may compare yourself to 'bahadurs' in India and domestic 'kathars'. There are a lot of Nepalis who don't do that. You reflect the views of those who have given up hope and who signify what is wrong with this country. You had better start using your head!
I beg to differ- Parhlad. I ain't got the hint the LIES EXPOSED you are talking about. Or do you mean to say Maoist do not believe in Multiparty system but in People's Republic.
No wonder we are in this shape when people like you try to over dramatize, assume to be mother of all illiberal left, and take the persona of Dixits and Nordic states- trying in vain to be an statesmen & nation state with international clout- both unrealizeable.
Go, bow down to Mr Sod (intentionally), he will lend you ear and even pat you on your back just like he did to Chief Justice. You are them, for you change at any cost means liberation from God knows what, nonetheless change even if it means being sold down the river - loss of nationhood to be soiled by others at their whims- they got you to do all the dirty work. Ain' that a shame.
Ok anonymous, if I am the left wing libertarian you claim, then you must be atilla the hun, reincarnated...
Just give it a break and think about what you're suggesting - brining back the 1990 constitution!??!? What kind of medication are you taking?
If want to pose as opposition to the Maoists and you want to be effective, I recommend you become a little more original in your arguments and a little less absorbed with your own identiy. In other words, take a step back and THINK.
Alright then Horatio. If I am one of the Indian "bahadurs" and a domestic "kathar", does that put me in the majority or you?
The last time I checked, there was a Gorkhaland proposal to accomodate the demands of these "bahadurs" in India. Where is your proposal to establish something (anything) of the "hopeful" people of your kind, anywhere in the world?
You state that the international community didn't do anything. You complain that the politial parties didn't lift a finger. What is the intent of telling me what I already know? So what?
If you feel your three meager lines are "proposals", then tell us how you intend to implement your grand vision. Or, are you one of those "silent majority" types who have all the advice to give but nothing practial to do?
You lot are just wasting your time over Nepal. Isn’t it better to be a third class citizen elsewhere than a second class Indian? So get out while you can and make the most of your lives – you owe yourselves and your families at least that much. And when you are gone, remember you will always have with you the very best memories of Nepal.
Parhlad, you talk but originality and less absorbed with identity- you got me, man. I don even have a slight clue what you are getting at, honestly. To me it sounds like an art of deflection- just like your brethens.
1990 constitution is the right course rather than falling headlong into a doctored and served on a platter Constitution from south of the Border. Just ask BP's Doc son- he will tell you. I know you are alright by that but for some of us, its not. And also, specifically tell me what was wrong with that Constitution. Ok, you are dead against Monarchy or anything to do with Royals, understood but amendments and acts would have done that. It all happened due to India's total dislike - cause 1990 constitutuion vested right to Nepal and Nepali rather than to Indians.
Just ask Sod-making around all over Kathamndu acting as bona fide ruler than a Diplomat. Its a disgrace but elites like you see it as necessary evil. So be it.
Anon 6:30, I seem to have drawn your ire. That was not my intention. And I certainly do not want to have an acid 'chat' with you in this forum.
Bottom line: you have given up, I haven't. And if you are asking who is in the majority, the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind!
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