Archive for June, 2007

Nepal is passing through a very critical time in it’s entire history. 10yrs bloody conflict is in phase of transformation and people are debating over monarchy. Nepali people are now in position to write the constitution for them by themselves. As Nepal is in transition phase, it neither can fully implement the previous laws nor is in position to implement new laws. So many groups and parties are utilizing this critical time to bring situation in their favour. Instead of helping government to conduct Constituent Assembly (CA) Polls efficiently in time, such groups of opportunist people are raising voices tagging their rights. They are calling frequent reckless Bands and chakka jam to press for their demands. Some demands are genuine and some are completely freaking. Such cases are increasingly dangerously. On June 1 Janajatis (Indigenous groups) called Nepal band to protest Supreme Court’s 6 years (not sure) back decision of stopping use of local language at local administrations. Many simple accidents are leading to vehicular obstruction for long hours or sometimes even to bloody protests. News reports say Maoists are planning to declare Terai band on 9th July to meet it’s demands, likewise unconfirmed reports say that janajatis have threatened to declare band on 28 and 29 Jestha if government didn’t listened to it’s demands. Dalits have also plans to change it’s peaceful demonstrations if government don’t listen to it’s demands. Schools remained shut down for more than a week, hooligans and mobs are causing chaos in demonstrations. Even group of 20 people can stop entire traffic movement in Kathmandu and government can do nothing.

After the success of April Uprising, I was so glad that political awareness has increased so much in general public and was very much hopeful that now Nepal can move to the road of prosperity and development. But past 12 months have given birth to pessimism and restlessness within me. People understood their rights but not their duties. Duties and rights are two sides of a coin, but people here are conscious about their rights only not duties. You don’t know when what happens and you might get stuck somewhere missing your important deadline. In the name of democracy, such groups are hindering development of entire democratic culture and norms. But still why such people claim such incidents would strengthen democracy.

Eight political parties have agreed to hold CA polls by mid November and CA polls would decide fate of monarchy, turn Nepal to Federal Republic and real decentralization of power would begin and all the dreams we have kept for so long would materialize but current events are going against the theme of April Uprising. Instead of letting people to decide on such national issues, certain groups want government to act now. How incumbent interim government or parliament can can decide whether Nepal would be Republic or not? April Uprising’s sole mandate was to bring Maoists into mainstream politics and hold CA polls fairly. CA would decide and settle important aspect of Nepali political issues. But current activates of political parties within government can create confusion who’s opposition parties and who are not. Maoist reaming within government declares bands. How can government itself declare band? Young Communist League (YCL), associate of Maoist party is causing havoc in different areas of countries. Instead of controlling YCL atrocities, Maoist is blaming to royalists. Royalists are also not behind, to save their lovely king they have announced armed struggle in the name of Nepal Defence Army.

These whole affairs have made me sick. I don’t know who will listen to me. I guess no one will bother to know how common man is feeling. Even many people who would be reading this article feel same way me but when chances come to burn tires or break vehicles, they would merrily torch the tires and jump and dance. I had heard that no country is perfect, we have to make one. But in Nepal‘s case, I feel very few people are trying to make Nepal perfect and large number of people want it to be destroyed. May god save us. But may be even lord Pashupatinath is surrounded by people or gods pressing to meet their demands…..May be…..