As expected, the situation in Nepal is increasingly complex and uncertain. Even within the SPA, apprehension and dissatisfaction is emerging.
But for the Nepali, there is work to do:
1. Unfortunately, the word Nationalism does not seem to convey the same impact that it used to. So I have been using constructs such as, 'for the benefit of the country' or 'right to decide must reside in the Nepalis, not foreigners" or "need to protect our resources" or the "need to reserve the resources, opportunities, and freedom for Nepalis and not others.' etc. Using such phrases seems to make others receptive, but use of the word nationalism has tended to make some clamp shut their minds, and not to listen to what is being said.
2. We need to keep in touch with other nationalists and exchange ideas so that a coherent nationalist voice emergences.
3. It would expidite things if we could get some group or someone who could coordinate, the ideas in favour of the country. Here, the needs of one's occupations and studies have prevented many taking on such a task completely or whole heartedly.
4. We need to monitor and help organize prompt responses to drown the draconian propaganda launched in the media - the e-media effecting the computer oriented young generation and the international community.
5. We, as many of us have already begun to do, must start debunking and ridiculing the earlier propaganda and vilification efforts.
6. As 'high politics' have now ignored the plight of the people, eg.
price rises, mismanagement, unemployment etc we should draw attention to these aspects to show that socio-economic and geopolitical situation of Nepal does not change with change in regeime or constitution.
7. The suffering of the victims of insurgency is being ignored at this time. We must campaign to give justice to such people.
8. Atrocities, extortions, etc should not be allowed to gain acceptance and legitimacy, or at least not be ingnored. The guilty should be punished, not given power to govern.
9. India's role in Nepal, has to be highlighted especially to the Western audience.
10. The present apprehension of USA etc, should be ridiculed by reminding them that they were also involved in bringing about this situation.
11. It is time we impress the world that, firstly, king Gyanendra's step was a constitutional compulsion begining oct.4 and not feb 1 and that so called democrats went to Delhi to partner maoists instead of adhereing to the constitution and going for the indispensible election. Also need to show that king's effort to bring the Constitution on track collapsed because of this and the Indian and Western governments to prevent him from doing so.
12. Role of Maoists in the April demonstrations and riots, should be highlighted and show how the West goofed in this.
13. It is time also to stress that the past years of political parties interpreting the constitution their way and not allowing the judiciary to do the interpreting contributed to the king being dragged into politics and the public's skepticism regarding the independendence of polls.
14. It is time also to stresss that believing the SPA-M talks will fail to establish democracy, as the majority of dominant parties are Communists. At best we may have a Communist directed democracy, with rights to economic wellbeing, liberalisations, right to possess properties etc being curtailed drastically precluding the motive for investment and therefore development of the country in a globalisation and liberalisation context of this world.
15. Need to impress that insurgents, participating in governance, or coming to government without laying down arms sets the precedent for others to follow this path. The West, ahving given legitimacy to terrorism is to perpetuate and encourage terrorism as a legitimate means to power. It must be stressed that the terrorists have been brought to power with western indulgence already its ramificantions have to be spelled out.
16. It must be shown that election to the Constitutional Assembly is not a democratic exercise in the contest of the real situation in Nepal. Given that the Maoists swept the SPA at the grass roots long ago, that constituent assembly conducted with maoists in government results in Communist style "elections" (not democratic) to construct a Maoist assembly (probably with a few other candidates from other communist parties, just for show) leading to not a democratic constitution but a Maoist constitution.
17. It must be stressed that the terrorists have been brought to power with western indulgence and misconceptions about the situation in Nepal.
18. It should also be highlighted that Maoists are continuing with their coercive programmes and its repercussions need to be brought to the notice of all. One example the other day - St. Xaviers campus students were asked to compulsorily attend an indoctrination class after their final exams on threat of being recorded as absent from the rolls.
But for the Nepali, there is work to do:
1. Unfortunately, the word Nationalism does not seem to convey the same impact that it used to. So I have been using constructs such as, 'for the benefit of the country' or 'right to decide must reside in the Nepalis, not foreigners" or "need to protect our resources" or the "need to reserve the resources, opportunities, and freedom for Nepalis and not others.' etc. Using such phrases seems to make others receptive, but use of the word nationalism has tended to make some clamp shut their minds, and not to listen to what is being said.
2. We need to keep in touch with other nationalists and exchange ideas so that a coherent nationalist voice emergences.
3. It would expidite things if we could get some group or someone who could coordinate, the ideas in favour of the country. Here, the needs of one's occupations and studies have prevented many taking on such a task completely or whole heartedly.
4. We need to monitor and help organize prompt responses to drown the draconian propaganda launched in the media - the e-media effecting the computer oriented young generation and the international community.
5. We, as many of us have already begun to do, must start debunking and ridiculing the earlier propaganda and vilification efforts.
6. As 'high politics' have now ignored the plight of the people, eg.
price rises, mismanagement, unemployment etc we should draw attention to these aspects to show that socio-economic and geopolitical situation of Nepal does not change with change in regeime or constitution.
7. The suffering of the victims of insurgency is being ignored at this time. We must campaign to give justice to such people.
8. Atrocities, extortions, etc should not be allowed to gain acceptance and legitimacy, or at least not be ingnored. The guilty should be punished, not given power to govern.
9. India's role in Nepal, has to be highlighted especially to the Western audience.
10. The present apprehension of USA etc, should be ridiculed by reminding them that they were also involved in bringing about this situation.
11. It is time we impress the world that, firstly, king Gyanendra's step was a constitutional compulsion begining oct.4 and not feb 1 and that so called democrats went to Delhi to partner maoists instead of adhereing to the constitution and going for the indispensible election. Also need to show that king's effort to bring the Constitution on track collapsed because of this and the Indian and Western governments to prevent him from doing so.
12. Role of Maoists in the April demonstrations and riots, should be highlighted and show how the West goofed in this.
13. It is time also to stress that the past years of political parties interpreting the constitution their way and not allowing the judiciary to do the interpreting contributed to the king being dragged into politics and the public's skepticism regarding the independendence of polls.
14. It is time also to stresss that believing the SPA-M talks will fail to establish democracy, as the majority of dominant parties are Communists. At best we may have a Communist directed democracy, with rights to economic wellbeing, liberalisations, right to possess properties etc being curtailed drastically precluding the motive for investment and therefore development of the country in a globalisation and liberalisation context of this world.
15. Need to impress that insurgents, participating in governance, or coming to government without laying down arms sets the precedent for others to follow this path. The West, ahving given legitimacy to terrorism is to perpetuate and encourage terrorism as a legitimate means to power. It must be stressed that the terrorists have been brought to power with western indulgence already its ramificantions have to be spelled out.
16. It must be shown that election to the Constitutional Assembly is not a democratic exercise in the contest of the real situation in Nepal. Given that the Maoists swept the SPA at the grass roots long ago, that constituent assembly conducted with maoists in government results in Communist style "elections" (not democratic) to construct a Maoist assembly (probably with a few other candidates from other communist parties, just for show) leading to not a democratic constitution but a Maoist constitution.
17. It must be stressed that the terrorists have been brought to power with western indulgence and misconceptions about the situation in Nepal.
18. It should also be highlighted that Maoists are continuing with their coercive programmes and its repercussions need to be brought to the notice of all. One example the other day - St. Xaviers campus students were asked to compulsorily attend an indoctrination class after their final exams on threat of being recorded as absent from the rolls.
