Terai Tantrums
The prolonged agitation in Terai is taking its toll (“Confused Leadership, Derailed Polity & Bewildered People SPOTLIGHT February 2). From scarcity of petroleum products to fast spreading disappointment and frustration among the people, the unrest is likely to have far-reaching consequences. As there are no signs of cessation of the unrest anytime soon, the people are getting anxious how the peace process will turn out to be.
Jitesh Karki
Kumaripati
Confused Nation
As per your cover story (“Confused Leadership, Derailed Polity & Bewildered People SPOTLIGHT February 2), the whole Nepali nationhood seems to be headed towards grave trouble. The country itself is confused, not only the leadership. There are no sane voices coming out from any quarter these days. Everyone seems have their own idea of resolving the crisis. Some say the adoption of Proportional Representation system will do the job while others claim that federal restructuring is the answer. There are still people who claim that solution to all ills of this nation lies in the declaration of republic state. But none of their arguments hold any water. And none of these solutions could actually reverse the growing tide of frustration against this nation indicated by grievances put forth by ethnic communities, Janjatis, Dalits and so on.
Girish Tamang
Ghattekula
What’s The Core Demand?
It is still unclear – as far as one studies comments made by so many analysts, experts and agitation organizers – what are the core demands of the Madhesi people (“Confused Leadership, Derailed Polity & Bewildered People SPOTLIGHT February 2). It does not look likely that so many thousands of common people would come to the streets just on the basis of technical demands like proportional representation system. It is also highly unlikely that so many people could have been compelled to agitate by reactionaries or royalists. Therefore, one has to look deeper into the centuries-long discrimination meted out by mainstream society against Madhesi people. It looks as if the people of Madhes chose to organize mass uprising this time to end ethnic discriminations. As such, the people of Nepal must rise to the occasion and vow to correct their mistakes and weaknesses. In a new Nepal , no Nepali should feel discriminated based on caste, color or creed.
Bikram Singh
Gairidhara
Whither CA Polls?
The growing unrest in Terai has poured cold water over the preparations to hold the elections for the Constituent Assembly (“Confused Leadership, Derailed Polity & Bewildered People SPOTLIGHT February 2). The commissioners at the Election Commission are openly commenting that they still lack necessary legislative back-up to spearhead election campaign. They have been troubled by the strikes in Terai. It is quite clear that there would be delay in the holding of CA polls. But nobody dares spell this much out in public fearing the Maoist backlash. Maoist leaders have publicly stated that they will launch nationwide revolt if there is any delay in CA polls. So, it is now very unpredictable what course the nation will take in the coming days.
Nishant Joshi
Battisputali
Capital Environment Woes
The report about the worsening situation of air and river pollution in Nepal (“Signs of Distress” SPOTLIGHT February 2) came out at a time when a global report has also been released, which states that man-made global warming is no longer a myth. It has now been scientifically attested that global warming is actually occurring and it is being caused by human activities. Nepal being a mountainous country with fragile environment, is at an unfortunate position. Global warming is likely to cause disastrous implications for Nepal such as glacial lake outburst floods or glacial recession or climate change. Although Nepal can do little to control global warming, it has to start studying about likely impacts on it. That way, may be we can prepare some plans to avoid dangerous effects.
Kiran Rai
Sanepa
Judiciary In Problem
The interview with the recently elected president of Nepal Bar Association Bishwo Kanta Mainali (SPOTLIGHT February 2) showed that there are big problems in the interim constitution as far as independence of judiciary is concerned. Like he said, one cannot imagine a democratic polity without independent judiciary. The independence of judiciary must be fiercely protected against any executive or legislative excesses. At a time when leaders are talking about amending interim constitution to address demands of Terai people, they would do well to change provisions to guarantee the independence of judiciary as well.
Chet Nath Bhattarai
Sallaghari
