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Kathmandu Monday January 01, 2001 Paush 17, 2057.
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Maintain harmony
The call for Nepal Bandh by a grouping of
nine left parties could not have come at a worse time. The capital and the country has
just passed through a difficult time and there are enough elements on both sides of the
Nepal-India border ever ready to fish in troubled waters. But what is distressing is that
they may be succeeding in fuelling the fire by misguiding the simple-minded people. The
burst of anger that was expressed in the capital last week has been misinterpreted as
indicating that it was directed against one particular community only. Nothing could be
further from the truth. The rioters in the capital were indiscriminate and made no
distinction between various communities and ethnic groups that live harmoniously in the
Kingdom. It would be more tragic and a great disservice to the nation, if the incidents
are taken in any other way, than youths giving vent to their pent- up frustration. Nepal
has always been known to everyone as a place were various communities have been living for
ages in close affinity and harmony. This must not be allowed to be disturbed by unhealthy
elements. Nepal is a country that is home to countless ethnic groups with vastly different
life styles and food habits and social customs, mores and norms. Because of this
multi-ethnic and cultural heritage, there is always the possibility that unscrupulous
elements out to make political capital of the situation will exploit the situation to
their own advantage. One might pause and think as to who reaps most benefits by prolonging
the adverse situation which has returned to normal in the capital since late Thursday.
The people of Nepal are a peace loving lot. No
matter where they live - whether in the high mountains, hills or the plains of the Terai -
whether they are called "pahadiyas" or "madisiyas", they have known no
hostility towards each others. They know that they are all Nepalese and work together for
the development of their country, Nepal. Yet there are elements in political parties and
outside who try to show that there are fissures where there is none and who try to break
up the harmonious and happy relations amongst the people in the hope of creating vote
banks. Such designs are most deplorable and we must ensure that no one succeeds in
breaking the solidarity of the Nepali people whether they are "pahadiyas" or
"madisiyas". Our prime national duty at this time is to make sure that we
maintain peace and harmony in our country.
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