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| Kathmandu, Saturday February 01, 2003 Magh 18, 2059. |
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Resisting
adversity
By RITENDRA TAMANG
The deployment of
government forces to suppress the Maoist movement and the counter resistances of Maoists
is continually and systematically undermining Nepal’s democracy. The prolonged
political uncertainty that has resulted from these events has fractured the nation’s
social and economic structures. Indeed, such political violence has become a daily
phenomenon in Nepal and ordinary citizens have been grossly victimised by the
politically-driven internal conflict, which commonly involves abductions, massacres,
violations of human rights, and the destruction of public properties. In short, the
current domestic situation offers no prospect of a peaceful and secure Nepal for its
citizens.
While addressing such
fear-provoking occurrences, one should realise that Nepal’s prevalent social,
political, and economic conflicts are derived from different sources. Such diverse causes
include the lack of some basic needs such as education, employment opportunities, health
care, adequate sanitation, clean water, and a general environment of a comprehensive,
inter-related strategy of support amongst these different factors. Rather than working
together in a concerted effort to identify and prioritise problems, determine the best
solutions, and begin the process of implementing solutions, there have been consistent
adverse interactions between the different agendas of the Maoists and the local
government. Such internal conflict has tended to distract attention away from the
immediate situation and ordinary citizens have suffered the most.
In fact, the people of
Nepal have been repeatedly manipulated by untrue promises given by various political
parties. It is to the credit of the spirit of the Nepalese that, despite past
disappointments with unfulfilled promises, they continue to hope and aspire for the
success of new plans that come their way. To date no promises or implementation of plans
have been fully met. The majority of the population, which lives in rural areas, comprise
those who have been most marginalised by the paternalistic rhetoric of the ruling
political party. Past and present actions of each political party, including the Maoists,
have clearly demonstrated that the maintenance of power and control is the foremost
priority in establishing one’s party dominance. I contend that the common interests
of the people should superimpose any party’s inclinations to promote factionalism and
terror, that is, situations that reduce the effectiveness of a working democracy. For the
sake of Nepal and its people, such arrogant party priorities must change immediately in
order to bring hope for a sustained peace.
The design of any
potential solutions for the many problems of Nepal should include the contributions of its
citizens so that relevant voices of inquiry readily represent actual personal experiences
within the context of the escalating destruction and violence in the community. In this
way then the community’s collective voices will challenge the destructive dynamics of
terror caused by Maoist insurgents and the coercions of power by the government, which
includes various political parties that tend to prioritise their individual political
agendas over national interest—ordinary citizen’s viewpoints will strengthen the
practice of democracy by creating an overlapping layer of political involvement that
presents alternative solutions that refuse the use of force. Such prevalent community
resistance against ongoing dominant oppressive practices will bring about the
transformation of the country towards a more democratic Nepal.
The insurgents and the
interim government of Nepal have both expressed their interest and willingness to conduct
an ongoing dialogue related to a common resolution regarding current conflicts. This
recent development provides hope to many that peace may be negotiated soon. In order to
sustain this momentum of expectations, citizens must adopt the role of proactive
participants in the political process by taking meaningful initiatives that urge the
government and political parties, including the Maoists, to initiate a peace process and
address the forced displacements, rising violence, heightened insecurity, and social and
economic degradation that have resulted from the irresponsible past actions of the
insurgents and government. Such initiatives will promote democratic principles since
problems would be systematically identified and resolved, and foster the peaceful
democratic participation of political, economic, and social institutions.
Such participatory
efforts will also strengthen ordinary citizens’ confidence that it is their civil
right and responsibility to hold other members of society accountable for their actions,
which will challenge the imposition of any one political interest and its ideology. The
restoration of a particular regime to power is concentrated in the hands of a few. The
people of Nepal should raise public awareness about political issues by actively
coordinating a systematic investigation process regarding the intentions and conduct of
government officials and the insurgents (ie, issues of accountability and responsibility).
Initiatives or negotiations regarding any agenda must be guided by the common objective of
bettering fundamental national issues for all citizens, such as social justice, economic
equity, comprehensive health care, and education.
The Nepalis have the
right to know what the Maoists are doing to ensure their agendas are something more than
strategic expansionist demands upon Nepal’s sovereignty. Also, Nepali must constantly
inquire regarding the accountability of the government in the implementation of national
programmes and to what degree the judicial system will be accountable in protecting their
rights as humans. The Nepalis must challenge the government to strengthen the
effectiveness of the state without allowing themselves to be co-opted or without losing
their autonomy and independence.
This participatory
approach would create political venues and solutions in response to the current crisis and
lack of representation of public interest, and would reiterate the need for a negotiated
political solution that is both non-military and non-violent in nature. Such an approach
demands that the insurgents and the government exercise unconditional respect for public
life and its infrastructures. Government must acknowledge that acts of violence and terror
suppress responsible participation and encourage continued chaos and destruction. As long
as defenseless people are the victims of violence, public skepticism of those in power
will prevail.
Alas, it does not
suffice for purposes of meaningful analysis to merely point out the flaws of government or
bemoan its weaknesses. Through the use of appropriate formal and informal channels of
participation in the making of public decisions, specifically within the local sphere,
citizens should exercise their right to exert their presence and leadership to generate a
healthy strengthening of institutions. Nepali themselves must bear a collective
responsibility to act as an instrument of democratic change. They must be constant and
firm in demanding political accountability from those who claim to be representatives of
political ideals.
All efforts that
motivate ordinary citizens, intellectuals, and all others concerned with conducting the
proposed dialogue and plan of actions to overcome issues of political and social
disruption in a manner that allows and provides assurances of security should be promoted.
A continual monitoring mechanism that assists in the maintenance of the productive
coordination between pertinent political representatives must be implemented in order to
achieve true peace in the country. It will be through meaningful, relevant dialogue that
Nepal will discover its peaceful, reconciliatory and collaborative solutions for the
re-allocation of precious economic and social resources.
The Nepalis must reject
violence as a method to initiate political change or as a tool to obtain strategic
revolutionary gains. They must work together to defeat fear and to reconstruct hope. The
interest of a few must not be allowed to paralyse the hopes of millions!
(The article was
written before the truce between the government and the Maoists)
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