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| LETTERS |
Rule Of The Games It is absolutely true that tolerance, patience and respect for institutions and the rule of law are the basic tenets of pluralistic politics ("Culture Of Intolerance", SPOTLIGHT, April 20). Unfortunately, our political leaders have preferred to violate these rules of the game, thereby inviting the current anarchy in the country. Until and unless these pre-requisites of democracy are fulfilled, the nation will continue to encounter violence, conflicts, corruption and a host of other ills. Diwakar Thapa Threat From Within Your cover story "Culture of Intolerance" (SPOTLIGHT, April 20) provided an insight into our political culture — which is the root cause of all the problems the country is facing today. I found your piece to be an excellent review of the way our democratic system is functioning. The quotation from the renowned political scientist Samuel Huntington, about how threats to Third World democracies come from within the participants of the process, is quite apt in Nepal’s case. It is because of the behavior of our own leaders that the system is now under threat. Are our leaders listening? Bishal Gurung Critical Point Nepal today is in a critical point of its history ("Culture of Intolerance", SPOTLIGHT, April 20). Assaults on the present establishment are getting increasingly violent from several quarters. The birthplace of Lord Buddha faces the threat of growing intolerance. The people are confused, the leaders are indifferent, and certain elements are taking advantage of this chaotic situation. The people and leaders must now come together to forge a strong alliance to keep such elements at bay. Ganesh KC Unholy Alliances The history of the last ten years of democracy in Nepal shows that our political leaders have gone to unimaginable lengths to hold on to power ("Culture of Intolerance", SPOTLIGHT, April 20). They have had no qualms in sharing power with the erstwhile panchayati leaders they supposedly fought to overthrow. They have not stopped from bringing down their own government. Whether these weird actions are the result of the immaturity of our leaders or an indication of their outright disrespect to morality and ethics, they have led to growing cynicism among the people over the efficacy of the multiparty democratic system. Pravin Shakya No Alternative? It is true that Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has sought to convince the Nepalese people that he does not have a serious challenger ("Koirala Gains Strength", SPOTLIGHT, April 13). His opponents, inside the party and outside, seem helpless in front of him. Koirala effortlessly won his battle to take possession of the prime minister’s post against his main rival Sher Bahadur Deuba. Despite the deadlock in the winter session of parliament and street protests led by the main opposition party demanding his resignation over his involvement in Lauda Air scandal, Koirala has handled the situation tactfully. Though millions of ordinary people do not want to see him as prime minister of Nepal, it is to our disgust that there is no alternative. Koirala continues to lead this poor, underdeveloped country almost by default. Subhash Lohani Burning Issue Piracy and infringement of intellectual property rights is a burning issue around the world. Your article on music piracy ("Haunted By The Theft", SPOTLIGHT, April 20) provided information about the situation here. It is unfortunate that the authorities do not seem serious about checking piracy. If the situation persists, there will come a day when our creative talents will stop working. Why should they work if some thieves are allowed to copy their works and gain therefrom? Govinda Bhattarai Pathetic Condition The article "Security Lapses" (SPOTLIGHT, April 20) highlighted how weak our security apparatus is. By vacating outlying police posts, the authorities have literally allowed the insurgents to gain control over a big area. The Maoists have done their homework by providing their cadres with training and motivation to hit at a demoralized police force. In the absence of motivation, good weapons and reinforcements, the police have become sitting ducks in front of the insurgents. Sadly, it is low-level police personnel who are being slaughtered. Dinesh Shrestha Let Nepal Learn The recent Bangladesh-India border clash was indeed very unfortunate. Why the two close neighbors come to blows may seem enigmatic to many? But looking at the general euphoria here generated by the violent incidents, it seems the Bangladeshis had no option. The frequent needling by the superior might, the domineering attitude of the bigger neighbor had started becoming unbearable. When the provocation became unbearable, the Bangladeshis wanted to show to the world that even a giant like India cannot subdue a small country. Indiaís hegemonistic policies had been hurting the pride of the Bangladeshi people. Knowing fully well that they cannot match their might, the Bangladeshis were forced to act the way they did. This must come as a good lesson to the domineering Indians that it never pays to belittle even a small and powerless neighbor. If we Nepalese could learn something from such unfotunate incident, the Indians may change their behavior towards us and start honoring the international norms. Our politicians and government are too much under the Indian thumb and cannot act like the Bangladeshis. However, we here do hope that there are some nationalist forces in our country also who know how to safeguard their and their countryís honor. This tragic incident may also open the eyes of the Indian statesmen that their smaller and weaker neighbors should not be taken for granted. Kindly publish this letter in your esteemed weekly so that this message should go to all patriotic Nepalis. The Nepali students |
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