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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
On Pluralism Sanjaya Sherchan analyzes
the democracy and pluralism in changed context By A CORRESPONDENT Following the restoration of democracy and opening up of the political system, many books have been written analyzing various phenomena of transformation of Nepalese society. As soon as the country embraced democratic forms of government, a number of different groups came out demanding their share. From women to Janjatis and Dalit to Madhesiyas and Newar, all became vocal at once. With a view to consider and fulfill all their demands, the successive governments have already constituted different organizations to look into the matters related to different groups. Based on an MA thesis in Sociology, the book deals with various forms of democratic experiments in Nepal and inquires its role in Nepalese context. Experiences have shown that the process of democratization is long and arduous but it is the only system where people of different ethnic groups and caste can express their voices. Talking about the issues of ethnicity, caste, language and color were considered crime in the past Panchayat days but the democratic system gave opportunities to everyone on whatever they want to say and/or write. This openness is, itself, the major achievement of the last 14 years. As the book is based on an MA thesis, Sherchan has predominantly cited theoretical and philosophical context to analyze the democratic, pluralism and change in Nepalese society. From the experiment of democracy in a traditional society and its transformation, particularly between 1846 to 1951, Sherchan has delved into various phases. Nepal lies north of India and it is home to many different kinds of caste, language and ethnicity like India. In fact, it is a miniature of whole of South Asia consisting of all types of ethnic and lingual communities. Since Nepal's society is plural, the democratic experiments paved way for expressing the anger of different ethnic groups as well as Dalits and others, who were suppressed earlier. Democracy is a system where decision is made on the basis of vote. But Sherchan argues that there are still discrimination and oppression against indigenous and Dalit by the so-called Brahmin and Chettri. To prove his point, Sherchan tries to study various phases of Nepalese society. The author also analyzes how only certain group had monopoly over power and influence. Despite certain guarantees in constitution, a large number of indigenous ethnic groups and Dalits are yet to receive fair chances in politics. Thanks to their continuous pressures and demands, the government is compelled to announce certain programs like reservation to ensure the participation of indigenous and backward communities like Dalits. The book has certain limitations as it is confined to prescribed course but Sherchan has made efforts to include all different aspects and opinions of indigenous community. "But something has to be said here - Nepal faces the challenge of building democracy from below, by empowering people with real authority to manage and decide their affairs by themselves," writes Sherchan in his concluding paragraph. People from different casts, ethnic groups could find the place to express their own discontentment and grievances only after the restoration of democracy. Democracy, Pluralism and Change |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
