The
festive season of Dashain and Tihar is over. But, the dark clouds of insecurity hanging
over the heads of the poor countrymen deprived all the charm and joyousness of the
festivities from the hearts of the poor Nepalis. The few fortunates who could get together
without losing a friend or relative in the heartrending civil war too could not enjoy the
festivities as the atmosphere was too dismal for merry making. The restrictions imposed by
the government even on peaceful processions and singing and dancing of Bhailo and Deusi
are, indeed, clear proofs that situation, even in the capital, is not under their control.
The singing and dancing of Bhailo and Deusi is the inseparable part of Nepali culture
connected with Tihar. How can anybody even visualize Tihar without groups of happy boys
and girls and enthusiastic men and women singing and dancing Bhailo and Deusi from door to
door? Surya Bahdadur Thapa is, perhaps, the first head of the government in the history of
Nepal who has failed to provide enough security to the Nepali people even to celebrate
Tihar in the traditional manner. We had unambiguously expressed our disapproval on his
nomination to head the government at this critical juncture. When the whole country is
totally disenchanted with corrupt politicians and is earnestly looking for a strong, clean
and honest leadership, feeble men with unsavory past are, indeed, very wrong choice.
Moreover, in the absence of a representative government when the Palace has to bear all
the brunt of a failed administration and when the unscrupulous politicians are trying
their hardest to find a scapegoat to pin the responsibility for the prevailing chaos and
lawlessness, giving in to loaded advice can only harm the nation's interests while eroding
the image of monarchy at the same time. Nepal cannot endure the insurgency for long like
other countries suffering from similar situation because of its geography, extreme poverty
and insensitive neighbor whose real intentions are not only clouded in mystery but
outright suspect. And when the King's men cannot distinguish between patriotism and
parochialism it can be well imagined what kind of information the King is fed with. This
is exactly why we have been insisting that the King must give top priority to find
advisers with vision, integrity and nationalism. And he must invite, welcome and
appreciate constructive criticisms also. Because, in this twenty first century sycophancy
will only engender grave problems and surely land one in serious peril. He just cannot
afford to ignore the public opinion and give the Nelson's eye to the writings on the wall.
The
eight year long insurgency, which has perpetrated great hardships on the poor Nepalis
besides costing thousands of precious human lives must be brought to an early end. The
corrupt politicians who have been directly responsible for pushing the poor country to
this terrible situation should have been brought to justice and meted out just punishment
long back. But, since corruption has become a way of life in Nepal, most of the corrupt
politicians have gone scot free and are strutting like cocks. When the country is devoid
of a representative government and the nominated politicians can exercise their authority
only in limited areas, the longer it takes to bring the Maoists to the peace talks the
greater the danger of the country becoming a failed state. It is the overwhelmingly poor
and exploited people who have been mostly affected by the insurgency. It is they who have
been displaced and become refugees in their own country and put to unimaginable hardships.
And it is they who have mostly lost their near and dear ones, whether in the security
forces, the Maoists or the general public. As they have been totally disillusioned with
the unscrupulous politicians and political parties that have wielded authority in the last
twelve years, their only hope for any kind of succor and relief is the King. The greater
the delay in rescuing them from all the impending dangers and uncertainties, the
greater the possibility of their deep faith in monarchy being shaken. As it is, the
increasing disorientation against the monarchy all over the Kingdom has already alienated
a large number of people from their centuries old perspective towards the revered
institution. In the face of continued anti-monarchy propaganda and provocations, the
unbearable miseries generated by the killing, loot and arson are making it extremely
difficult for the poor and deprived to persevere with their unshakable trust in the
monarchy. We do trust King Gyanendra no more lives in the ivory tower and is being fully
and honestly briefed about the changing proclivities of the peoples. Since such tendencies
are sure to incur incalculable harm to the unity and solidarity of the nation they have to
be nipped in the bud. But looking at the behavior of the newly appointed aids in the
palace, there is ample room for skepticism. The recent denial of royal audience to the
special British emissary Sir Geoffrey James is a case in point. King Gyanendra must be
made fully aware of such phenomena. And he must not hesitate to take prompt action before
any irreparable damage is done. King Gyanendra inherited the throne in a bizarre situation
when the country had been facing stupendous problems, when politics in the country had
sunk to the lowest ebb being gripped by unprecedented corruption, total maladministration
and devastating anti-national behavior of the ruling politicians. Since, we have moved
much further away from authoritarianism and there is absolutely no alternative to a
representative government, King Gyanendra has to focus his whole attention in solving the
Maoist insurgency through dialogues without delay. Use of force would only result in
unnecessary loss of many more of his own subjects while aggravating the problem further.
Disregarding the will of his own people for the transitory assurances of alien friends
might contribute to tide over the problem for the time being. But it will not cure the
disease permanently. The goodwill, loyalty and unstinted cooperation of his own people has
not only to be kept intact but strengthened further in the interest of the institution and
solidarity of the country. We are sure, since his one and only interest should be the
well-being of his people, he would not be swayed by any partisan feelings like the
politicians. The Thapa government is only concentrating on strengthening its party's
position in the forthcoming elections, unmindful of other pressing priorities. As such,
King Gyanendra must not lose anytime in replacing the Thapa government with a caretaker
government of honest and patriotic persons of unimpeachable integrity which will negotiate
peace with the Maoists and hold the general elections. Since neither the people nor the
political parties have any faith in Prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa's words, the King,
himself, must announce the dates for elections and reassure the Maoist leaders that he
would be willing to preside over the peace talks if they listen to reason. The Maoists,
too, if they have any love for their country and respect for human lives, must immediately
stop their insurgency and come down to the negotiating table. They must not fail to
understand that they have to join the mainstream politics for their own political
survival. We know, we can only take the horse to the water, we cannot make it drink. |
