It is being reported lately that the
movement started by the Maoist leadership is gradually getting out of their hands. Too
many second grade leaders are itching to assert their own command. Smaller ethnic groups
are breaking away to establish their own on authority. Such tendencies are not only
causing concern to the Maoist high command but also impelling them to negotiate with the
government so that they can maintain their grip on the total movement. Because if such
trends are not nipped in the bud, they will weaken their overall bargaining capability and
also encourage the centrifugal reflexes of smaller minorities, which is sure to cause
irreparable disaster to the country, which, indeed, is not the objective of the Maoists.
Although not fully substantiated the rumors filtering in suggest that the ineffectiveness
of the government is the principal cause of Maoist irresolution. The composition of the
government has failed to inspire the Maoists that they would arrive at any conclusive
finale at the talks with a team which does not command any respect from any quarter nor
authority to conclude any agreement. Consequently, it has become imperative for the
Maoists to insist without any equivocation to deal only with the person who wields the
real authority. And, at the moment, in the absence of an elected government, it is only
the Palace, which exercises the decisive authority. King Gyanendra, who has been forced by
circumstances to steer the country out of all the perilous problems, cannot afford to
prevaricate to take even most unpleasant decisions. And this is one time in our present
history where we have to look back and take lessons from our past experiences. We are
reminded of a common saying "Dogs go on barking but the elephant goes its way".
Moreover, when the dogs are not even native and have alien pedigree, they can be totally
decimated without any humanitarian consideration. Unfortunately, we don't eat dogs.
They say pessimism denotes death and
optimism signified life. So, let us be optimistic and appeal to our traditional friend and
unavoidable neighbor to become more sensitive to our woes hoping they would renounce their
double standard and come out openly and sincerely to our help. Pressurizing a small
neighbor, they must not fail to realize, could be quite counterproductive. They must know,
if there are a few quislings, the majority of Nepalis are patriotic and might not submit
to their pressures. Instead, if they give us the respect and dignity due to us, they can
win our hearts. If what Girija Koirala, the President of the Nepali Congress, says can
give any message to the Indians, they should take note what he said recently. A person who
possesses the brilliance of a "Hawaldar" has said that "India's goodwill is
indispensable to solve our Maoist problem." In the ultimate urgency of rooting out
terrorism from the face of the world, it also becomes the utmost duty of the great country
like India to leave no stone unturned and join hands with their bigger friends without any
reservation whatsoever to fight terrorism so that all nations, big and small, can lea a
safe and secure life. As for our good friends and benefactors further away are concerned,
it is high time they took cognizance of the fact and no more feigned ignorance. Helping us
to fight terrorism while shutting eyes to the burning reality could be nothing but
hypocritical behavior not behoving big nations and super powers when it affects smaller
and poorer countries like Nepal. It is true such behavior could have very significant
impact on their overall interest, if any, at the moment. But they cannot overlook the harm
it might ultimately do to their credibility, which is sure to generate detrimental
repercussions in the days to come. As such, it may not be untoward for us to appeal to our
new friend in town to reconsider their policy of appeasement with their bigger friend at
the cost of the security, survival even, of their smaller friend. In the context of their
unmitigated and renewed commitment to eradicate terrorism from all over the world, it sure
is not a very unreasonable appeal. Since it has become the sole responsibility of King
Gyanendra to convince all of Nepal's friends, the utter necessity of providing all
possible help for bringing to an expeditious end of the mayhem plaguing our small country,
we do trust our good King will not fail us in this trying hour. |
