Expecting a constructive role from Nepalese civil society would be hoping against hope

He is definitely a very straightforward political scientist. He does not mince words. He could be seen actively participating in the Kathmandu's seminar circuit. His very presence makes the proceedings of the seminar lively.

Born in the Terai plains of Dhanusha district in the mid 40s, Monsieur Syed Mohammed Habibullah is at the moment engaged in teaching profession at the Tribhuvan University.

He is Associate Professor of Political Science discipline at the Post Graduate Studies, Central Department of Political Science.

Mr. Habibullah possesses immense experience in this field and is considered to be one of the best teacher of Political Science and is admired by his professional colleagues and the students alike.

His research experience include, among others, participant of Social Science Research Metghodology Training Course-1977 under CEDA, TU; research associate, Kathmandu Town Planning project in 1968 under Home and Panchayat Ministry; research associate for Functioning of District Administration-1969; and had been on Special assignment at the Royal Palace Secretariat (Janch Boojh Samiti under late King Birendra)-1988.

Highly informed and qualified as he is, Mr. Habibullah also is interested in social services. He at the moment shoulders the responsibility of General Secretary at the Sushama Koirala Memorial Trust under Ms. Sujata Koirala-Jost.

Mr. Habibullah attended a workshop and training programme that had been organized by Regional Rural Communication Center of the Asian Institute for Rural Development, Banglore, 1995.

The list goes long.

At the private level, this scribe enjoys very intimate relations with this all-time- happy- scholar since two decades or so.

Last week, the Telegraph weekly approached for an exclusive tête-à-tête with this political scientist on contemporary national events. Mr. Habibullah obliged. Below the results: Chief editor.

TGQ1: The whole nation is just awaiting the final outcome of the Maoists-Government talks. What you, Mr. Habibullah as a senior political scientist of the nation, would wish to comment in this respect? Do you think that after the talks the nation will take a sigh of relief or both the negotiating parties will go their ways if the talks fail? How you see these entire Sir!

Mr. Habibullah: So far the first part of your first question is concerned, in my opinion, if both parties-the Maoists and the NC government are sincere in their efforts to resolve the existing problems by adopting make-shift policy of meeting challenges through change, I think this is right time to do so because of the fact Maoists uprising has in a way provided "impetus" to the democratic lovers to tune the socio-economic institutions according to the desired levels which could have been impossible in a normal situation. If the talks failed, Maoists have to repent, if they are democratic minded because Deuba's government has already shown the political maturity through steps taken in socio-economic field like the recent land reform program and process of social justice, on the other hand the same maturity is expected from the Maoists side to cooperate the government. In absence of this initiative Maoists will be the losers in the sense that the State security system are much more unified now than it was previously. In the state of "divided loyalties" state security agencies, including the bureaucrats, technocrats proved as stumbling block whenever any kind of socio-economical reform steps initiated by the democratic leadership. The controling power of the authorities is not weak as it is considered to be, only non-functional behavior of the political actors led to the success of the Maoists uprising. However, as Deuba has got full support of the state machinery as well as of all partners of democracy which was offing earlier. The success of talk will certainly bring sigh of relief among the people side by side it will enhance the image of both the parties in agreement desirous to sustain democratic system of government in Nepal.

Maoists insurgency could, in a way, be considered "blessing in disguise" for those political actors who are desirous to see a prosperous Nepal.

TGQ2: The majority of the intellectuals have expressed their disillusionment over the present system vis-à-vis its functioning over these "democratic years"'. Where is the fault?/ Is it the default of the system itself or that of those who have been manning the system since well over a decade or so. Your exclusive comments please!

Mr. Habibullah: In a multi-party system obviously things move slow. The majority of the intellectuals of this country are representing anti-democratic traditions and influenced by closely tied-up system of the "'non formal agencies" of the state. Therefore, the causes of their frustrations are more linked up with the new changes "party patronizing system"' in which it became difficult for them to accommodate firstly and secondly the failure of the ruling government to brush out the "old germs" producing system it started dancing according to the tunes of the vested interest groups for "loaf and fishes". The question was either kill the germs or get killed. Therefore it was the fault of the leadership but not of the system as you have put it.

TGQ3: Civil society in a democratic system presumably possesses immense role say political scientists. However, laymen in Nepal do point out that though there has been the existence of such societies in the country, theirs being excessively polarized apparently has diminished its utility in its truest sense of the term. What would be your comment in this context? Please enlighten us.

Mr. Habibullah: The third question put forward by you Mr. Upadhyaya is very interesting indeed. It is true that the civil society plays a crucial role in sustaining the democratic system of government. But alas! In fact, Nepal lacks modern concept of civil society. Because in Nepal the existing so-called civil society is "'antidote" to the democratic civil society which has evolved free from the differences of caste, religion and racial biases based on secular philosophy of life or social unity to solve their own problems without much dependency on the government.

Since in Nepal social differences have had shaped the socio-political structures of the country, it is just hoping against hope to expect the constructive role of the civil society.

TGQ4: To have good governance, the nation must have good governors. However, the fact is that we have just the otherwise which ultimately has facilitated all the evils and malaise to enter into the system. This has visibly eroded the very credibility of the system of today's governance. Do you agree to this school of thought? Will you express your views regarding the state of governance in Nepal? Your opinions please!

Mr. Habibullah: To answer your fourth question first of all I should say that the answer is very much hidden in your question itself. To say so that good governance requires good governor or good governor will provide good governance, is true in the sense the type of people we are, the types of government we get. However, the democratic leadership was engulfed with the dilemma to have easy tasks to rule the country. But immediately they realized, when confronted with socio-economic challenges to sustain the new system "democratic socialism" without demolishing the old institutional norms, on which the old political edifice had been structured, that was uphill task to achieve.

Since it was difficult for them to achieve the goals through peaceful manners, the Maoists movement has created the situation to do so.

TGQ5: Given the very bad shape of the country in practically all the sectors, what you Mr. Habibullah as an enlightened citizen of the nation, expect from the national media? Has the Nepali media remained sincere to its duties which is expected from this sector in a democratic system? Your remarks please!

Mr. Habibullah: Of course the fourth estate has been vigilant and sincere in their duties. They have played very crucial roles during these ten-twelve years of the functioning of the democratic system in Nepal. They have done very commendable jobs to expose those who were enjoying the helms of power forced them to withdraw from the faulty methods of governance. The burning example is the resignation of "G.P.Koirala" from the post of the Prime Minister.

Although Nepal still lacks professional journalism. Nevertheless, to gain popularity some go for vulgarity and some opt for neutrality. The national media of Nepal has both the characters of journalism. But your Telegraph weekly has always stood for maturity.

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