Nepal: Regional and caste disparities incite terrorism-2
Terrorism in the Nepali Context

-Hemlata Rai, Kathmandu

However, the problem with religions in 21st century is that they have become more of an identity issue than faith. That is why a worldwide wave of religious revival at the end of the 20th century has not produced relative peace and harmony in the world. If we look closely at individual cases around the globe, we will find that the revival is less of religiosity than of cultural identities based on religious affiliation. In other words, there may not be any great ferment taking place in the world of religious ideas, beliefs, rituals, or any marked increase in the sum of hu8man spirituality. Where the resurgence is most visible is in the organization of collective identities around religion, in the formation and strengthening of communities of believers. What we are witnessing today is less the revival of religion than of communalism where a community of believers on only has religious affiliations but also social, economic and political interest in common which may conflict with the corresponding interests of another community of believers.

The Hindu-Muslim clash in Nepalganj in 1997 is an example – a mishandling of a Muslim by a Hindu was interpreted as an attack against group identity. Backed up by the Muslims across the border with India, the Nepali Musalmans attacked Hindu homes and businesses, while the Shiva Sena promptly acted and attacked their "opponents" in order to protect their own Hindu identity. The clash cost a few lives and considerable property and created a permanent crevice between these two communities.

Hence, when religion becomes a tool to assert one’s identity and to pursue ones economic, social and cultural interests, people are bound to clash, thereby, providing space for terrorism.

Solution

It is apparent that people engaged in conflict or those outside it for that mater, often lack a clear sense of what the conflict is about and why they are involved in it. For instance, the Kiratis of the violent Kirat Rastriya Morcha in the eastern hills of Nepal are not necessarily able to analyse that their conflict with the present institution has a historical background. The previous institution denied them their ethnic identity and prejudice in mindset of the present decision-makers persists.

On the other hand, people outside often demonise those involved in conflict and refuse to understand the point the other side is trying to make, which further complicates the situation. The most privileged pahade groups (hill people) who represent the majority at the policymaking levels often forget that fact that the rise of the Madheshi Mukti Morcha is caused by the state denying the Madheshis, communities from Nepal’s southern plains, participation in decision making.

Democracy with balanced distribution of opportunities and representation is the solution to conflicts and potentials of terrorism. In Nepal the government has not discovered a judicial way to address the brewing ethnic unrest in the population, which is already sympathetic towards the Maoists. The might intensify even if the government succeeds in finding a political accommodation with the Maoist Party.

As far as the Maoist insurgency is concerned their demand for a Constituent Assembly remains a tricky issue. But in a democracy the people decide; exercising this democratic right may be the answer. Dissolving Parliament and calling for a general election cum referendum in which people will simultaneously vote for their representatives and decide on the Constituent Assembly might be solution.

However, there is no alternative to the immediate initiation of a dialogue to end this futile war.

The author is a correspondent of the Nepali Times, Kathmandu. Text courtesy: Liberal Times, volume X/Number 1,2002, a publication of the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, New Delhi.

A look into the Maoists demands put for its acceptance by the Nepal government

I. Demands Related to Nationalism:

Regarding the 1950 Treaty between India and Nepal, all unequal stipulations and agreements should be removed

The Government (HMG) should admit that the anti-nationalist Tanakpur agreement was wrong, and the Mahakali Treaty, incorporating the same, should be nullified.

The entire Nepal-Indian border should be controlled and systematized. Cars with Indian number-plates, which are plying the roads of Nepal, should not be allowed.

Gorkha recruiting centers should be closed and decent jobs should be arranged for the recruits.

In several areas of Nepal, where foreign technicians are given precedence over Nepali Technicians for certain local jobs, a system of work permits should be instituted for the foreigners.

The monopoly of foreign capital in Nepal’s industry, trade and economic sector should be stopped.

Sufficient income should be generated from customs duties for the country’s economic development.

The cultural pollution of imperialists and expansionists should be stopped. Hindi video, cinema, and all kinds of such newspapers and magazines should be completely stopped. Inside Nepal, import and distribution of vulgar Hindi films, videocassettes and magazines should be stopped.

Regarding NGOs and INGOs: bribing by imperialists and expansionists in the name of NGOs and INGOs should be stopped.

II. Demands Related to the Public and its Well-being:

A new constitution has to be drafted by the people’s elected representatives.

All the special rights and privileges of the King and his family should be ended.

Army, police and administration should be under the peoples’ control.

The Security Act and all other repressive acts should be abolished.

All the false charges against the people of Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Gorkha, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, Dhanusha and Ramechap should be withdrawn and all the people falsely charged should be released.

Armed police operations in the different districts should immediately be stopped.

Regarding Dilip Chaudhary, Bhuvan Thapa Magar, Prabhakar Subedi and other people who disappeared from police custody at different times, the government should constitute a special investigating committee to look into these crimes and the culprits should be punished and appropriate compensation given to their families.

People who died during the movement should be declared as martyrs and their families, and those who have been wounded and disabled should be given proper compensation. Strong action should be taken against the killers.

Nepal should be declared a secular state.

Girls should be given equal property rights to those of their brothers.

All kinds of exploitation and prejudice based on caste should be ended. In areas having a majority of one ethnic group, that group should have autonomy over that area.

The status of dalits as untouchables should be ended and the system of untouchability should be ended once and for all.

All language should be given equal status. Up to the middle high school level (uccha-madhyamic) arrangements should be made for education to be given in the children’s mother tongue.

There should be guarantee of free speech and free press. The communications media should be completely autonomous.

Intellectuals, historians, artists and academicians engaged in other cultural activities should be guaranteed intellectual freedom.

In both the terai and hilly regions there is prejudice and misunderstanding in backward areas. This should be ended and the backward areas should be assisted. Good relations should be established between the villages and the city.

Decentralization in real terms should be applied to local areas, which should have local rights, autonomy and control over their own resources.

III Demands Related to the People’s Living:

Those who cultivate the land should own it. (The tiller should have right to the soil he/she tills.) The land of rich landlords should be confiscated and distributed to the homeless and others who have no land.

Brokers and commission agents should have their property confiscated and that money should be invested in industry.

All should be guaranteed work and should be given a stipend until jobs are found for them.

The government (HMG) should pass strong laws ensuring that people involved in industry and agriculture should receive minimum wages.

The homeless should be given suitable accommodation. Until the government (HMG) can provide such accommodation they should not be removed from where they are squatting.

Poor farmers should be completely freed from debt. Loans from the Agricultural Development Bank by poor farmers should be completely written off. Small industries should be given loans.

Fertilizer and seeds should be easily and cheaply available, and the farmers should be given a proper market price for their production.

Flood and drought victims should be given all necessary help.

All should be given free and scientific medical service and education and education for profit should be completely stopped.

Inflation should be controlled and salaries of labourers should be raised in direct ratio with the rise in prices. Daily essential goods should be made cheap and easily available.

Arrangements should be made for drinking water, good roads, and electricity in the villages.

Cottage and other small industries should be granted special facilities and protection.

Corruption, black marketing, smuggling, bribing, the taking of commissions, etc. should all be stopped.

Orphans, the disabled, the elderly and children should be given help and protection.

(Compiled by the Telegraph Weekly)

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