5 Questions The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)

5 Q U E S T I O N S

The State must create space for self-rule through federal character of decentralized system

-Professor Syed Habibullah, Head, Central Department of Political Science, T.U

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, Mr. Syed Mohammed Habibullah at the moment Heads the Political Science Department at the Tribhuvan University.

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

His research experience include, among others, participant of Social Science Research Methodology 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.

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: Nepali situation is moving from bad to worse. Who is to be blamed? Is it the Monarch or the political parties or the Maoists? Your comments please!

Prof. Habibullah: To answer your first question, it is a little difficult for me to put blame on any one party. The present situation of Nepal is the outcome of long awaited Reforms in Government Organs. How to tune them up according to the demands of the people should be the duty of the establishment. In my opinion, it has got to be corrected as soon as possible?

The State is now weak. The traditional Institution has actually, as I see it, blocked the path of Progress and Development in Nepal.

TGQ2: The King appears adamant on having elections. International community and the agitating political parties conclude that elections can’t be held in a crisis like situation that is prevalent today. As a senior political scientist, how you Professor would sum up the contradictory observations coming as it does from different quarters?

Prof. Habibullah: There is no easy escape without solving sovereign problems, which is indivisible, and inseparable as well. It must be decided whether the sovereignty of this country lies with the King or with the people? Then only the majority lots will be decided. The talk of securing political legitimacy through elections in a peaceful atmosphere is in doubt simply because how can the elections be held when there is no peace in the country?

Therefore, there must be dialogue for peace among all contending political parties to restore peace first through direct talk or Mediation of International agency like the UN or other competent international agencies.

TGQ3: India of late has been providing an impression that she was serious on Nepali concerns by arresting Maoists leaders taking shelter in her territory. Do you see any political interest in her changed attitude?

Prof. Habibullah: India being an immediate neighbor of Nepal as well as a "Regional Power", her concern in Nepal at the time of disturbances is quite obvious.

The present appeasement policy of India shown towards existing government by arresting some of the Maoists leaders’ is not without strategy of war against terrorism.

Because India’s role in Nepal right from 1950 has been very clear. India loves both the People and the King of Nepal and had always kept them at a comfortable distance.

TGQ4: The government assumes Maoists a weakened force. Maoists have demonstrated in Bhojpur and Beni that they are not. How to break the ice? Do you posses any formulae, which could bring the two enemies to the table? What about the UN mediation? Should we or shouldn’t we go in for UN efforts?

Prof. Habibullah: To one, both contending parties are in a weak position. One lacks armaments and ammunitions and the other lacks political vision. Of course, Maoists cannot match with "State organized force". But they have good tactical moves and clarity of vision so far as the mobilization of the people is concerned.

Regarding the breaking the ice formulae, I have been advocating, as you know it better, time and again that no other than the King can solve this problem. Because he only possesses the position of Head of the State and Status of a benevolent Monarch. The government perhaps still believes that the existing problem would be solved without any outside mediation. The government differs on UN mediation because it has come a choice of the Maoists.

TGQ5: Root cause of the conflict is considered to be the social exclusion of those in minority. How you view the situation as you come from a population that is in minority? Do you feel dominated, excluded, exploited and ignored? What is the solution to the problem? Your comments please!

Prof. Habibullah: Your last question is about root causes of Maoist insurgency and you have already answered the question by mentioning social exclusion. It is very pivotal point to understand the problems. So far as the question of Muslim minority in Nepal is concerned, it had lost its upper status right in 1857 A.D. Since then Muslims are facing untold miseries and humiliations in Asia, Africa and all over the world.

In Nepal, the fact is that minority ruling castes groups are constantly dominating the state power structures and the majority populations are left outside in the cold and have merely remained as poor spectators. Now the Maoists are taking advantage of that very cause.

The solution of present problem is simple in the sense that in the 21st century no body likes centralization of power. The state must create space for self-rule through federal character of decentralized system, which is a basis for democratic participation on equal basis.