It is time the Monarch ventilates his mind over the issue of the Constituent Assembly

Kabir Rana, Chief Editor, The Deshantar Weekly

As the luck would have it, I began my career in newspaper writing in a weekly that I edit today. Well within a short span of some fourteen years, from a correspondent I have had the honor to edit the Deshantar Weekly. In effect, I entered into this profession in the year 1989.

My appetite to join this sector has some links with my involvement in the publication of school-magazines by being in the editorial board of the school where I studied.

Active journalism? It started the day I joined the Deshantar weekly which I suppose still continues with the same power and vigor what I had in my primary days some one and a half decade ago.

As a matter of fact, when I joined this area, it was then a sort of "mission journalism" and the one point agenda being the restoration of democratic order by overthrowing the erstwhile regime. It was not a commercial journalism then. However, today is different. It is more commercial than what it used to be mission journalism. I tell you frankly that today commercial journalism is more viable than the mission journalism. But then yet we still have a mission and that being the strengthening and the consolidation of the present democratic order. That way yes! We still have a mission.

I believe in the theory that "democracy and press-freedom" are interwoven and the one can't remain in isolation with the other. Both are inseparable and if one tries to separate these two vital components, it would be a real disaster indeed.

Media's role? It was tremendous and very powerful indeed during the period of the 1990s.

Admittedly, the media sector was the key player in the 1990 movement. These days as well, we the Nepali media men have been acting like watchdog and remain watchful in maintaining the political stability in the country.

Frankly speaking, if there is any institution after 2004 October 4 move, which provides one with the feeling that democratic system still existed in the nation then it is the writings of the press. This should perhaps explain the vibrancy of Nepali media and the power it wields. Regarding professionalism in media, well, it has increased indeed and this profession has also become a bread-earner for scores of media men in the country. It was not when I joined this area.

Professionalism in its truest sense of the term is ever increasing in the sense that we have journalism as a course even in schools and colleges and in the university as well. This means that those who come out of those institutions should have enough knowledge in the subject. This means that those who prefer to enter into this sector are not only educated but possess required knowledge about journalism. This is a very positive aspect.

I wouldn't claim that we all in the media sector were all "sacrosanct". It is not that. We have some "apples" and concurrently some "rotten eggs" as well. We are not exception to the rule. But on an average, Nepali media is improving both in quality and professionalism. Moreover, the society wherein we live in does have its own sort of impact on our own behaviors. We are not and can't live outside the boundaries of the society and thus the impact is very much inevitable.

Well I am myself a graduate of Law and Commerce but then look the luck! I have entered into this sector. However, training is essential for the new comers. For us who have already spent decades and decades, have been sticking in the field out of the training gained through "experience".

Both the Weeklies and the broadsheet dailies are currently facing problems. While the weeklies have to go in favor of mission journalism to exist. On the other, the dailies have to compromise in order to continue with their publication. They neither can talks against the government nor can hit hard the errant bid-business house. They have their own compulsion and that being the question of "survival".

I believe in editorial freedom. But the freedom must not cross the stipulated limits. Freedom should not mean "irresponsibility" and "anarchy".

As regards country's politics, I see it in a very bad shape at the moment. The state is conflict ridden which has tentatively lost its control in many areas of the country. There is the visible lack of political exercise as it should have been in a normal situation. Add to this the absence of local government. Neither we have a parliament, not the upper house is in operation. Rather it is there but exists in a defunct state. We have democracy albeit in disguise. The state dubbed the Maoists as terrorists but has so far remained unable to control them.

I strongly believe that the three recognize forces, the King, the parliamentary parties and the Maoists must compromise in the larger interest of the nation. Rest assured that any of the two of the three forces can't sort out the issues that have been ailing the nation for long. Mere changes in government in Kathmandu will not solve the problems but instead compound the issue confronting the nation.

Talks? Yes! I see the two "guns" in the hands of two separate forces is blocking the talk of the talks.

Let me politely say that since most of the political parties, including the Maoists, have already ventilated their possibility of accepting going into the scheme of constituent assembly, it is high time that the Monarch also ventilated his political agenda over the much publicized issue of the constituent assembly elections. Unless he speaks out his mind, things will continue to be in a status quo.

After all if the 1990 constitution is considered to be a stumbling block then we should give second thought to our thinking. If the King speaks his mind then it would automatically polarize the country. Either join the section of those who favor constituent assembly or stick to what the King wants. No third option will be left.

Delhi trips? Oh! Yes! But I beg to differ from what others have been interpreting to the spree of Nepali leaders' Delhi trip. To me these trips in series are being made not by a desire of Nepali leaders but it is apparently desire of the other across the border. To me, the Maoists' ever increasing strength in Nepal has already been a matter of serious concern to the rulers of India. They could have concluded that the spill over of the Nepali insurgency will have its strong negative impact on the bordering areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. I also think that New Delhi is not happy with the Maoists at the moment.

Regarding Delhi's role in our issue? Yes it is there. However, they must exhibit their sincerity.

A word to the Maoists now. Well if they are a political force as they claim to be, then they must come to the national mainstream. Why don't they lay down their arms under the supervision of the UN and ask the regime to follow the suit? If they do so, the state will be morally obliged to act in a sensible manner.

But the million-dollar question is that: Will the Maoists do so as I have suggested? Keep on guessing. (tete-a-tete with the editor)

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