Donors have failed to exert pressure to the government on curbing corruption - Prof. Dr Ram Kumar Dahal, T.U, Kirtipur

TGQ1: Dr Dahal who is to be blamed for the current disorder and the discredited image of the country?

Dr. Dahal: It is difficult to answer regarding who is to be blamed for the current disorder and the discredited image of the country. This can be better answered with the help of historical references. Most people in Nepal feel that as the Maoists had raised the arms against State mechanism-Army-Police force-Government officials, leaders and individuals their properties, governmental infrastructures including transportation and communication networks, they are to be blamed for this but the government can also be blamed for various reasons. When the Maoists became active in some few western hill districts, the post 1990 governments undermined the problem or failed to recognize it as a political force. The problem would not have been so acute if it would have been managed in its initial phase. But the government recognized it only when it went out of control. However, raising arms and killing innocent people both by the government and by the Maoists is not good.

The monopolization of the economic resources by few or those in power, the rampant corruption at political and administrative levels, the undemocratic, un-parliamentary and inhumane activities of some of the leaders were some of the responsible factors for this. As the Nepali democratic exercise has failed to cross the barriers of caste, family, kinship, language, ethnicity, religion and a number of factors contributed to flourish these elements.

TGQ2: What should the Government do at the moment?

Prof. Dahal: The government would have to hold talks with the Maoists because after all State should behave like a guardian despite the current support the Nepali establishment has been able to muster from the international community. The government would commit another mistake if it loses this opportunity to hold talks with them. It might have to follow the Sri Lankan model while dealing with them. Terrorists of the bygone past have remained in high party profiles. So it would not be undemocratic to hold talks with the Maoists.

TGQ3: As a political scientist how would you prefer to interpret the King's role?

Prof. Dahal: Monarchy is one of the oldest and most trusted institutions in Nepal. The Nepalese people know it very well that the constitutional monarchy is competent enough to prescribe for himself what role best suits him.

TGQ4: How do you evaluate the role of the civil society, the HR groups and the media?

Prof. Dahal: The civil society, the HR groups and the media are also not playing the role of effective watch-dog of democracy. When Cancer affects the whole body, we can't expect the head or any parts of the body to be free from it. Similarly, when the whole environment is polluted and polarized and virus affected, these institutions can't operate independently.

TGQ5: Role of the donor community?

Prof. Dahal: Let me tell you a few words about the role of the donor community in Nepal, which however is not unaware of the rampant corruption going on in the country. But they have failed to put strong pressure on the government to stop it. They have not dared to say that if corruption would not be controlled, they will no longer aid Nepal. They should also realize that development will not occur only by politicizing or manipulating data. If the donor community likes to see their development aid followed by real economic development, they have to be very assertive in pressurizing government to use the aid amount properly.

In conclusion, let me add two points: the Nepalese army is one of the oldest and disciplined and the only non-politicized institution in Nepal. In international field, it has raised Nepal's prestige in the past and even in today's disturbed world by providing service in the troubled areas of the world under UN banner. When we fight in elections, they have to restore peace. When situation goes out of the control of the police force, they are to be invited to maintain internal peace. Under current situation it would not be wise to drag this institution into political controversy.

An appropriate conflict-management mechanism should be constitutionally or legally guaranteed to resolve the possible conflicts in future. The present day Nepal is facing a number of issues in the areas of language politics, ethno-politics, and regional politics, gender politics that may challenge the Nepalese welfare state from any corner. So in order to manage to such possible conflicts in future, conflict management mechanism becomes a must.

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