Note: UWB received this article in which the writer states, “Let us Reconcile and Transform the Movement into a New Height.” We at UWB strongly think that the peoples’ movement should intensify to give more pressure to the king. We are publishing this article here because we are demanding for democracy that ensures views from all quarters of a society.
By Raj Chettri
Reading the address of His Majesty King to the nation on 21st April 2006 one can palpably notice three points – transfer of executive power to the people, readiness to abide by Article 35 of the Constitution and invitation to Seven-party Alliance (SPA) for premiership. Article 35 of the Constitution is the fabric of the whole thread of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy. A true respect and enforcement of Article 35 can run democracy on to its full vigor.
But the SAP, civil society leaders and Maoist have dismissed the address of the King as a ploy. They have reiterated movement as the address is too little. The question that arises is what is enough?
Krishna Bahadur Mahara has clearly said to BBC that since the address of the King did not declare ‘constitutional assembly’ that is why it is too little. SPA has still not given its clear reasoning why the address is too little but their answer can be inferred. Perhaps, for them, first the King did not restore the parliament and second King did not announce constitutional assembly.
Reading responses to the question put on BBC “Will the King’s announcement bring peace to Nepal?” gives an impression that the Nepalese diaspora has stood stanchion for a couple of things – monarchy still deserves for Nepal and it must not be uprooted, democracy must be restored, petty-feudalism of leaders must be given no more vent and the governance modality of the country should be defined by popular and effective participation of the people i. e. framing a constitution by constitutional assembly.
Let us examine, does the address impede to embark on any of the above mentioned points of the SPA, civil society, Maoist and the Nepalese Diaspora?
For me it is clear that the address is not enough but not too little to make a head-way. It can be supported by a number of fundamental reasons. Now it is not a time for loggerheads and bickering but to take a courageous decision with profound wisdom. Each movement has its own historic role. The movement of Nepalese people is an explicit testimony of the love of Nepalese people to democracy. It was not heightened at the behest of the political leaders but it has come off due to profound belief of Nepalese people in liberal democracy.
Against this background the address of the King is not adequate although sufficiently opens a window for making a head-way. The head-way can be realized stepping wisely towards the following:
i. Give a Prime Minister: It is now a real test for the SPA that whether they can unanimously give a Prime Minister to the country or not. If they fail to give a unanimous Prime Minister they will be culprit in the eyes of history and before the court of Nepalese people. SPA must not disengage to any suspicion but needs to be bold and dispassionate to bear the responsibility. But the SPA has declined to do so. It is very unfortunate.
ii. Declare Constitutional Assembly: If the SAP had declared its candidate for Prime Minister the Prime Minster would have formed a government and the government could take a historical step recommending constitutional assembly under Article 35 of the Constitution, which the King cannot deny in the present day situation. It is because there is an immense Nepalese dedication and commitment for constitutional assembly and Nepalese people are not going to be satiated with any thing less than constitutional assembly. Equally visible, on the other hand, there is a huge international pressure that the King cannot ignore. King is bound to accept the recommendation of a legitimate government for constitutional assembly and declare constitutional assembly. Still the SAP can review its decision. More importantly, SAP should review its decision, move forward for a unanimously Prime Minister and form a government.
iii. Mainstream the Maoist: After declaration of the constitutional assembly the government should negotiate with Maoist to bring it to realize constitutional assembly. It undoubtedly brings the Maoist into the democratic mainstream. Although, there are many complex and tricky things including settlement of arms issues. But no political process undergoes through arm chair flair. There is no choice to the Maoist except partnering in the political mainstream of the country. This work can only be carried out by a legitimate government, which further justifies for the formation of a government by SAP.
iv. Develop Modality for the Constitutional Assembly: Following the agreement between Maoist and the legitimate government a modality of constitutional assembly should be wrought dispassionately. It should be led by academics and expert but not by political leaders. A social process needs to be consumed before deciding or embarking on to any hasty modality and process of constitutional assembly. Starting to believe in Nepalese genius and expertise can produce a credible and widely acceptable modality of constitutional assembly. But the political leaders must no more assume a position of an expert, which was one of the egregious faults committed by the leaders in the past.
v. Promulgate a new Constitution: The constitutional assembly will prepare a constitution followed by promulgation by the Head of the State, which unfurls immense possibilities for settling future political spectrum of the country towards a desirable direction. It is because people are the legitimate source of state power and any system of governance. Unless they decide their system of governance they cannot own constitution and any institution in the country. It is a fundamental process for entering into a political legitimacy.
One important question may arise, why the King right now cannot declare constitutional assembly? For any theoretical and practical reasons, right now the King cannot declare constitutional assembly. It is because of the following reasons:
i. We must not forget the political geometry in the country. No doubt the country is against the absolutism of the King but still the King is the least necessary evil for the country. It is the only institution that has bad and good history and can act as a fallback measure if country needs. A constitutional monarchy has still been liked by the Nepalese diaspora, civil society, political parties and Nepalese people. Let us practically think about the possible future political chaos and unrest in the absence of monarchy. It is just enough for its justification in any rational mind of the Nepalese people. It is easy to be overexcited and damn the monarchy but it is not wise to the country. In practical terms it invites a total war in the country. Many innocent people will be killed and nothing more will be achieved. As a practical person I don’t see any strength and justification for overthrowing the monarchy. The issue is not to dismantle the monarchical institution but to make it a deserving one, which is possible by exercising sovereign political engagement of the Nepalese people through constitutional assembly, for which the door has now been opened if the political leaders rightly walk onto the path.
ii. Theoretically no social engineering and contract is consummated unless agreed on fundamental values – grund norms. For any logical political solution in Nepal, constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy are the two fundamental values. Without agreeing on these fundamental values any political stability is hardly imaginable in the country. These grund norms should not be ignored merely succumbed to short sight, over excitement and ambition to overshoot. Therefore, these need to be agreed among the existing political forces in the country i. e. the King, Political Parties and the Maoist. This work can be carried out only by a legitimate government and without working for that the King cannot declare constitutional assembly merely being yielded.
iii. Of course, constitutional assembly is one of the best means of legitimacy for settling a form of governance in the country but it is still not well worked. It needs to be politically devised, constitutionally validated and legitimated through a rules based process. The core of democracy is a rule following i. e. following a legitimate process. Violation of a legitimate process has often resulted into a crumble of democracy. We have a bitter past that we must not forget. We should learn from our own past. In this context, without a legitimate government the process of constitutional assembly cannot be initiated. Otherwise, it pushes the country towards uncertain political horizon, unrest and anarchy.
A democrat must withstand with patience and endurance. It is a time for dispassionate decision. It is a high time for reconciliation among the King, SPA and Maoist, which is possible through undergoing the above proposed steps. Let us not doubt. Let us create an environment of confidence but be vigilant that the past mistakes did not repeat.
We must not forget the three broader past mistakes – ideological determinism of Maoist, petty-feudalism of the leaders (not of the political parties) and deep rooted belief of the King in absolutism. All these three attitudes need to be overcome for any conceivable political stability in the country. This can be done only through active and informed engagement of the Nepalese people in constitution making process. The King address has opened the door, let us actuate it.
Therefore, let us not overshoot, let us not be overexcited and let us not take a position of intransigency. Let us reconcile and chalk out things. Let us not engage in any systemic oversight. Let us move towards a path of a political marriage at least for the sake of future generation. This only brings the movement to its success.
United We Blog 
Comments
70 responses to “The Talk of reconciliation…From Another Perspective”
Press Release
April 22, 2006
The Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA (NDYCUSA) welcomes the seven party alliance’s decision to reject King Gyanendra’s offer for recommending a name for the post of prime minister and their appeal to all to intensify the peaceful movement aimed at restoring complete democracy. We fully support the seven political parties’ decision to continue the peaceful protests until the king addresses all the demands put forwarded by the seven-party alliance. Although the king handed over power to the people, the Friday’s royal proclamation has completely ignored the aspirations of the people. We believe that the fate of the king should be determined by Nepali people and the election for the constituent assembly is the only way out of the crisis.
We also appeal to the international community to support the ongoing moment and to respect the aspiration of Nepali people. The people of Nepal believe that the royal proclamation was a ploy to defuse the popular uprising, and thus, peaceful demonstration should be continued until a “Loktrandra” (a full-fledged democracy) is established in Nepal. We also urge the security personnel of Nepal to support the popular movement and not to follow the orders to use force to crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. We believe that security personnel, who are fellow Nepali brothers and sisters, are not made to protect one family of the king, but the country and the people of Nepal.
We strongly urge the king and his handpicked government not to use force to suppress peaceful demonstrations. If the government continues its brutality, it will have to bear all the consequences. It is just a matter of time that all the perpetrators of the human right abuses will ultimately brought to justice. We also strongly demand the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience including party leaders and workers, human rights activities and members of civil society.
Sincerely yours,
Anand Bist
President
The Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA (NDYCUSA
What under Article 35 of the constitution would allow the SPA to call a constituent assembly? If the King (and SC and Army) were going to allow a Constituent Assembly, he would have offered it in the speech. I don’t know why those in favor of accepting the King’s offer think it’s going to be so easy to simply call a CA.
Moreover, even if a CA is called, the conditions that would be placed on it would be in the King’s hands to a large degree, which is unacceptable to the Maoists, who have always insisted on an unconditional CA. For example, would the King and his friends India and US allow the Maoists to compete for elections to a CA? unlikely.
this line of reasoning heads us back to a decade more of war. King resorting to ceremonial role (or leaving), an unconditional CA, and there is a chance to end this in a matter of months.
(UWB received this statement and posted it here.)
REVOLUTION IN NEPAL
Statement of the International Secretariat, League for the Fifth International,
22 April 2006.
The revolution in Nepal has reached a critical moment.
In direct defiance of the King’s daytime curfew and a shoot-to-kill order, a tidal wave of workers, peasants and youth is flowing into the capital Kathmandu. Hundreds of thousands, many carrying the red flags of the Communist Party, are singing and chanting slogans for an end to the absolute monarchy of King Gyanendra, for a republic and an elected Constituent Assembly.
Reports are coming in of the mass demonstrations defying tear gas, plastic bullets, baton charges and live rounds. Police cordons have been broken through. Young people, women and children are among the marchers. Workers – many of them women – are pressing forwards behind trade union banners; young men are engaging riot police with petrol bombs.
The police and army have withdrawn from large parts of Kathmandu and – in a clear sign both of the regime’s panic and the movement’s immediate next task – have formed a defensive circle around government buildings and the King’s palace in the very centre of the capital.
Yesterday the King, manoeuvring in the face of a two week long general strike against his fratricidal autocracy, made an apparent concession: to agree to talk to the opposition about involving senior figures in government. The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) of opposition parties met today to consider Gyanendra’s gambit. But the mass protests continued – the streets filled with people. Under this pressure the SPA parties rejected Gyanendra’s trap and – at once, as if in reply – the protests were swelled as hundreds of thousands marched from the outlying districts into the capital.
There is little doubt that the regime is paralysed. The forces of repression are falling back. A bold offensive today – smashing the police lines, seizing the government buildings, surrounding the army and police barracks, occupying the main transport centres, capturing the palace, arresting the King and his ministers – can bring a swift end to Gyanendra’s regime and open the road to the social transformation of Nepal.
Another condition for a successful revolution is also undoubtedly present – that the masses are prepared to die. Western journalists reporting from Kathmandu repeatedly quote demonstrators as saying just this. “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the nation because we are about to be killed, but we are not concerned about that” one marcher told the Guardian. Another told the BBC “I am not afraid, I do not fear the government. Every Nepalese person here is willing to give up their lives in exchange for freedom.”
The two-week long general strike has fully confirmed the classical analysis of Lenin and Trotsky that a general strike poses the question of power and demands an unambiguous answer to the question “who will be master in the house?” And it is this question that the Seven Party Alliance has utterly failed to answer.
Since its formation in 2005 after Gyanendra dissolved parliament and established autocratic rule – the SPA has demanded three things: the restoration of parliament; an interim government to supervise elections to a Constituent Assembly; and for the Constituent Assembly to determine the fate of the monarchy.
This programme perfectly expresses the aims of the SPA’s component parties. The bourgeois and liberal nationalist parties want to reopen space for their own participation in the political process and government, not to allow the masses to rule themselves. Hence they want a government of professional parliamentarians that can control the election of a Constituent Assembly itself, without allowing the masses to influence the process; hence they refuse to declare in advance that the monarchy must be abolished and replaced by a republic.
Most shameful of all, the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) – the main party of the urban workers – participates in this bourgeois bloc and limits its own demands to a capitalist democracy. Its crowning slogan is not a workers’ and peasants’ government, but a ‘Multi-Party People’s Democracy’. In the crucible of revolutionary struggle it has offered neither guidance nor a revolutionary programme for the overthrow of Gyanendra’s regime.
The masses have already burst through the limits of the SPA’s cowardly three point programme by calling for an end to the monarchy. The BBC reports one teacher saying that Gyanendra “is only offering us what he had snatched from us in 2005,” when he abolished parliament and assumed absolute power. A housewife added “Nobody is happy with what the king said. We want democracy and freedom. So many people have died. What for? So that the king can continue to live in his palace and appoint and dismiss prime ministers at will?”
Will the pressure of the masses be sufficient to force the CPN (UNL) cadres to send its 15,000 strong militia into battle now to overthrow the monarchy and seize the power? Only struggle will decide.
The next step for the toiling masses of town and countryside is clear. To arms – for an insurrection in Kathmandu! By boldly confronting the soldiers, marching right up to their lines, appealing to them as the sons of workers and peasants, breaking their loyalty to their officers and their resolve to fight their brothers and sisters, their families, on the streets, the army can be torn apart. The soldiers’ guns can be turned over to the people. The revolutionary youth and workers can take up the arms in the fight for freedom.
In place of the SPA’s three point plan for capitalist stabilisation and continued monarchical rule, consistent democrats, communists and all those who want freedom should fight for:
* the execution of Gyanendra and his dynasty
* establishment of a provisional revolutionary government of workers and poor peasants, excluding the bourgeois parties;
* not a cabal of seven party leaders but democratic councils of workers’ and peasants’ delegates to supervise elections to a Constituent Assembly;
* a workers and peasants government based on delegate councils to give land to the peasants, nationalise the key levers of the economy under workers control and create a democratic plan of production
* spread the revolution across south Asia – for a socialist federation of south Asian states.
The revolution is the harshest judge of the parties that represent the popular masses – only the revolution can put their programmes and policies to the test and see if they are wanting or if they meet the needs of the workers and peasants. And the revolution is cruelly exposing the vacillation and hesitation not only of the urban parties but also of that most feared party of the revolutionary peasants – the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). Led by Prachanda, the CPN (M) has been conducting a long guerrilla war in the countryside. The suffering, poverty, land hunger and oppression of the peasants has provided it with an ample soil in which to take root. Its self-sacrificing militants have conducted a long and heroic war against the landlords and the army.
But the CPN (M)’s programme is a classic expression both of the inconsistent aims of the peasantry and the political incapacity of Maoism. Like all Maoists, the CPN (M)’s adherence to Stalin’s model of a revolution by stages, in which the masses must restrict their goals to the formation of a democratic (Bourgeois) republic and refrain from leading the workers to power, has inevitably led them to accommodate to the bourgeoisie.
The Maoist party fails to understand the need for the urban workers to take a leading role in the revolution and only belatedly backed the general strike several days after it had begun. It has suspended its guerrilla war for the duration of the strike but does not appear to have made its guns available to the masses to launch an insurrection in Kathmandu. Its leader Prachanda only weeks ago renounced the call for the abolition of the monarchy, arguing (in adherence to the policy of the SPA) that the fate of the monarchy could be decided after democratic rights have been won, and even that the monarchy might be preserved for a time under Maoist government. Thus Maoism, despite its determined use of guerrilla methods and the undeniable courage of its cadres – reveals itself to be at best a populist force like the SRs in the Russian revolution, at worst a fifth wheel on the chariot of the bourgeois liberals.
Today the battle is deepening and spreading. The task of insurrection cannot be postponed. Either the masses demands will be met, and Gyanendra will meet the fate all autocrats deserve, from the Romanovs to the Ceausescus, or the SPA, CPN (UNL) and CPN (M) will grant his vicious regime a much needed breathing space and fritter away the huge reserves of determination and hope that the selfless actions of the masses have unleashed.
If Gyanendra flees – and already the Indian ruling class is readying itself to accept the world’s last Hindu monarch into exile – the greatest danger will be the smooth assumption of power by the SPA, leaving the army and repressive apparatus intact and the bourgeois parliamentarians free rein to restrict popular representation and pursue a neoliberal programme of attacks on the poor. The independent action of the workers and peasants, the arming of the working people, the establishment of workers and peasants councils are their best line of defence. The bolder the actions of the masses in the struggle to overthrow Gyanendra and his criminal gang, the greater their power after the revolution, the stronger their defence against counter-revolution in the stormy months to come.
The crisis in Nepal shows that even in countries where the modern working class is a minority, its leadership is the factor on which the fate of the whole people depends. Lenin’s insistence on the need for the hegemony of the proletariat in the democratic revolution, the complete independence of the workers’ party from the bourgeois liberals – is again confirmed as critical for victory. Trotsky’s theory of permanent revolution – that today the bourgeoisie is too weak to solve even democratic tasks consistently – is again confirmed. The twenty-first century is not a time in which the revolutionary events of the last 150 years fall into abeyance, but an epoch of wars and revolutions.
The workers and peasants of Nepal are fighting out this great drama in the full view of the world. The outcome of their struggle will have a direct impact also in India, where a billion people are watching. Victory to them!
International Secretariat, League for the Fifth International, 22 April 2006.
The problem is not the the articles of the constitution. The main element here is the ‘trust’ which the people have lost in the king.
If we consider the interim government of 1990 movement, under which article of the 2019 constitution it was formed? and what rights it had to form a new constitution> Then the people believed in the king and things went ahead.
This time it is different. people do not trust the king. The movement is not only of SPA, it is of the people in large part and also maoist. So the element of the trust is very important.
What a load of a crap. Just go and read the post by Kirat in previous topic, you will know what an ordinary Nepali is thinking right now. Spare me from this bulls’it. What the fck you are talking about execution and blah blah, the sick bast*rds !
Mr. Raj Chettri- a voice of reason in this madness. I thank you for refusing to think like sheep.
Hi glade,
These amrchair revolutionaries are getting really frustrating! Do these people even care about the plight about the ordinary people of Nepal? What idiotic grandstanding and posturing! And I thought Gyane and the Maoists were the main problems…
THE PROBLEM HERE IS NOT THE SPONTANEOUS REACTION TO THE KING’S OFFER BUT THE WAY PEOPLE ARE GETTING CARRIED AWAY WITH THE MAOISTS LAID TRAP.
WITHOUT SPARING A SINGLE BULLET PRACHANDA AND BABURAM WHO ARE NOT EVEN PRESENT IN THE COUNTRY ARE WINNING THE WAR.
WHAT WE ARE MISSING HERE IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE MAOIST VICTORY?
WE SHOULD START THINKING SOONER , THE BETTER!
I don’t think that we need to think…..Its a revolution…i t will decide its own course….if u like Gyanendra…say it clearly…don’t use ifs and buts…..we denounce his rule …..and we are ready to face whatever comes…revolution is never rational…….
After yesterdays demonstration i saw here in Ason and Indrachowk i am worried guys.
These so called demonstration are getting out of hand. When police shot some teargas to the crowd these demos. ran here and there, they were in many chowks out here in ason and bhotahity. They broke many doors to get inside the house. They demanded for telephone service, food to eat, water. Water out here in these area is very little. The crowd were trying to go into unknown personnels house(some succeded and stayed for hours). There are family in these home “Angry mob cannot be trusted”. Most people lost their shoes. They didn’t left the house though several requset were made by the house owners.(i am not talking about one house out here but whole neighbourhood). These people asked for a shoes so that they can wear and go. These people gave totally unnecessary tenson to the people living in ason and bhotahity area. The crowd might have done anything.
Those people were not from the valley. I believe some of them are maoists too. Maoists are taking advantage so lets be very careful.
It is a shame that the political parties have not done enough homework and let the situation develop in an ad hoc manner. At this critical juncture, it is highly unfortunate for our country that the decisions of the political parties are dictated by the spontaneous emotions on the street instead of being guided by visionary leadership to a peaceful nepal.
Why are people saying king cannot be trusted.
If we take example of past 12-13 years none of the political leaders can be trusted.
Mainly Girija, Makune, Deuba etc who were waving hands to the public from comfortable house. We just need to learn to move on.
What revolution you are talking about ? Rakesh you know it very well that nobody is fond of King G , then again why are you bringing up this topic ? That’s not the point. You don’t need to like him or his bhardaars to act like a sheep. We don’t want to act like bunch of bhedas and want to know what is happening. Does that out us in the same rank of G’s follower ? Go ahead if you think so. You know it very well that it won’t make any difference whatever you think.
I just want to know where does SPA stand. I give a rat’s ass for Maoists , until they lay down their arms. I don’t believe election for constituent assembly is possible at the current scenario. You need an interim government of any kind to hold that election. But no, instead of forming a government we are talking about executions. Is that what you want ?
League for the Fifth International? UWB, why do you publish such nonsense? We do not want one autocrat to be replaced by a bunch of communist autocrats. What’s the difference? They all claim to be working for the people but we know that’s a lie all autocrats love. You academic commies with your ‘good’ intentions will only create another Stalin/Mao here in Nepal if you get your way.
And NDYCUSA if you can’t be bothered to find out what is really going on here than I suggest you stop issuing stupid releases between your 7 dollar an hour work break. Try to do some good for Nepalis as a youth front instead of overly politicized.
Yeah Rakesh you don’t need to think. You said it man!
Latest Newsweek report said it well –
But can the Maoists be trusted? The fear is that they have made a tactical accommodation with the democratic parties and will sweep them aside and install a one-party dictatorship at the first opportunity. History is replete with examples of “bourgeois” parties that cooperated with their Leninist or Maoist counterparts only to be swallowed by a proletarian revolution. Unlike the mainstream parties—whose reformist ideas focus on bread-and-butter issues like jobs and education—the Maoists remain fixated on class warfare and radical redistribution. Even if we grant that the Maoist leadership has changed and recognizes that it cannot yet launch a revolution, the cadres will find compromise hard to swallow. A rift in the Maoist movement could create radical factions.
Anyone who thinks Maoists are here to save us Nepalis is fooling oneself!
The reasons why SPA has problems to go ahead with formation of New Government.
1. They have already signed 12 point understanding with Maoist which says SPA have to fight for unconditional contitutional assembly, in return maoist will accept multi-party democracy.
2. SPA will have difficult to find consesus candidate for PM. and ultimately that can break up SPA.
3. People have been killed and injured which means if SPA goes in government, then it will show the people that they are power hungry.
4. If SPA builds government, there will be still very less or not support at all from RNA, because RNA has been hold up by palace for a long time, and RNA been trained in a way that to respect king as a god.
5. There are no current articles in a constitution that says SPA government can call for CA with out parliament, even if they go for it, then king have the right to reject it.
6. Finally, people in general have been suffering from maoist, king and political forces for a long time and they want way out, thats why people want to fight for job done once and for all.
7. There is no trust between king and people, king and political forces and maoist, which make hard to SPA to run the country.
8. There is 127 article which can give supreme power to king to sack anyone at anytime.
9. Therefore, SPA cannot deliver any promises to people and maoist, which have promised, that eventually make them hard to grab the government at this situation.
However, if SPA donot come up with any strong agenda, then king won’t give up his throne easily, the fight will last long, and there comes win and loose situation. If SPA takes this oppertunity, then maoist will take their battle as usual, there will be less likely next compromise. The general election will be less likely go ahead causing same old war like situation. Finally SPA will loose faith to people and they will break up, ultimately king will grab the power again, people will be tired of fighting everytime when something goes wrong in the country and total monarchy will prevail.
Due to above mentioned reasons, the situation is not favourable for SPA to go ahead for government.
So, to solve the problem,
1. SPA should talk to the king before making goverment if he is willing to give chance for CA. If not, then SPA have to hold general election , win major seats in parliament and then call for CA, which will be too late for maoist i guess.
2. second solution is just keep fighting until the end and finish the bloody war and make king to declare reinstatement of parliament or call CA., giving chance to king just to say im still nepalese ceremonial king.
Therefore, first solution, seems longer to achieve but there is less blood shed. Second solution can be achieved quickly but more blood shed.
Finally, god bless all the nepalese who are fighting for freedom that they are born with.
” you can fool some people sometime but you cannot fool all the people all the time”
Sorry Raj Chettriji,
While your analysis is written and has good points, it would have been valid if bloody KG has taken the step on New years message. Now it is too late. My views are as follows:
1)Scenario-1: Agree with KG’s offer: This would mean that isolating maoists which would create more chaos and hardship as maoists have guns and control a lot of Nepal. This option would be disastrous. In this case it is a matter of time before maoists will be in power.
2) Scenario-2: Oust KG now: I see that if KG is ousted now SPA can claim that a bloody autocrat like KG can be thrown out with people power not by guns and therefore there is a hope that the best party would be able to govern the soverenty of Nepal. I believe that both majority of Nepalese and International community are looking for this option.
3) Giant neighbour factor: Although I was convinced earlier that a constitutional monarch would be good for Nepal, I really feel now that monarchy is not necessary. What for! The objective of neutrality between giant neighbours vis-a vis the king and therefore serving better interest of Nepal was in my earlier thinking. I very much feel that Nepal exists because she gives much needed security buffer for both the neighbours and therefore has strategic value by and large. No point talking about India or China card in the macro sense. Of course in the micro sense infuence in politics is obvious. Being republic at this time means a lot. Especially to bring the Maoists in the group. We like it or not without them Nepal is doomed. I also feel that if these maoists have some brain and love towards Nepal then they should come to the election in the republic Nepal without guns. I do not know much about Prachanda but the brain of Baburam is well known. If used in the right direction he may be able to do wonder to our homeland. I am also hoping that there are quite a bunch Bhadkeka Nepalese brains out there.
Frankly waht good this manic KG would bring to us. If India and China have presidents elected by the people why on earth Nepal should have a king, who only cares his butt and does everything bad towards the ordinary Nepalese.
So the choice now is obvious. Republic of Nepal Jindabaad. My soul and heart for all of you and those fighting for the good cause.
sparsha,
Yes it would have been a different scenario if stupid Gyane has made his offer on April 14, but don’t forget the SPA-Maoist agreement was in place before this date.
Your basis for rejecting the executive powers offered by Gyane is fear of the Maoists. I can see you are counting on the Maoists being a noble democractic entity. What gives you such optimism. In the real world people lie to achieve their ends.
Your Scenario 2 makes no sense. What does ousting Gyane have to do with good governance and the best party coming to power? I believe the majority of the Nepali people want peace, progress and prosperity-freedom and democracy are a bonus for the poor. The international community wants stability-thats it.
Third Scenario-Do you really think India and China give a damn if we Nepali people have democracy here? Sorry. All they want is a government they can influence when they want to. India doesn’t want a Maoist government for obvious reasons. I don’t think China gives a damn either way.
And stop wishing for instant republic as if it was instant coffee without thinking about the consequences of the struggle on the ordinary Nepali people. I hate Gyane and I am not against a republic-but not at the cost it will come at right now. The best thing right now is for the SPA to accept the executive powers offered by Gyane and call in the UN so that the Maoists can be called to the table. Than we can have a constitutional assembly elections after the Maoists have been disbanded. The CA can get rid of the king then if that is there mandate. We need to take the path that is least dangerous and will mean the least suffering for our people. Not the path that will lead to bloodshed and suffering you armchair revolutionaries are advocating. My guess is that you are not even in Nepal. What suffering will you endure if things go wrong?
Sparsha, you are right.
But KG already too late so SPA can’t go beyond people aspiration and their road map. Scenario-1 no more applicable.
Scenario-2 & 3 is good. Now the time is SPA has to think and make a plan very carefully. They should make the day to day schedule. Now each and every minute is important.
* They have to handle the mass.
*They have to make clear the KG’s propaganda to the national and especially international media. Why don’t they do the press conference and clear their road map to everybody? After KG address looks US & Indian media start again so called lobbying and over loading their non sense ideology.
*They have to take care of those injures and death people family immediately.
* Finally they have to address the nation and make clear their stand again and give the new program for fight of FREEDOM.
Long Live Republic of Nepal
The 1990 Constitution is dead. It breathed it’s last breath, Feb-1, 2005 when KG seazed power..
To speak of the 1990 Constitution is an intellectual game and not rooted in the 12-Point Agreement that provides for an election of a Constituent Assembly….
The 12-Point Agreement by the 8-Parties is ths basis of Law in Nepal at this minute.
The King has no role except to be captured or leave for exile.
The 8-Parties are now meeting and wll declare a New Government in less than 24 Hours..The King has no role in the New Republic nither do the War-Criminals who now serve him..
The 12-Point Agreement would have the UN superise the RNA & Maoist Armies and be the “ewatch-dog” for the elections…
Well ug from papua, why don’t you take a break from Papua and come back to Nepal for a while-see what is really going on. If the SPA doesn’t act fast and take the offer of executive power from Gyane things are going to take a bad turn. Today the turn out on the streets are much lower than yesterday. Why can’t you guys who are blogging from outside the country realise that this is the 17th (or is it the 18th?) day of strikes and curfews. How do you expect the majority of Nepalis who are poor to continue like this? I salute all those who came to the streets for the protests-you have managed to make the arrogant Gyane bow down to your power-but now is the time for the SPA to show good leadership. No more stupid rhetoric. Let’s get practical and move on to a democratic and maybe in the next five/ten years republic Nepal.
i don’t know why people like you who are not even in Nepal, are betting all your wealth on 12 point agenda. Neither the SPA nor the Maoist have signed on that agenda seriously. SPA had to sign because people were not responding to their calls for uprising because of their wrongdoings in last 12 years. Maoist had signed as thy wante KG to be alone.
If you have carefully studied the ideological press briefings and articles of Maoist, they want to kill ‘purano satta’ and install ‘Naya satta’, and by the way, here ‘purano satta’ means bujurwa poitical parties also including SPA. Their technique today as laimed by prachhnda is ‘ purano stta ko dhad ma chadhera tauko ma hirkaune’ and this principle was taken by maoist just after they signed the 12 point agenda with SPA….if you see it chronologically….
BTW, does CA solve the problem? isn’t India a republic state? then why are there Maoist (Naxals) killing tens of people in any one single ay…….Maoist not only want republic but their autrocratic rule. And please do not say that the people power can overthrow their rule also. See what happened in Tian Mei Square in china. 10K people were crushed by the tanks and still the communist party is ruling.
If Maoist come to power, even media like Kantipur will not be allowed to be published or this blog site won’t exist, at least cannot be accesses from Nepal, then how will be adress the people on democratic rights and how will you prepare for the demostration…….
those people who are earning 7 dollars an hour, sittting in capitalistic society of West can write anything in their mind…… but please, think of nepalese who are not able to leave the country like to privledged ones..they have to suffer here….please think of them….
Just as the situation has gone out of the hands of the King and now the SPA, so too the 12 point agreement. If 1990 constitution is dead, we have to view the same for the agreement. After all it is just an agreement.
The King is a no go, and the SPA’s hands are tied very tightly with risk to their own wellbeing. The maoists on their own don’t have a chance either. I think our future is already being decided by our neighbours and world powers. There is nothing the King, the SPA,or the Maoists can do now to cahnge this.
st, if the SPA had any guts and cared for the general people they would have taken charge of the government by now. I really understand how hopeless the SPA leadership is now. They probably couldn’t come to a consensus on a PM and Cabinet because of their selfish, petty nature. What a bunch of idiotic, dithering leaders.
What now?
The King is down, maybe out as well, the SPA I am afraid are at their weakest ever or rather non entities in the eyes of their own people. The greatest danger is to the SPA leaders. They are not only gagged but are the one’s most in personal danger to their lives. Although I am no fan of these leaders, I do at this point in time feel sorry for them.
The King should help them now if we are to be sovereign, he should agree that he does not have anything against the constituent assembly. Of course, legally the King has no rights to call for a constituent assembly election, this has to be decided by the people. But, he has a personal right I guess to say that he does not have anything against such an election. Then this will for the first time put the ball “squarely” in the maoist court, as they have said they would agree to multi party democracy if this was done. From here things could get better, a lot better.
st, C’mon the king coming out to help the SPA in the greater interests of the country. What are you on.
I must have been on something too expecting the SPA leadership to have courage and vision. Sheesh!
I just read the bullcrap from the league for the fifth international. I strongly urge the UWB team not to entertain such fascists. After al this blog is as you stated _ “United We Blog! wants democracy and peace to be restored in Nepal as soon as possible”. You have kept your word as far as this King’s direct rule is concerened. But, I again strongly recommend that you carry on your fight with a new and imminent threat – the maoists and groups like this that you posted the statement of that support them. I think your motto and mission statement should go beyond the fight for democracy and include “THE FIGHT AGAINSTS ALL FORMS OF FASCISM”. Sorry for the caps but it was necessary, as I feel very offended by such promotion of fascism from the very team (UWB) that so many here support.
Kirat,
I dont know. I think the King may not be against such an arrangement. I think it is the Indians who dont want it.
KIRAT;
i believe that there should be a constitutional/ceremonial monarchy…
except for that u said it man….
Ultimately I would like a Republic. But it has to be a step by step process. We can’t afford to fail so we have to move cautiously. If we’re too ambitious and risk all it could easily turn into a zero-sum game for us Nepalis.
i wish to see nepal as it always has been….. the king is there at his palace…and the people govern the nation ie democracy…out throwing the monarchy is not gonna help anything in anyways in a democratic nation as the king will have no power to do nothing… he is just a figurehead.
Kirat,
I read some of your earlier comments, and I agree that UWB should not be carried away and wish for instant this or that. But as you know media is all about instant these days, their motto is probably “the present headlines is the most important story,that is of course until the next headlines”. Media should be the first to lead the way by becoming more objective. Do you think that the viewers of TV have’nt noticed that everytime people in the andolan chant “Gyane chor, desh chod” or something like it, NTV mutes the sound, and everytime there are maoist slogans being chanted, Kantipur TV mutes the sound. I hope as you say the crowds dwindle. But, this is a time where real good can come out of all the darkness. As you say, it has to be done carefully and not rushed like in 1990.
We may not be able to get anything out of the King, the SPA and the Maoists instantly, but the media can help the people and come together on this.
Kirat,
Sometimes social changes have to happen rapidly, otherwise they will not happen at all. The movement of the people that has been unleashed in the last 2 weeks is significant primarily because it is not a movement of the parties or any other political group but of ordinary people, mobilised to fight for a common goal. As you know, ordinary people get fatigued quickly because they have to go back to their jobs, feed their families, etc.
It is a very rare occasion that ordinary people’s energy gets so focussed on a political issue. That is why it has to be taken advantage of. Corruption, and political leaders getting lost along the way, is what happens when things are quiet, when people are not in the streets, when there is no one there to hold leaders to account. Once leaders start reaching compromises and people go home, then shady deals start being made. The pressure is off, the momentum is gone, and everyone feels they have all the time in the world to do things gradually.
But more importantly, it is already a zero-sum game. The King and his army are in power and want to retain power. The people want him out of power and themselves in power. There is no real question of power-sharing here, unless you take the King absolutely at his word. His actions over the last few years have demonstrated he does not believe in sharing power with the people. Right now there is a historic opportunity to end this game now with the people as the winners. Why continue to play it and watch people suffer slowly?
salute your Kirat,
step by step, my sentiments
eh, m if you bother to take your head out your dusty Das Kapital and look arount the movement is already losing steam. The SPA should have been bold and grabbed the opportunity to wrest the executive powers from Gyane. You can’t always have the people on the streets make decisions-they have done their part and I greatly respect them-what are leders for?
Look m bro-I know you are obsessed with revolutions but I’ve always liked evolution better-less costly, more effective and permanent in the long run.
m,
Social change can not happen rapidly. That is a fairy tale. Under threats and coercion people can pretend to have changed or stopped practicing say religion and the worship of idols, but people will only change socially if they believe in the change, not if they just say it in public for some outside factor or another.
When the dust settles people will have a long hard think of the past few weeks. When emotions have been calmed and reason prevails that is when true change can be brought about.
Communist China for example has been crushing religious practices for so long and the result was a new religion FA Lun Gong, and one that fights hard againt the communist regime. Social change is best achieved when a free and economically independent people decide that they truely feel and need the change. Otherwise you can supress society but not for ever.
m my reply to you should be out of moderation soon (i hope).
to people asking for constitutional/ceremonial monarchy: are you going to be content seeing Gyane and then Paras continue to live in absurd luxury on your tax money while millions of Nepalis languish in profound poverty?
i think that’s a tremendous slap in the face to the poor.
expenses to keep gyane in his palace, in his luxury cars, Paras on his Harley’s, the royal family on their safaris, exceed, by ten fold, each districts health budget. for example.
one idea, if you knew what a constitutional monarch meant you wouldn’t ask that question.
A constitutional monarch still gets his (or her) salary from the state. look how rich Queen Elizabeth is! where does she get her wealth? off the backs of the common people. But they don’t begrudge her to much, because she, one, is a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH, and, two, PAYS TAXES ON HER INCOME (as does george bush on his salary as US President, something Gyanendra has never done)
oneidea,
When we have a constitutional/ceromonial monarch, I think some of the clauses will be:
1. All royalty must pay taxes.
2. Royal budget shall be decided by parliament.
I also would add:
3. Royalty may hold shares and investments but they are not allowed direct control and running of these businesses unless they give up their title.
4. Junior royalty titles should be done away with altogether.
I’m sure there are other things the parliament can decide on.
If the royalty can be put to good use like charities etc. that would also benefit the country greatly. Point in case King Mahendra Trust. Many more are required. Royalties have great leverage in raising funds and awareness worldwide, but they have to be pushed to to this as well. This will be good for international goodwill and funds for charitable work in the country. Why will they do it? As the ceremonial role will clamp all their political power, this is the only way the royaties can get support for their relevance in the years to come. If they don’t, then 10-20 years down the line the people of Nepal may decide they are more of a liability than an asset. If they understand this then they will definitely be an asset. (The European royalty gain support for multi billion dollar charities, plus the royal tourism is a billion dollar business for places like the U.K., therefore keeping them even in financial terms is jutified).
why are we only talking about gyane’s income only and whether he pays taxes or not….
at this juncture, we should also talk about koirala’s dynasty’s wealth also…has he paid taxes on the ill gotten money or a headmaster khum bahadur’s 5 crores bank balance…after he became the minister or looted bounty of maoist in billions of rupees…we have to kick these corrupt politicians, looter maoist and then giv the ‘bagdoor’ of the country to younger non-corrupt poloticians………
kirat,
i don’t quite understand your response, how if I knew what having a constitutional monarch meant, I wouldn’t ask that question. Saying that I don’t understand constitutional monarchy hardly constitutes a logical rebuttal.
the bottom line remains: this sort of luxury (unearned, at that) is inexcusable in such a poor country.
I think if you would quit being so disparaging and condescending towards individuals and would instead engage in real dialogue/debate, you wouldn’t have the problem with UWB censoring your comments.
sorry one idea, I’ll try to be more patient (promise!).
UWB,
why my comments ar being censored?
kirat,
that is exactly what i also suggested to SPA right after the king’s latest announcement. since the king has accepted to work under the directives of the council of ministers, SPA should form a government, recommend for the revival of the parliament(if all accept), strip the king of his power, put the army under the parliament, continue talking with maoists to go into elections to constituent assembly.
there is no way we can make the king abondon his place in our society through protesting in the streets. though its natural for people to show their anger to our monarchy, at the end of the day, we all need to have a plan. we cant afford to have thousands of people yelling in the streets without knowing where they are going.
by the way, maoists will always be there. because its a faith guided by principles. too idealistic. and its almost impossible to get idealism in a society that is almost torn apart so badly.
jeewan-the SPA needs guts and brains to tackle the present problem-the ball is in their court-how can they as so called leaders give it back to the people who have done so much already? Now they are running out of time. The Nepali people in general are good, honest hard working people who do not mind making sacrifices for the greater good. I just wonder where these leaders i.e. Gyane, Prachanda-Baburam and the SPA leaders come from as they have none of the above characteristics of the people.
Kirat {Subba sab}, perhaps you have the right stuff. Why don’t you apply for the PM position rahter than kissing white ass wherever you are.