Friday, September 08, 2006

No To Royal Dictatorship, No To Maoist Dictatorship


(sent to Kantipur)

Like many other good things for the democracy movement, it started in Janakpur. The transport workers took out a rally against the Maoist excesses. No to royal dictatorship, no to Maoist dictatorship.

The first big rally leading to the April Revolution was held in Janakpur on January 12. Nepal had never before in its history seen such a huge rally. The movement to grant citizenship papers to the Madhesis started in Janakpur. People blocked the east west highway for hours.

Janakpur has oomph.

Janakpur Gherao
June 7 Madhesi Rally In Janakpur
Janakpur Rally, Biggest In Nepal Since 1990

If the Maoists don't make sense during the peace talks, they are going to be at the receiving end of an October Revolution they have been talking about. The people will come out into the streets against them.

There can be no compromise whatsoever on the basics. The basics are multi-party democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The Maoists have been taking talk of a parallel state a little too far. In a legitimate state, the tax collector does not show up at your house with a pistol. You don't get abducted when you don't pay taxes. Maoist extortions are signs of lawlessness.

But within the basic framework of multi-party democracy, rule of law, and human rights, many good things are possible. Like constituent assembly, democratic republic, federalism, land reform, education, health, micro credit.

Power flows through the ballot box. Power does not flow through the barrel of a gun. Power should not flow through the barrel of a gun. Power flowing through the barrel of a gun is primitive, uncivilized.

Within the framework of power flowing through the ballot box, it is possible to make party finances transparent, it is possible to imagine state funded parties.

Nepal is not two states. It can have only one army, one police, one tax collection agency.

Misbehaving low level Maoist cadres are not a party discipline problem. They are a law enforcement issue. Abductions, extortions, assault, murder: these are crimes. Let the police deal with the criminals.

Arguing With The Maoists
Need To Revive The 12 Point Agreement Spirit

In The News

Interim government only after arms management: DPM Oli NepalNews
Maoists abduct transport entrepreneur in Birgunj; transporters halt service in five districts Transporters in Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Makwanpur and Chitwan district have called a vehicle strike to protest against the abduction of Kausal Dahal, treasurer of Narayani Zonal Transport Entrepreneurs’ Association, in Birgunj by the Maoists yesterday..... All long and short route vehicles remain off the road from around 11:00 a.m. Friday in the five districts due to the transporters’ protest, reports said. The protesting transporters have demanded that the Maoists immediately release Dahal and stop harassing them. .....
Minister Manandhar spills out differences among ministers differences among the ministers regarding the interim constitution, interim parliament and arms management of the Maoists have delayed the peace process ..... He said the government has been spending time in unimportant and minor works leaving behind the major political issues. ......
Junior employees under Health Ministry calls for indefinite strike in all heath institutions
Indian investors eye Nepal's hydropower sector
HLPC summons defence secretary
Normal life resumes in Pokhara; transport entrepreneurs call off strike
Transporters’ protest shuts down Janakpur, Pokhara A protest called by the transporters against Maoist threats closed down marketplaces and brought the vehicular traffic to a halt in Janakpur Bazaar on Thursday. ....... Janakpur Zonal Bus Entrepreneurs’ Committee took out a rally and shouted slogans against the Maoists for harassing them .......
The Success of the People’s Movement II depends on the Restructuring of the State - By Prakash Bom
Police arrest Jana Andolan victims
Government, Maoist chief negotiators discuss upcoming summit level talks The Maoists have been insisting that the meet reach a consensus on an interim statute, an interim legislature, an interim government and arms management.
Maoists beat a civilian to death
PM failed to take progressive decisions: Lawmakers although Parliament has made progressive decisions, they are yet to be implemented, due to the passivity of the Prime Minister Koirala. .... Member of Parliament Jagannath Khatiwada questioned if the Parliament has the courage to thwart the appointment of Rukmangad Katawal as the chief of Nepal Army (NA). ..... former member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Sushil Pyakurel said, "Those who were part of grave human rights violations have been rewarded instead of punished." ..... appointment of Katawal is a clear indication that the "political match-fixing" is ongoing, said human rights defender Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti.
Foreign forces conspiring to foil peace talks: Bijukchhe
ISG condemns Maoist activities; asks government to take steps to restore law and order
Transporters’ protest shuts down Janakpur, Pokhara

Nepali deputy PM asks Chinese to invest in Nepal People's Daily Online, China
NEPAL: Government and Maoists optimistic about peace process Reuters AlertNet, UK
India to help build 150 MW hydropower project in Nepal Hindustan Times, India
Nepal relaxes law to give 5 mn citizenship without certificate Zee News, India
Nepal relaxes its citizenship laws Times Online
Nepal to give millions citizenship through new law Reuters India
Biodiesel in Nepal Nepali Times, Nepal
Nepal: October In The Air NewsBlaze, CA The Maoists now insist they will not lay down weapons until ethnic and regional autonomy with the right of self-determination is guaranteed, the monarchy abolished and the army restructured. How much room that leaves for compromise obviously depends on one's level of optimism. ....... folks like Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel, who until the other day saw the Maoists as reasonable republican cohorts, are now hitting out hard against the rebels. ....... the rebel supremo now insists he would not be ready even to confine the Maoist militia to specific cantonments unless both the armies were treated on par.

Kahane urges SPA, Maoists not to breach ceasefire Kantipur Publications he has not noticed the Maoists at the local level following the ceasefire code of conduct ..... Dhulikhel, Kavre ..... today the Maoists had issued a notice warning against any sort of development work in the district .....
Maoists kill dalit youth in Tanahu
Transport workers’ strike cripples life in Kaski district
DPM surprised over Maoists' fresh remarks
Arms management at any cost: PM Koirala Reiterating the significance of the five-point joint letter sent to the UN, PM Koirala said, "It (joint letter) had drawn up a guideline for the same (arms management) and it seems everyone has forgotten that. If we work according to that (five-point joint letter), we can successfully complete the peace process as well as being able to hold elections to a constituent assembly very soon." ...... "I don't know about the statements made outside. I will move ahead as per the talks I have had so far with the Maoist leadership. I do not care 'who says what'." "I have always moved ahead following the philosophy of late BP Koirala."
Human trafficking from Nepal on rise
मधेसी खुसी बसोवासको आधारमा नागरिकता दिने सरकारको निर्णयलाई मधेसी समुदायले सकारात्मक भनेको छ । तर कार्यान्वयन सफल हुनेमा भने उनीहरूले शंका व्यक्त गरेका छन् । मधेसीहरूले मूल समस्याका रूपमा नागरिकतालाई उठाउँदै आएका छन् । ..... विधेयकले नागरिकता ऐन, ०२० लाई संशोधन गरी गाउँ-गाउँमा टोली खटाई बसोवासको आधारमा नागरिकता वितरण गर्ने व्यवस्था गरेको छ । .... जनवादी मोर्चा महोत्तरीका अध्यक्ष्ा राजकिशोर सिंहले विधेयक कार्यान्वयन नहुन्जेल विश्वस्त हुन नसकिने टिप्पणी गरे । ... सद्भावना-आनन्दीदेवी) का जिल्ला अध्यक्ष्ा रामकुमार महतोले नागरिकताबाट वञ्चित सिरहाका करिब १ लाख २ हजार मधेसीले नागरिकता पाउने विश्वास व्यक्त गरे । दलित जागरण केन्द्र गोलबजारका अध्यक्ष्ा शिवकुमार महराले जिल्लामा नागरिकताबाट वञ्चितमध्ये ८० प्रतिशत दलित भएको बताए । उनीहरूले निर्णय स्वागतयोग्य भए पनि कार्यान्वयन हेर्नुपर्ने बताए । मधेसी जनअधिकार फोरमका अध्यक्ष्ा अमिरी यादवले सरकारको निर्णय सस्तो लोकपि्रयता हासिल गर्नका लागि ल्याइएको टिप्पणी गरे । संसद्मा पास भएर कार्यान्वयनमा नआएसम्म सकारात्मक भन्न नसकिने उनले बताए । ...... जनतान्त्रिक तराई मुक्ति मोर्चाका संयोजक जयकृष्ण कोइतले विज्ञप्ति जारी गर्दै मधेसी आन्दोलन लाई अलमल्याउने खेल भएको टिप्पणी गरेका छन् । ..... 'लाखौं नागरिकताविहीन जनआन्दोलन-२ मा सहभागी थिए । ...... 'मधेसी समुदायको आवाजलाई सरकारले सम्मान गरेको छ,' सद्भावनाका केन्दीय सदस्य दिलीप धाडेवाले भने । ....सद्भावना-आनन्दीदेवी) मोरङले बिहीबार विज्ञप्ति जारी गरी निर्णय सकारात्मक भए पनि नागरिकता नपाउने दलित र पिछडिएका मधेसीको संख्या १० लाख मात्र भएको भन्ने कांग्रेस महामन्त्री महन्त ठाकुरको भनाइप्रति आपत्ति जनाएको छ । करिब ४० लाखसम्म मधेसी नागरिकताबाट वञ्चित रहेको तथ्यांक गैरसरकारी संस्थ्ााहरूले बताउँदै आएका छन् ।..... सद्भावना -आनन्दीदेवी) का केन्द्रीय सदस्य रामनरेश रायले भने सरकारी निर्णयको विरोध गरे । ०६३ को आन्दोलनको मितिसम्म स्थायी रूपमा नेपालमा बस्नेले स्वतः नागरिकता पाउनुपर्ने उनको जिकिर छ । जनकपुरका मधेसी अगुवाहरूले अग्रगामी कदमको संज्ञा दिँदै इमानदार कार्यान्वयनले मात्र समस्या समाधान हुने टिप्पणी गरे ।
दलितलाई मन्दिर प्रवेशमा रोक लगाउन जुलुस दिपालय, भदौ २२ - संसद्ले गरेको 'जातीय छूवाछूत मुक्त देश' घोषणाविरुद्ध केही गैर दलितले डोटीमा दलितलाई मन्दिर प्रवेशमा रोक्न लगाउनु पर्ने आह्वानका साथ जुलुस प्रदर्शन गरेका छन् । जुलुस प्रदर्शन गर्नेमा कार्यालयका कर्मचारी, शिक्षक र संघसंस्थाका व्यक्ति समेत रहेका थिए । बुधबार सदरमुकाम सिलगढीमा २०-२५ जनाले निकालेको जुलुसमा पत्रकार, मानवअधिकारकर्मीका विरोधमा पनि नारा लगाइएको थियो ।जनआन्दोलनको बलमा बनेको संसदले जातीय छुवाछूत मुक्त देश घोषणा गरेपछि खुशी भएका दलितले मन्दिर प्रवेश गर्न खोजेपछि पुजारी लगायतका केही गैरदलित कानुनलाई नै चेतावनी दिने गरी विरोधमा उत्रेका हुन् । स्थानीय दलित नेता कुमारसिंह टेलर भन्छन्, 'दलितलाई मन्दिर प्रवेश गर्न दिनु हुँदैन भनेर गैर कानुनी ढंगले प्रतिगामी तत्त्वहरूको एक झुन्डले जुलुस प्रदर्शन गर्दा पनि प्रशासन मौन बस्नुले हामीलाई अचम्म लागेको छ ।'
भुटानी आन्दोलनमा सघाउन आग्रह
भूमिहीनको आन्दोलन
विधवाको पुनर्विवाह
राज लगानीको लेखाजोखा

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Thursday, September 07, 2006

Bindeshwar Yadav: Restructuring Of The State


NEPAL: RESTRUCTING of the STATE

Dr Bindeshwar Prasad Yadav

Summary

There are evidences to support restructure of states based on ethnicity, language, region, and population. Basically the revolution is against untruth and injustice, for human right. In the spirit of the time; let the people do restructuring of the state according to their own consciousness. But impose on them responsibility to demonstrate the mechanism to maintain inter states; and state -center cordial and professional relations; along with the development of the strategies and guidelines to show a strong national bond. On the other hand, the center must play the role of the queen bee that those bees all of the team (states) must run towards the center. Therefore, states look towards the center. And it also must have the centripetal force that all states dance in circular motion with attraction towards its center. Let’s create like “United States of Nepal”. Overall, for perpetual peace we must stop ‘Negative use of Intelligence and Power’; and begin soul- search. Let our inner being to guide us all.

Background

The people of Nepal have agreed for a federal system of government. It has brought a series of discussions about the number of the states and the boundary of the states within the country Nepal. In the context of present Nepali political discourse several doubts are arising in sensitive minds. Restructuring of states within a national boundary; unification of states to form a new nation; braking of a nation to give birth of a new nation are on going process in the history. Monarchy system has failed due to its own demerits: demerits of not discharging its honest duty towards the subjects; ruling the nation not based on the principles, which he supposed to. The monarch or king, who had has all the three principle powers of the states: legislature, executive and judiciary; as well as he had has the unsigned contract to serve the state people. With time, they became selfish and suppressor on the people; and the bond between the king and the subjects became weak. This change in the paradigm of the state administration worldwide invited the revolution, which brought changes in the governances system of the states, as well as forced the states for the restructurings. It also divided a nation; and created a new one.

It is possible for political science to suggest, “The state cannot be structured principally on the basis of fault lines (such as ethnicity, religion, population and even geography to some extent) which pose substantial threat to national unity in the event of mismanagement”. In these lines political science is just providing a theoretical principle for national integrity, but at the same time it is indicating towards the ability and effectiveness of the administration.

There are evidences to support restructure of states based on ethnicity, language, region, and population. Basically the revolution is against untruth and injustice, for the human right.

Before the British- empire, in India, there approximately four hundred sovereign states those were headed by kings/monarchs. When the kings left the serving subjects, and stated serving themselfs; the states and the subjects rejected them, it is so simple. The creation of Pakistan on the map of the world is based on the religion, further the division of Pakistan, and creation of Bangladesh is language and geography based; while discriminative administration of West Pakistan (presently Pakistan) towards the people of East Pakistan (presently, Bangladesh) was the revolution -igniting factor. In the recent years, within the Indian national boundary, several states have restructured; and new states have come into existence: such as Jharkhand state from Bihar state; Uttaranchal from Uttar Pradesh; and Chhatishgardh from Madhya Pradesh. These are evidences of creation of ethnicity-cum geography - based states. Therefore, in the present context of Nepal, it is totally baseless to say that ethnicity, religion, population and geography will be not the basis of state restructure.

For others, those who dream a united Nepal, the way the debate on state restructuring is going on, is satisfactory; as it is engaging people to think and bring new possibilities out for harmonious co-existence. As far as the issue of “identity politics” arises; identity is a basic human need, and right. Trinidad and Tobago, a twin islands, a sovereign country, in which Tobago has fifty four thousand population and 41 by 14 kilometer area; where as Trinidad has population of 1.2 million and land area of 80 by 60 kilometer. The importance of identity can be seen with the name of nation “Trinidad and Tobago”. Newly formed Indian state, ‘Chhatishgardh’ indicates a union of thirty six (Chhatish in Hindi) states, which were in existence in earlier time. Without identity man is nothing, but a mass of flesh, bones and blood. If someone’s identity is grabbed; it is quite natural that at every possible forum, he will try to get it back. Is it not a reality, millions are without identity in present Nepal?

The on going discussion on state restructuring is scientifically sound, and evidence- based. It is just based on two principles of life:

The first one: “Every action has opposite and equal reaction.”

This principle of physical science is also applied in the human life. If we have not realized it then we need to do it.

The second is: “What you sow, so you reap”.

What is happening today in Nepal, it is a just reaction of the past actions; as well as, the grown plants from the seeds those were sowing earlier by the rulers?

Evidence based states restructure

We must patiently accept the reality. Overall the interpretation of an event largely depends upon the observer’s mind. How does he articulate his own reasoning? Some see a glass half full, while others see half empty. In both circumstances, the truth is the same. Positive minds see positive aspect that is fullness of the glass; and express joy and hope; but negative minds see the negative aspect that is emptiness of the glass (and forget half glass water filled); and project the vibrations of sadness and hopelessness. In present situation of the country similarly, both sets of reasoning will emerge depending upon, how we take it.

In our view, in the country, the limitation of the monarchy within the smaller communal groups has given rise to the democratic forces, which had accommodated a comparatively larger communal political group; but their failure to accommodate all the societal forces on the widest range is the responsible for the present situation. Thus, we find that now the country is moving from smaller communal politics to a bigger communal politics. But, there is need, for the country to move from the communal politics towards true democratic process. Even, in the period of democratic government, democratic process didn’t reach to the common people; just it remained in the pockets of few politicians. The communal politics is a snake with less poison. The major poisons of the Nepal politics are Deceive (Untruth) and, Injustice. Till date it is going on. Basically the revolution is against untruth and injustice, for the human right.

A holistic view of the yesterday -Nepal spontaneously revels that it had the body of a state, and the mind and the spirit of an enterprise. It had has all the three organs of a state – the legislature, the executive and the judiciary system. That represents the body of the state. But the administration was not based on the legislative laws; and further the judiciary was not independent for the people purpose; therefore, the state had lost the spirit and thinking of service and welfare of its people. It had projected as a state and behaved as an enterprise. It is the people who provide to a piece of land the potentiality to be a state. A land without people is not a state. We see hopes in future for a better Nepal.

Our mind doesn’t digest the idea, “That said we just cannot restructure the state for a particular class, ethnic group, religion, region or language, which will prove suicidal in the long run.”

We feel that the present situation is very serious. Nepal can’t afford to act on this idea. The implementation of this thought will be proved immediate suicidal for the nation. No time to wait for long. It is like refusal of medication in the fear of side effects, and being unaware that the disease will kill in the absence of medication. About some year’s more than two centauries ago, Nepal was limited to a very small valley of Kathmandu; and over sixty principalities had been conquered and forced to constitute the modern state of Nepal. In reality: a few have availed the benefits of the union; while the rest are suffering. Millions are without citizenship; their language and culture have been eroded. Their lands have captured. We must accept that the previous governments, under the cover of unification, have developed colonization. Do they, who are colonized, have right to come out of the colonization! United Nations has declared that colonization must come to the end globally. Most of the colonial states of the world have got liberation.

State as per people’s consciousness

In the spirit of the time, it is the only suited best possible solution for the restructuring of the states that let the people decide according to their consciousness, even it based on ethnic, language, region and population. It will finally lead to democratic process. But, we must remember, the federalism is not the solution of all problems. The transformation of thinking and act, over all behaviour, of politicians and administrators, which is just a nightmare in the present context of Nepal, deciphers the existing problems at large.

We must come out of ‘Armed force- Dilemma’ that false unification of Nepal can be prolonged by the application of armed forces. People have right to go back to the history; and regain the shape of their states, what those were before the conquest. The fact is; in spite of all injustice and deceive, suffering and agony, people want to remain united; but with identity and in the spirit of real unity based on truth, justice and human right. We like to suggest:

In the spirit of the time:

  • Let the people do the restructuring of the state as per their consciousness.
  • Impose responsibility on them to demonstrate the mechanism for maintain inter states; and state -center cordial and professional relations.
  • They should also develop strategies and guidelines to show a strong national bond.

On the other hand,

  • The center must play the role of the queen bee that those all bees of the team must run towards the center. Therefore, states look towards the center.
  • The center must have the centripetal force that all states dance in circular motion with attraction towards its center.

Let’s create like “United States of Nepal”.

Ruling class were knowing very well that state is not pro-public; and it does not have maximum people participation and representation, which is the essential requirement of our state. Even, during the revolution none tried to correct, but all forces were engaged to suppress the people’s voice.

Negative use of Intelligence

Like another sovereign country on the earth, definitely, Nepal is a great piece of land. Common Nepalese are also great. Are the nation –leading people the same? Observation of one’s own weakness and strength, in national life, has high priority for top position occupying personnel in all organs of the state. Common people just follow them.

Present race of globalization provides a wide space and broad range of give and take opportunities. Again, it depends upon us, “How do we see it? How do we adopt it?”

Do we promote our valuables ‘human values’ globally; or bring home absolute materialistic concept among poor masses. We must remember the ancient teaching- once, the intellect (mind) is influenced by greed and ego, delusion appears; then intellect starts engineering untruth and injustice, which reflect in practice that, in long run, gives birth of negative use of weapon (i.e. terror with weapon).

Way forward to peace

Overall, for perpetual peace we must stop ‘Negative use of Intelligence and Armed force’, as well as engineering of untruth (deceive) and injustice in our mind; and begin soul- searching. There is always enough room to accommodate all, if we have intense inner desire. Let our inner being to guide us all.