On the first day of the first session of the constituent assembly, in June, Nepal is going to be declared a republic. On that same day, somebody is going to have to be declared president. I want that person to be a woman. I see three obvious candidates.
Hisila Yami, Chitralekha Yadav, Bidya Bhandari.
But why do I feel like the UML will not push Bidya and the Congress (D) will not push Chitralekha? Hisila Yami is not necessarily the obvious Maoist name. But she sure is the most senior female Maoist. And she is a Newar. That practically makes her a Janajati, I think. So having a Janajati woman up there is even more palatable than having just another Janajati.
The Suspicion Game And The Maoists
As long as the Maoists have come around to the idea of a multi-party framework, which they have, and as long as a Truth And Reconciliation Commission deals with the agony of the decade long civil war, I for one am prepared to treat the Maoists like a political party.
That Truth And Reconciliation Commission does not have to mean general amnesty. It might still be a good idea to bring to justice a few hundred from both armies for the most heinous of the human rights abuses during the civil war. But for the most part you are letting bygones be bygones as a price to be paid for permanent peace. A Truth And Reconciliation Commission is the country seeking counselling.
Gender, Ethnicity, Caste
The Maoists have already said more than 40% of their MPs in the interim parliament will be women. They are saying more than 80% will be Dalits and Janajati, at least 20% will be Dalit. I wish they said something similar for the Madhesi, as in 40% Madhesi.
Nepali Maoists, Chinese Communists
I envision a China that is a federal, multi-party democracy where the Chinese Communist Party is still the largest party. The Maoists in Nepal stand a good chance of exporting that vision into China itself.
Here Mao, getting back at you with a few revisions.
So the Nepali Maoists becoming a legitimate, peaceful political party in a multi-party framework has larger implications.
Not Worried
You can tell I am not worried the Maoists might emerge the largest party in Nepal. I would love to see Hisila Yami become Nepal's first president. Bill Clinton is not going to be First Lad because it is Obama not Hillary who is going to the White House, but Baburam Bhattarai is a lucky fellow, he is going to become First Lad.
Bidya Bhandari: Power Woman
Interim Speaker: Chitra Lekha Yadav
Article: Security Sector Reform In Nepal: The Role Of Civil Society by Karon Cochran-Budhathoki: USIPeace Briefing: US Institute Of Peace
On The Web
Hisila Yami - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WEST PAPUA: We will be free! - NI 344 - View from the South
[PDF] Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – CPN (M)
Monthly Review November 2005 Parvati | People’s Power in Nepal
Naxal Revolution: Women and People's War in Nepal by Hisila Yami ...
Radio Australia - Connect Asia - NEPAL: Maoists fill power vacuum
Hisila Yami: Information from Answers.com
NPR : Nepal Maoist Leader: Women Driving Movement
LETTER TO THE EDITOR The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)
FreeNepal.org
Hisila Yami - Wikipedia
Naxal Revolution: Books
International Seminar on Nationality Question
Nepal Home Page Interactions
Help.com - hisila yami
Hisila Yami Wikipedia, Flickr, Delicious Bash at Bashr.com
Hisila Yami
Mero Sansar » अन्तरिम सरकारमा को-को मन्त्री ?
United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal - We Blog For Peace And ...
In The News
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Both have come out repeating the Tek Nath Rizal idiotic stand that they want the Bhutani refugees back in Bhutan. That would be a great step, sure, but is that an option? Has that not been the demand for close to a decade now? That guy Jingme Singme is not about to budge. Face the reality, folks.
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