Held hostage- Nepali Times

Editorial
Held hostage

FROM ISSUE #479 (04 DEC 2009 - 10 DEC 2009) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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KIRAN PANDAY
It is pretty obvious what all the petrol queues, the harvest seizures, land grabs, extortion and hotel strikes are leading up to: the nationwide general strike that the Maoists will enforce on 9 December. The Maoists are holding a gun to the head of every Nepali to threaten the ruling coalition to take them back into government. It is a hostage situation.

There is a sense of desperation in the Maoist strategy. The whole idea is to disrupt life, spread chaos and a sense of total breakdown so that a fed-up populace will say ok, let's put them back into office and get it over with.

There is no doubt that being the largest party, the Maoists deserve to be in the coalition. In this paper we have repeatedly called for a national government made up of all large parties, because it is 'unnatural' (to borrow Pushpa Kamal Dahal's phrase) for it to be any other way. But the Maoists have been their own worst enemy by being unable or unwilling to rein in their violent vanguard units and their use of terror and by making no attempt to hide their end goal of totalitarian control of the state.

Whatever is holding up the power-sharing agreement, these strikes and disruptions are pressure tactics to improve the Maoist bargaining position. It is a time-honoured tactic practiced by past masters of this art, that is the NC and UML since 1990: you punish the people by ordering stoppages to harass your political opponent.

Take the threatened hotel strike. The party's central union has directed its units to go on strike demanding salary increases commensurate with the civil service pay hike earlier this year. That increase was announced after many years, whereas the hotels have been hiking staff salaries almost every year and the lowest salary of a hotel worker is more than double the minimum wage.

The Maoists have chosen a soft target to make a populist move against rival unions. It is no coincidence that they have chosen the hotel owned by the president of the Hotel Association of Nepal, Shangri-La, and two hotels where the state has shares: Radisson and Hyatt. They have threatened to harm the children of mid-level managers in these hotels to force them to join the action.

There are indications of a major split between the top union bosses in the Maoist party and their second echelon, mainly over the spoils of extortion revenue. The hotels, the petrol stations, and the Nepali people are ensnared by a revolution that is now beginning to devour its own children. We can't do much but endure the next two weeks of turmoil the best we can.

The ideal outcome would be a deal that gives the Maoists a face-saving exit from an agitation of their own making so they can rejoin the political mainstream. But as long as this party continues to believe in violence and refuses to stop sowing terror there will be no space for it in this or any future state mechanism.

1. ashuosh
The rhetoric from the right, too, needs to be reined in. There's a clear danger that you might run out of hyperbole soon.

Posted on: 05 DEC 2009 | 10:51 AM NST

2. Photographer
Abuse of power is fascinating. Games work when we play along.

Posted on: 05 DEC 2009 | 2:56 PM NST

3. jange
Now let me see if I have got this right. The Maoists start a campaign of murder, loot, extortion and mayhem some 15 years ago and the Dixits hail this consider this to be a revolutionary act, bringer of change to Nepali politics and consider this to be inevitable because of ... (fill in your left wing liberal fantasies). The Maoists win a large number of seats using threats and intimidation and preventing other parties the space for political competition and the Dixits call this demoocracy. And now when the Maoists do the same to try and get back into power they complain!!

Posted on: 05 DEC 2009 | 3:53 PM NST

4. Arthur
Please do not follow the wise advice from ashuosh. It is very entertaining as an english speaking non-Nepali to read such right wing hyperbole. Our own right-wingers are nowhere near as funny as the medievalist ones in Nepal. Civilian supremacy was established hundreds of years ago. Any mildly insubordinate general would be sacked by any english speaking government without hesitation. A far less obnoxious King than Nepal's had his head chopped off in sixteenth century England. Nepal's revolutionaries are very restrained compared with the revolutions Western countries went through to escape from backwardness and ignorance.

Posted on: 05 DEC 2009 | 6:34 PM NST

5. ashuosh
Arthur ji, It's not about East or West. Far more obnoxious rulers than Gyanendra who're responsible the murder of millions in Iraq and Afganistan are living comfortably in retirement. So let's stick to the context. The point I'm trying to make it is that the media, especially the house of Dixits, could act bit more responsibly. This kind of amateur rhetoric half-truths are not friends of peace.

Posted on: 05 DEC 2009 | 2:27 AM NST

6. GyaRel
Binas kale biparita buddhi. Maoists, if they don't get access to national coffer, then they will soon break up into two factions: BRB vs Hardliners. India is not in their favor, therefore, I donot see a chance for them going back to war, but chaos will continue to rule the country. They will continue run rhetorics and provoke innocent citizens and unemployed youths. So, what is the solution? It is a million dollar question, and there is no hard and fast rule. My solution is to use observation method. One of most viable solution is to push for the money for combatants who are currently living in cantonment, and the money allocated for them most go to their bank account, and deposit it in saving or fixed deposit for one year. I mean let no one take the money out of the account, and only a limited amount like the salary they are currently getting can be allowed. Those who wants to go back to school, let them use that money for school or any vocational training. We must make sure that the Maoist leadership does not get this money into their account. A law must be passed now, to help all working class citizens, that salaries should be always paid in the form of Bank Check, not in cash. In US, Indian biz people do use cash to hide tax. Us Govt and Japanese Govt. asks employer to pay the salay in Checks or deposit it directly to employees bank account. Let the bank offer free deposit. The government can track all money flow and avoid defaulters. Eventually, the tax invaders can be caught and jailed, sooner or later. It will help all of us including the poor guys who in name of job are living in cantonment. Go ahead, do it. Press like Nepalitimes.com must push for such measures. I wish you guys good luck and have a great success in pushing the legislation for greater good. GyaRel GyaRel@Live.com

Posted on: 06 DEC 2009 | 10:34 AM NST

7. Arthur
ashuosh, thanks for your response. Naturally I do not understand the context, but as a foreigner reading the english language press in Nepal my impression is that the amateur hyperbole from the anti-Maoist media only harms them (likewise the hyperbole in english language maoist publication "Red Star" harms the revolutionary side but presumably improving english language publications is not a high priority for the maoist party as there are much more important tasks). Nepali Times is generally better written and less hysterical than other english language publications. This conveys the impression that the status quo in Nepal could be made viable. When it starts shouting too, I do not see how that undermines peace. I only see that it undermines any illusions among english speakers that the status quo is viable. At the end of the day, neither side wants to go back to war and no foreign country wants to intervene. Every day the status quoists prove that they cannot develop Nepal and cannot govern but can only shout. So they have less and less support both inside Nepal and worldwide.

Posted on: 06 DEC 2009 | 11:22 AM NST

8. ashuosh
Arthur, thanks to you too for the comments. I agree with you that this newspaper stands for status quo. It wasn't always the case but as soon as the Monarchy was over, it seems like they've been having perpetual nightmares and fantasies about another dictatorship. I do not expect objective reporting from Nepal media, given how much they are beholden to elite interests and the donors. All I wanted to ask for them is not to be shrill. It gets very banal even before you open the papers.

Posted on: 06 DEC 2009 | 12:20 AM NST

9. shellfish
What I find truly hilarious is calling Nepali Times "right wing". Anyone who has followed this paper knows that if anything the editors are left of centre anti-free market liberals and at one point veered very close to being Maoists themselves, until they got beat up by them I guess. Advocating for non-violence and calling on the Maoists to turn away from their politics of threats, intimidation and extortion seems to be Gandhian, if you want to give it a name. But it's too late and too unrealistic to expect the leopard to change its spots and become a deer.

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 9:00 AM NST

10. Patriot
Really, its amazing how the so called intellegentsia categorize Nepali politics into left, right, left of center etc as above, as it fits into their perceived superficial ideas about state of things, which have made them eat their hats time and again. These communists (including Maoists), liberals, rightists are after all hues of deception, a facade to give continuity to elite rule, a revolving door at best, that has always lacked true equality and democracy. Nepali politics is all about brinkmanship and no one should be surprised of what tactics Maoists use. They are still the most progressive force in the country when we have to choose between the devil and the deep sea, and their unilateral declaration of federal states is a right decision. The current govt dont have any business to be there in the first place.

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 3:20 PM NST

11. Jange
Ah Mr. Patriot, the Maoists are indeed the most progressive force in the country. They are so far ahead with their "politics" of murder, loot and extortion that only a few have been able to follow in their footstep. If only the rest of the political parties followed their lead Nepal would be heaven on earth. What was it someone once said about patriots and their last refuge?

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 4:02 PM NST

12. Arthur
shellfish, apparantly from opposite perspectives, both you and ashuosh agree that the attitude of Nepali Times (and especially this article) has become much more negative and much less positive towards the Maoists than it was in the past. I do not disagree with either of you about that. To me it is consistent with being a "status quoist". The old status quo under the monarchy was completely unviable and supporters of this paper (presumably unlike shellfish) were wise enough to recognize that and advocate peace with the Maoists. Now there is a new "status quo", and therefore also new "status quoists". It is an improvement on the old status quo and naturally some people (especially in Kathmandu) are satisfied with that. They hoped and wish that the Maoists would "rejoin the political mainstream" as the editorial says. But the Maoists are not status quoists. There is a new political mainstream in Nepal even though it is far from mainstream among the (very small) minority of readers of english language publications. That new mainstream is determined to replace the present status quo with a "New Nepal". When a status quo is viable, its supporters are smug and complacent, but never shrill. The minority of radicals is more likely to sound shrill. The fact that the present status quo is not viable is becoming more and more obvious each day. One symptom is that its supporters are becoming so shrill. Another symptom is that the status quoists are becoming indignant against such moderate international influences as the UN and International Crisis Group. Even the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other "donors" are provoking indignation for "interfering" by insisting that Maoists be included in funding discussions since after all, no development can actually be achieved without them. In the West these institutions are not widely regarded as hotbeds of radicalism. They are Western status quoists. But Nepal's new status quo is still so utterly ridiulous by any modern standard that they look biased towards "Maoist totalitarianism" according to Nepal's status quoists.

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 6:09 PM NST

13. Patriot
Dear Jange, I can understand where you come from. I am from the so called state branded 'janjati' clan, for whom identity and correction of centuries of ethnic marginalization is on top agenda. Are you the Kangressi status quoist, or pendulum UML? See, we are a highly polarised society k garne, and believe me when I say I am no fan of Maoists and am aware of the nadir they have taken the country. But I prefer Maoists, as they carry out our ethnic agenda. I also believe they need to eat the humble pie to remind them they are only 1/3, and hence cant bully rest into submission, however, they still look like angels to me compared to India sponsored UML, Congress. I am not parroting Maoists propaganda, as I believe I am an informed citizen and yes it tears me apart when I see the looting, killing of the Maoists, but how different are they from the other parties who have systematically reduced the populace over the decades with their illicit dealings. The Maoists are nothing but a byproduct of those parties' unholy existence to whom you subscribe. This is a power struggle and unfortunately in Nepal such struggle is carried out too far. After all what do you expect of our illiterate Nepalese when they are pushed to the brink? manners & gracefulness?

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 9:37 PM NST

14. ashuosh
Well, if it's so hilarious, why isn't anyone smiling around here? Nepali Times rightward bend has real consequences in these volatile times. Their caricature of the Maoists, unfortunately, is how the "international community" forms opinions about Nepali politics. Regarding the right/left inclinations of Nepali Times, just read their coverage during the Sacking of Katuwal and the subsequent coup by the president. More blatantly than Nepali TImes', Himal Media's Nepali language publications (Himal Khabar Patrika) was engaged in systematic distortions and unsupported stories about the imminent Maoist coup. A credible media does not push rumors as facts. Nor does it engage in what could be taken as psy ops in a volatile political climate. That kind of scare tactics and fear mongering is not good for the country. Arthur, what do you mean by "modern standards?" Do you think Nepali standards are Medieval?

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 10:19 PM NST

15. Shellfish
Arthur, not entirely sure what you accused me of there. You cannot call me a royalist just because I dont support the Maoists' tactic of violence, extortion and threat. They were elected (cheers to democracy) but we have had enough of their tantrums. Either join the government or be a formidable opponent. They can't keep creating a perpetual environment of fear just because they are losing their grip on power. And, what you call moderate influence of the likes of UN and ICG is actually filled with lefties who I think come to Nepal and realise - oh actually its not really a fight between a center left and center right as they read about and voted for in their country, but as you say, between a medieval left and a right. As to ashuosh's claim I think the international community's (barring United States) unequivocal support of the Maoist in the recent times shows that they they aren't lapping up the right wing hyperbole of Nepali Times, if it was advocating such a thing.

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 11:03 PM NST

16. ashuosh
"They were elected (cheers to democracy) but we have had enough of their tantrums." The quote above summarizes the prevailing sentiment of Himal Media, NC, A faction of UML, the Army, and generally the hune khane people of Nepal. It's a dangerous sentiment. And it betrays the undemocratic character and hypocrisy of those who espouse it, including this newspaper.

Posted on: 07 DEC 2009 | 11:47 PM NST

17. Arthur
Well, this is an interesting discussion! I hope it continues both now and on other editorials in future issues of Nepali Times and that there are many other such discussions. Re 14 and 16: Ok the prevailing sentiment among the well-off is hostile. But why is it "dangerous" for them to betray their undemocratic and hypocritical character? If the english language media of the well-off has (or had) an influence on "internationals" isn't it better for them to make themselves less credible? In 15 Shellfish confirms and helpfully illustrates my second symptom that the new status quo is unviable by saying "the likes of UN and ICG is actually filled with lefties". Is that really "dangerous" or just "shrill"? Shellfish worries about being accused of being a royalist, but to me this sounds very like K P Oli of the "Unified Medieval Laughingstock", not royalist at all, just "status quoist" (and medieval) as always. According to Shellfish: "the international community's (barring United States) unequivocal support of the Maoist in the recent times shows that they they aren't lapping up the right wing hyperbole of Nepali Times, if it was advocating such a thing." We have consensus that nobody is lapping it up. Perhaps we could also agree that (Nepali Times) "might run out of hyperbole soon." What then? Danger of civil war? Or more people dancing and laughing in the streets?

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 9:10 AM NST

18. Shellfish
Exactly ashuosh, why is it dangerous to call on the Maoists? Why, oh why, can we not expect them to act like grown ups? I dont think this betrays the undemocratic character of anyone. On the contrary, I think it brings to light what needs to be brought to light. Isn't that what democracy is about? If anything, your argument seems undemocratic - everyone should shut up because they don't think like you. Arthur, thanks for elaboration, and I love the wonderful new phrases you come up with in every posts. What I said earlier was that I expect the Maoist to participate in the political process in a constructive manner. Apparently it makes me status quoist according to your prude definition. Fine. I think the path they are on now is a dangerous one for the country. Will it lead to civil war? I dont know. But it will definitely halt, and reverse, the progress we have made so far. As to UN and ICG being filled with lefties, is it just shrill? Perhaps. But aren't they supposed to be "helping" us out here?

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 10:19 AM NST

19. jange
Mr. Patriot, blaming the way your ancestors may have been treated for you present condition is a cop out. If this is the case I am sure I have a better claim to whatever should be demanded from the rest of society than you have. And so do millions of others. So, you prefer the Maoists because they carry out you ethnic agenda, which is what, exactly?? In other words, you prefer that the Maoists do your dirty work for you so that you can further your own political agenda. This is plain dishonest. At least the Maoists cannot be blamed on this score. They are very clear- give us what we want or we will kill, maim, loot you. Think about your position.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 10:39 AM NST

20. ashuosh
"They were elected (cheers to democracy) but we have had enough of their tantrums." - Interesting that people see different things in that quote, which, incidentally, is also the official stated position of this newspaper. The danger in that sentiment lies not in revealing the hypocritical character(that is always welcome) but in the belief that being elected doesn't count for anything unless they "behave" (i.e. not interfere with the interests of the upper class). And who decides how many "tantrums" are one too many? Patan Dhoka, Chauni, or New Delhi? You're free to criticize the Maoists. But you're not free to insist that they should be acceptable to you and your class in order to govern. That's exactly the attitude that has created the present confrontation.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 11:35 AM NST

21. Shellfish
I think GOD decides when we have had too many tantrums. Seriously?? It seems to me that you are okay with them being an absolute idiots because they were elected. No sir, being elected does not mean you can use threats, violence and extortion to meet your political ends. Is that the kind of democracy you have in mind? And why does opposing Maoists and their violent tactic automatically mean I am an upper class? It seems to me that you are implying that I dont have the mental capacity to make up my mind about my political beliefs, and that my class determines my belief. Let me make this easy for you. I have no interests to protect. My interests are my freedom, and the right to exercise my freedom in an environment free of fear. And I dont have to insist that the Maoist be acceptable to me. If they are not, I go and vote for someone else. But being voted is not a license to do what you will. Remember people gave them that power and they can take it away from them. If anything what I am suggesting actually is beneficial to Maoists' in the long term.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 11:57 AM NST

22. ashuosh
I recommend you go easy on the shrill pill.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 12:10 PM NST

23. Patriot
Jange, timi kura kasto na bujheko! look around you. you and your bahunists were responsible for bringing Nepal to this state in the first place. and now when we assert ourselves, you come up with your usual erudite stuff and will say everything but address the real issue. i always hear your likes creating a brouhaha over E.f. and that it wont work and what not. how do you know? has the current system worked? To keep a country together like Nepal, leadership has to be by example, and it's proven bahunists are incapable rulers. Ethnic politics is here to stay till the day everyone feels they have a stake in the country, and the grip of one small minority over the rest of population is loosened. Timi le bhanera k huncha? tungo na fed ko kura ... And why are you telling me to think abt my position. arthi deko ho? I cant think for myself ho? I know what I want for my people and for Nepal. Maybe you should go talk to your leaders who continue to create such a sicko drama for all to see. You and your ilk have no moral authority to suggest what is good for rest of the population.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 2:35 PM NST

24. Arthur
Shellfish insists that the Maoists should "grow up and act like adults" and demands that they should "participate in the political process in a constructive manner". But the real problem is that Nepal's "political process" is completely absurd and the Maoists are too grown up to join in the childish games while the poorest country in south Asia competes with sub-saharan Africa for "donations" instead of joining its two neighbours in actual development. The 22 parties are having tantrums about the Maoists dancing in the streets (and violent tantrums about landless peasants building huts in the forest). But the Maoists are responding to these tantrums with great restraint and simply proceeding to organize wider support and proceed with the restructuring of the state that was agreed to years ago but has been blocked by the "political process". Since the well off know there are far too many poor people in Nepal to beat the Maoists in elections and that neither the Armed Police nor the Nepal Army could beat the Maoists in warfare, all that remains is to try and sound "dangerous" by shrill shouting and hope that will at least attract more international donations for the well off to live on.

Posted on: 08 DEC 2009 | 2:49 PM NST

25. Sargam
Maoists alibi to create ethnically divided Federation will sure enough turn into a fiasco as they have no substantial background to withstand the heavy cost behind erecting the whole resetting of administrative network. In the past never different states were created from scratch by the central government to impose Federalism. There existed already the different states and later on they were federated to create a viable and federal nation. At length, when Maoists would need 60 percent of surplus money to make run the country all donor countries would desert this country by leaving the populace to starve to death like in Zimbabwe and Somali. Communism is a failed ideology. It made illusions erstwhile because of prevalent miseries. And people used to live cut off from the rest of the world. As of now the populace sees everything in the telly, what is good and what is bad. As such they can no more sell the pipe dreams by compelling the poor and illiterate to vote for them thanks to vain promises of brighter future by means of ripping off those who have accumulated wealth by means of hard working. But the promise of robbing Peter to pay Paul could be hilarious to hear for those who have nothing but in reality this act is sanctioned by the justice as a simple criminal act. Still, there is a big process of Maoists' past larceny to come. Those who have done exaction and have shared the spoils will sure enough end up on the gallows.

Posted on: 09 DEC 2009 | 11:09 AM NST