Nepali Times
RUBEENA MAHATO
This Is It
The losing game


RUBEENA MAHATO


PICS: SUNIL POKHAREL
TO EACH ITS OWN: Tharu community in Attariya demanding Kailali and Kanchanpur to be split from the Far West .
People of Dadeldhura demanding a united Far West. They want Dadeldhura to be the capital.

If anyone still had any doubt that the delays in finishing the constitution was never about ideological differences between the parties, and more about give-and-take over power sharing, Tuesday's agreement should have put those doubts to rest.

We have decided on a mixed form of governance not because that is what the country needs, but just so Pushpa Kamal Dahal can become the next directly-elected president. To let him do that we have closed our eyes to all sorts of complications that can arise from dual power centres of having the parliament elect a prime minister, and the people elect a president. And this is supposed to put an end to political instability caused by a parliamentary system?

The number of states, their boundaries and what to call them have always eluded consensus. But this week we suddenly have an agreement on a 11-state model with names and territories of the provinces to be decided later. We would have liked to believe that the decision on 11 states was an outcome of serious discussion among academics and experts. But like the form of governance, it was just a part of the package deal on power-sharing.

The parties cut themselves a political deal, and voila all contentious issues on the constitution were suddenly resolved. This is always how decisions have been made in this country. Not, as we naïvely believed, because the parties had woken up to the urgency of meeting the constitution deadline, or because they were concerned about the country's future.

It is becoming clear that if the Indian ambassador had not speeded up the power sharing deal among the parties, they would be squabbling till D-day and beyond. It is pointless to lament foreign interference when our leaders are so hapless. If we don't clean up our mess, our neighbours will do it for us. But Tuesday's agreement sets a bad precedent: the ambassador of a foreign country midwifing a new government in the parlour of the chairman of the largest political party. Where else on earth does this happen?

And so it is with the Europeans and their stoking the discontent of ethnic pressure groups. Members of the Janajati caucus in parliament are recipients of foreign funding and the caucus has now become a parallel power centre beyond the control of parent parties. Will the donors take responsibility when, instead of giving a political voice to Nepal's marginalised, their money directly contributes to taking Nepal back to the days of squabbling fiefdoms?

To be sure, there are lots of things that need fixing. Caste, gender and ethnic discrimination are rife despite laws against them. The civil service and security agencies have a disproportionate number of people from the traditionally dominant groups. But there are ways to deal with social injustice, and they don't include weakening our national unity and shredding our social fabric.

A constitution is not just about content, but also about process. What is the point of having a CA if the constitution was going to be written by a dozen priests behind closed doors? Far from reflecting the aspirations of the Nepali people, it seems our CA members and leaders will stand for the interests of donors and pressure groups to which they have sold their loyalties. Last week's Himalmedia poll shows that the caucus and other proponents of ethnic federalism are out of sync with public opinion even among their own communities.

And this is why federalism, when it is finally instituted, will not improve things. We are going to remain a country that will have top-down governance, except that instead of having one centre we are now going to have 11.

A strong, united and independent Nepal hardly seems to be on anyone's priority list. We are too busy fighting amongst ourselves to notice what we have lost. This is exactly the kind of situation demagogues hope to get us into so they can benefit from the chaos and anarchy.

Read also:
Damage control mode

After a people's war, BIHARI K SHRESTHA
We can have federalism if we must, but it is guaranteed to keep Nepal poor

Fooling some people all the time, ANURAG ACHARYA
A new constitution may eventually be declared on 27 May but the compromised document will leave many dissatisfied



1. who cares
" And so it is with the Europeans and their stoking the discontent of ethnic pressure groups. Members of the Janajati caucus in parliament are recipients of foreign funding and the caucus has now become a parallel power centres beyond the control of parent parties. Will the donors take responsibility when, instead of giving a political voice to Nepal's marginalised, their money directly contributed to taking Nepal back to the days of squabbling fiefdoms?"



let us all pray to god to strengthen IRAN, and hope the war would start sooner. this is our only easy hope to save NEPAL.




2. Indraraj

I have been reading your articles for some time now, and have developed a certain liking for it,because I've noticed in your writing a no non-sense approach, and sanity. As our mass media has gone some what haywire,for it believes that it has the sole power to establish what is right or wrong,you give an unbiased reporting of the state of affairs.

And thus as a reader, I must thank you and wish you well,so that you continue your examination of our society in a manner not practiced by much, while liked and needed by many.



3. wtf
Fully agree with #2. Your no nonsense approach to writing stuff is much appreciated. I never thought the constitution making is such a big deal as the leaders make it appear. It would have taken maybe about a month or two had everyone sat around the table with clean hearts and good intent. But as we know those words are not in the dictionary of the politicos.

We nepali people are the classic example of 'out of the frying pan, and into the fire'


4. Fanta
Blame should be on Bahun caucus. Don't tell me that there isn't bahun caucus.

5. manohar
 
i feel the law in Nepal should state-a person will only be entitled to the office of the prime-minister or president for maximum of two terms only- that they can only take the oath of office twice only- this would solve the problem of these politicos trying to secure the post every time, all the time. This will also check prachanda aka chhcbi lal dahal's dream of ruling Nepal for his life time like FIDEL CASTRO OR KIM IL SUNG.


6. Ramprasad
journalism at its best...you just put into words what most Nepalis who truly love their country are thinking of...the entire fiasco starting from the war in 1996 to the current peace process..was just a power struggle between political groups belonging to the same ethnic group. An ethnic group who only strives for more wealth and power, an ethnic group who have no sense of morality and is willing to sacrifice any number of innocent people for the sole purpose of satisfying their vile personal needs. The lives of millions of Nepalese have been played with in the name of establishing a New Nepal..The political leaders of Nepal are like any other mass murderers and dictatotors...they should be tried in an international court of law  and put in prison for crimes against the people of Nepal.

7. kale kisne
Reading Ms Mahato is a pleasure. Feels as if I'm saying things myself. But she does it much better than I could've. Must pay tribute to her. I'm sure many readers think the same way. Thanks Ms Mahato for so brilliantly giving voice to the thoughts trapped in many a hearts.


8. dravin
What do you know about the purpose of King Prithvi N. Shah's ambitious annexation of the neighboring states? We are still kept in the dark. We strongly demand the revelation of the truth. We need reconciliation not the lies. What do you know about 2007 BS peoples movement? What do you know about Panchayat Propaganda which still divides the people? What do you know about the sentiments of the real indigenous people? What about another propaganda the "Khas Arya"? Arya? Panchayat (Feudalism) is long gone but the scar still remains in the community. We can't take this anymore. As long as these ignorant a-holes stick to the bullshit ideology based on erroneous hindu vedic varnashram Rigvedic Purusha Sukta (RV 10.90.1112), the unification of the nation is not possible. First do some research on these and then lift up the pen....

9. Nirmal

Today, thanks to the extreme left ideology of the Maoists --that we welcomed in name of the peace process-- there are many right-wing ideologues following the obsession of identity. Nothing to see with the Tamil suicide bombers of LTTE, they are the managers of ethnic advocacy organizations funded by foreign countries who can generate mass movement to challenge the political outcome of CA. They see that the most old country of the continent which has been able to survive despite of her overwhelming diveristy in culture and geogaphy in such a small torritory is falling apart and they're convinced that their time has finally arrived, that the history is with them and that tomorrow belongs to them.

  It is true that today people in Nepal live in political uncertainty and indignity and their chance to have a better life inside the country is quite far away. Then it is obvious that they look for someones to blame because they have reasons for their anger and they want solutions and clarities but how come these ethnic organizations claim that they have a solution and a clarity to cure all the ills of the past caused by the ruling elites, khas of aryan race in their lexicon? Do they have any political, economical and social vision for future apart from claiming caste based federal states? Apart from having some populist leaders who can bring hundreds of their activists to hit the streets who pass on "their truths" to "their people" through sentiments and feeling of belonging to their respective clans and not through reasons? I doubt a lot but this is how the potential nepali neonazis think and conspire against a country who has never rejected her diversity and the will to put every possible mechanisms for an inclusive society of the modern era.



10. confused nepali
certain people like no 8 would do well to control their verbal diarrhea. i have no clue what she or he is talking about. what's your point? 

11. Krishna S.
We were told in school, in sociology class, there are "char jaat" in Nepal, modeled after ancient Hindu Verna system. Fine. But what about the indigenous Tibeto-Burmen population who have been living in these hills for centuries before the arrival of the Indo-Aryan Hindus? Oh, you know what? They are mostly idiots but they fight pretty well! Lets send them to fight down south! These are some toughies huh?

Now some of these children/grand children of the "Brave Ones" happened to get some Convent education and hence started to think, and started asking for some reconciliation for historic marginalization, manipulation, utilization and systematic cultural genocide, so called "Khas" Indo-Aryans are shitting in their pants!

The smart ones among the Indo-Aryans have devised a new and brilliant defense; Let's blame it on these foreigners who are educating them in the first place. Or what the hell, Let's blame it on Indians while we are at it!

Then there are a lot of naive ones who innocently believe what they were told in school about "char jaat" crap and wonder what the hell these "janajaatis" are talking about now??

May be ignorance IS a Bliss. Or may be, moon is made up of cheesecake,and if you climb up the Empire State Building, you can grab a slice!


12. Salil
Well written. Echoes a layman's thought.

13. Kapil Nepal

Well written article by Rubeena.

#11  Krishna S.(?Chris) intent seems to be to create ethnic conflict,using lessons from his sociology class.

 "They are mostly idiots but they fight pretty well!"
"Now some of these children/grand children of the "Brave Ones" happened to get some Convent education and hence started to think."

You seem to be contemptuous of the history and intelligence of Nepalis by making such foolish statements. So you believe Nepalis,whom you term  as Tibeto-Burmese were taught to think by missionaries.

"so called "Khas" Indo-Aryans are shitting in their pants!"

You also seem to harbor antipathy to Nepalis,whom you term as Indo-Aryans,and also to Hinduism.

This is an old missionary trick- divide and rule.Make the locals fight each other,and make them all too weak to fight against proselytization and conversion.

 

 



14. Whatever
@ Kapil Nepal, sod it!

15. Naresh Newar
Good one Rubeena. A rare remark as this one, bold and accurate. Kunda dai Rubeena is a great find.
"And so it is with the Europeans and their stoking the discontent of ethnic pressure groups. Members of the Janajati caucus in parliament are recipients of foreign funding and the caucus has now become a parallel power centre beyond the control of parent parties. Will the donors take responsibility when, instead of giving a political voice to Nepal's marginalised, their money directly contributes to taking Nepal back to the days of squabbling fiefdoms?"


16. Binu
  Its all okay in your columns but i think its better if you choose not to write about politics. may be you have a compulsion: you not only write for yourself but also for a Dixit family.

Directly elected is president is the essential ( and must be executive) to Nepal given the last year experience. Why you always you fear of Prachanda? Rather advise Gyanendra, MKN or Ramchandra to prepare to be executive head.




17. vija

Ms.Mahoto says:We are going to remain a country that will have top-down governance, except that instead of having one centre we are now going to have 11. Ms.Mahato doesn't wish to name the names, but it is clear,that heads of all those eleven or whatever number will be finali there,will be the same leaders of different political parties.Not everyone was given PM chair as there is only one chair,however each of those who are hungry for political power will have a piece of cake from the cake and that is why every political leader from every party were happy and are happy to parlour secretly at the resort or at Baluwater.Typical model of distributing political power in Russia .Among every ethnic group there will be a person hungry for power and this is how maoist party simply works,finding such people and promissing such a power,talking to them in Kathmandu and assuring ,but in the end of the day,what is the real change in the constitution,nothing ,as 1990 Constitution was a good one the difference only was ,then we had Kingdom of Nepal,now a chance for everyone to become a President ,but the reality on the ground is,who can afford to participate in rallying for the Presidency.Why we have figures like Dahal,Prachandra?First in their communist blunder they promissed heavenly porridge to every poor person,that brought them numbers and people can win wars with the numbers,thousands lost ,but the result is here as it is.Secondly,Dahal and Prachandra understood ,that without USA support they could never have Communist Nepal,so to clear their names after the bloodshed,they were offered another chance to turn around and restructure the state with having President as the head of the Government,well they new it wouldn't be easy as NC UML and Madhesi wouldn't agree to it unless they could have a piece of cake too.So Federal Ethnic states was a great chance ,so the parties plunged in to get a piece .How and what happens later is not important for them now,as it must be institutionalized while parties do not change their mind.They will not as all the political leaders are happy with the pieces ,but to be in the centre,is to enjoy facilities and make others work. Those who were pushed of the chair will have succeeded.Will the state benifit from such a division,don't think so,as political leaders are least worried about the needs of the ordinary people.The only hope is that political leaders will be so hungry for political power that they will have to prove to people now by doing real things in the Federal States if they want their people to elect them and help them to push to Presidency chair, but knowing mentality of political leaders and how they operate ,is a far fetched idea for the improvement of lifes of ordinary people.Everyone is in for themselves with the constant axe over the heads as ethnic wars will be the constant danger.This is the worst seed planted by maoists,but as you know,NC ,UML and Madhesi want to eat a piece of cake too,so it is overlooked ,let the people let of the steam,they think,it was expected ,says Dahal.Whose interests is it for?Executive President and the real power even if it is divided between Parlament  and Future President is in the hands of President as he controls and gives directives to the Nepal Army.Mission complete and very soon we will have a new figure of the President.This scenario was written by a young ,very capable ,influencial person in Nepal.So let's wait for the next elections .

 



18. Prithvi
Nepal has not chosen a mixed governance system but a "no governance" system. Where is the governance of all these "crazies" out on the streets with their personal bandh's? What European government is orchestrating this unabated violence against the ordinary suffering citizens of Nepal?
A bandh is NOT a strike, it is nothing more than unlawful violence.
Get real!


19. Bipin
Can someone give Ms Mahato a pair of glasses ? Clearly, she cannot see.

20. hynea
bipin: you look dumb by having nothing to say against the article and choosing to provoke the writer. ditto with another commenter with the same initial letter in the name (#16). seriously, are you capable of writing something or presenting some argument of your own? bring them on, and challenge the writer with something.

21. Tara
@Fanta -- I think you missed the point of her article. Or is anyone with a non-'khas' last name who dares to voice dissent about ethnic politics immediately a "bahun" holdout or -- better yet! -- internally colonized?

Read this, again, as vija also point outed out:
"A constitution is not just about content, but also about process. What is the point of having a CA if the constitution was going to be written by a dozen priests behind closed doors? Far from reflecting the aspirations of the Nepali people, it seems our CA members and leaders will stand for the interests of donors and pressure groups to which they have sold their loyalties. Last week's Himalmedia poll shows that the caucus and other proponents of ethnic federalism are out of sync with public opinion even among their own communities.

And this is why federalism, when it is finally instituted, will not improve things. We are going to remain a country that will have top-down governance, except that instead of having one centre we are now going to have 11."

The critique here is not of decentralization. Neither Rubeena nor many of the others opposing ethnic federalism are speaking out against justice or decentralization, democracy, or local management! The argument here is very much one about the distribution of power, and the way in which the hierarchies and feudalistic politics we see in place today - from parties including/especially those who claim to be *anti*-feudal, but have shown themselves to be of a very different skin once they came into state power - will continue in federal states unless they are themselves directly addressed.



22. Nirmal
In few days there will appear netas from chaar or more political parties, with their kind of pragmatism in their mind who will claim to have understood "the grievances and fraustrations" of jaatiya sangathans. Consequently, the euphemistic press of Nepal will render a big applause to them but slapping athe democratic theory of people like us who have always tried to maintain it as an inalienable principle of our mode of life. Well, a PhD holder PM who needed to kill people hardly cares democratic theory less when he/she belongs to the Maoist brand. Then who cares it? An euphemistic press who is in hurry to welcome the "peaceful environment" so that their daily businesses can run without any hindrance? Or these ethnic organizations who have difficulties to differentiate the definition of modern identity from age-long ethnicity enmeshed in racial distribution of citizenship?
We're witnessing the decadence of Nepali democracy and it is high time there appear people coming up with a new sociological approach --beyond the definition of chaar jaat chhattis barna and who is indigenous and who is not--. IF NOT there is a risk that Nepali democracy dies of an unexpected consequence of its own success.




23. asha
Same on Nepalese Leaders, " If don't know what to decide for their country, how they would know how to handle it" Nepalese leaders don't know how to dance on their own rhythms so some body else making them to dance the way they dance....I think people of Nepal know this but........ very sad to see and fear there will be No Nepal one day!!!!



24. Abhishek gurung
Mahato ji, you have a powerful way of explaining things. And with that power should come great responsibility. A mighty one should always be the saviours of the downtrodden. How abt writing for the voiceless rather than for the people who want to maintain status quo and suck dry the basic rights. For one moment put on the shoes of a minority tharu and feel where it must have hurt when your identity is kaam garne keta/keti for the rulers of kathmandu. Feel how the madhesi must have felt when he had to have a visa stamp to enter kathmandu valley which is a part of his own country. Write for a cause. 

25. Saurav
Seriously, where have you been?
Nepal needs Journos like you, badly. Don't let anything stop your voice.


26. prakash pokharel
Point to be noted hare "A constitution is not just about content, but also about process. What is the point of having a CA if the constitution was going to be written by a dozen priests behind closed doors?" well writing Rubenna !!



27. anup
You have written, "We have decided on a mixed form of governance not because that is what the country needs, but just so Pushpa Kamal Dahal can become the next directly-elected president. To let him do that we have closed our eyes to all sorts of complications that can arise from dual power centres of having the parliament elect a prime minister, and the people elect a president. And this is supposed to put an end to political instability caused by a parliamentary system?"

I think we should all have a little bit of optimism. Although a directly elected presidential system could mean that Prachanda will be the next President, lets look a little beyond that. A directly elected Presidential system could mean more political stability (less rotations of the leader) in the future. Also, I do not understand your dislike for Prachanda. If the PEOPLE of nepal choose him to be the next President, let him BE. Yes, 50% of the population is illiterate, and they might not understand the fact that he is not the best choice BUT those 50% are truely Nepali too and they deserve just as much to be heard as you and I. If they are convinced he would serve them better, so be it. Maybe, then we would get a chance to see a true Bottom-up path to development that I think would work much better than the Top-bottom approach taken through-out history (starting with the kings, and until now to the system of prime ministers being elected by a select few, mostly corrupt, in the parliament). 

Lets welcome change, please. This country had been lost in the world for the past 2-3 centuries because of a lack of change/desire for change. I would like to know what you think is the best alternative to the chosen model. 



28. ravi shrestha
Why we are splitting each other, why we are blind my ethical friends NEIN is tuned by European not by a Nepali. Parallel power means Rajkumar lekhi, Gopal Kirati, Ang Kaji Sherpa, Malla K Sundar, Prithiv Subba Gurung and theirs leader Prachanda is targeting for President and so on . In this critical situation we should not have to forget one important thing respect others ethical culture and we would be succeed to save our ethics, Being selfish, we would get nothing nor other ethical get their state.Loss is of Nepali not of Brahmin baad or newa baad, or limbu ,khumbu. what we would get in return if we fight of own selfish state................     

29. Deepak
Everything looks messed up.

30. Shaisav
rubina ji.........yu are absolutely right... these Madhesis and Janajaati caucaus are being funded by foreigners and as far as the scenarios till date.I guess some larger parties are aiding them behind the curtain... Frankly its not a big issue with federalism to make....... rather we can compromises........ I strictly add that lets try wid a directly elected presidentialship of Govt wid a legislature too.... such that legislature given full authority......

31. nepali kishor
writer has demonstrated her poor and surfacial@ short of intellect all about ethnicity, socio-economic state@system of governance!! she needs to research and study over the subject b4 write!! this lacks logic!! 
the paper has hilighted her opninio as well as other so called pandits are  exalting her opinion just because it's simply written under their dogma..!! xxx


32. roshan
At least some people think about united nepal. 

33. Bhumika Ghimire
32 comments..guess 33rd won't be a big deal..

anyway, yes the country should be united, strong and not be a card in the hands of politicians. but how do we get there? is a contentious issue. I believe that centralizing everything in Kathmandu is bad. We have to de-centralize, encourage local governance and involve the local population in decision. What you said in your post on community forests is a good one.

Also, value of culture preservation can never be over stated. And I mean culture as a bond that binds us as Nepalis, not the religious/communal kind. Humans had culture before organized religion came into being. Number of experts have said that decline of local culture/ indigenous heritage in Africa hurting the continent is so many ways.

So, let us preserve our national soul-Newa, Tamang, Magar, Tharu etc, these are all OUR heritage and we have to keep them alive. 





34. Bipin Tripathi
A good read. Someone said that majority of our leaders are not leaders but led-ers. They are led. And what about us? Just cause we were born here does not make us a Nepali. What have we done for the sake of this country? What have we done for the sake of our society? Only those who have love for this land and act like they do, have the rights to call themselves Nepali. How would you like to call yourself a Nepali?

35. Shaitan
the game is about to start ... and "when you got nothing you, got nothing to lose" ... however u give ur best shot and try to win!!! this should apply to the Nepalese people (especially socially excluded) in this game...  At a certain level, i dont see no shredding of social fabric but uniting communities, reviving cultures and i hear voices of those who were never heard before... this unity if channeled correctly in harmony will definitely contribute to the nation-building ... and most importantly, its time to plan the future based on federalism instead of wasting our time opposing it... its time to construct shields to protect us from the possible evils that the new system might bring(but be optimistic about it, why oppose it straight forward?)... change is the need of the hour and dont fear it! Needless to say, at another level of looking into the matter, we can find unpleasant activities as the 'unaware' masses have been engaged in promoting communal violence... it is a possible danger and power-hungry politicians 'can' exploit the sentiments of these people... thats where media should take the responsibility of making people aware about the unbiased truth of federalism with research on the possible consequences of the models that are being proposed. About the himalmedia survey - right now, there are too many myths surrounding federalism. How can we accept the result of the survey when people are fed with constant one-sided analysis? The media has been constantly portraying ethnic federalism as a bloody future and delivering to the people.  I wonder if it was the same at the time maoist party first presented their CA elections manifesto with the idea of ethnic federalism? If ethnic federalism really meant breaking up the nation into pieces, does it mean that nepalese people are fools to make the maoist party as the largest party of nepal? the point is.... in this very sensitive hour, all the citizens of nepal should have access to unadulterated information and analysis of the situation from every possible angle.


36. yam gurung

This very unhealthy,unpleasent situation is created by the regimes itself 'Divide and Rule policy'.

Late Dr Harka Gurung very correctly said,because of the Gurkha recruitment.Adivasis,Janjatis were unable to compete within the power of Nepal.



37. salinata
why don't you talk about all those ngos and ingos run by brahmins and chhetris in the name of poor nepalis, who take all those moneys given by donors to fill their insatiable bellies. why don't you reject all those helps given by donor countries that make us dependent on them like leech. maybe you don't want to talk about those things because you can't get money from your bahun editor. if you want to talk about nepal and nepalis then talk about all those evil parts no matter who are running such evil programmes.


38. Raul
@ Fanta, could you enlighten me about the Bahun caucas  you are talking about. Perhaps it is overambitious of me to expect answers from some one who would not even give his name. 
@ Salinata I am surprised or rather not surprised that you also,only want to talk about ngo  and ingos run by brahmins and chetris . Before preaching  why don't you talk about Nepal and Nepalis too. 
 I have not  heard bahuns/chettris moaning and rightly so, why so many  newars are so wealthy, why so many  sherpas have climbed everest, why so many gurungs have won medals for bravery. 


39. Pragya

नेपाली सवैलाई गरिखान देऊ

उद्योग वाणिज्य महासंघको नेतृत्वमा काठमाण्डौंका सुकिलामुकिलाहरु (सवै नहोला) सेता लुगा लगाएर बन्दको विरोधमा र "गरिखान देउ" भनी काठमाण्डौको राजदरबार अगाडि जम्मा भई सद्भाव �याली गरे । अचम्मको कुरा, त्यही उद्योग वाणिज्य संघको आव्हानमा वितेको ७ दिन देखि शंखुवासभा पूरै थप्प गरी शंखुवासभावासीलाई "गरिखान" दिएको छैन । सुदुरपश्चिम बीसौं दिन बन्द हुँदा ती सुकिलामुकिलाहरुले न कुनै चिन्ता व्यक्त गरे, न त तिनीहरुका मिडियालाई सुदुरपश्चिमवासीहरुले भोगेकोे पिडाले छोयो । त्यसैले होला बन्दले सुदुरपश्चिमवासीमा पारेको कुप्रभावसम्वन्धी  आजसम्म सशक्त ढंगको कुनै टिभी कभरेज प्रशारित गरिएन । बरु यसको उल्टो बन्दको घुमाउरोरुपमा बन्दलाई बढावा दिइयो । आजैमात्र पनि मिडियाबाट जनजातीहरुसँग सरकारले गरेको सम्झौताको विरोधमा फेरि अनिश्चितकालीन सुदुरपश्चिम बन्द गर्ने कार्यको समाचार सूचनाहरु महत्वका साथ प्रशारण भईरहेको छ । सुदुरपश्चिमका आवाजविहीनका आवाजलाई मिडियाले वाहिर ल्याउने कामलाई प्राथमिकता नदिँदा यस्तो भान हुन्छ कि सुदुरपश्चिम यस्ता वन्दहरुलाई हाँसीहाँसी स्वागत गर्छ । राज्यको चौथौं अंगले आफ्नो निष्पक्षता र त्यसको व्यवसायिकताप्रति प्रश्न गर्ने ठाँउ छोड्न नहुने हो । नेपालको सिमानाभित्रका सुदुरवासीहरुको चित्कार सूदु....र भएर नै होला काठमाण्डौ केन्द्रीत राज्यशक्तिले सजिलै सुन्दैन वा सुने पनि नसुन्याजस्तो गर्छन् । सदियौं देखि कोही सुदु.....र भएर वा कोही निश्चित वर्ग, जाती वा समुदायमा नजन्मेको आधारमा पहिचानविहीन भएर आफ्नै देशमा विभेद र उत्पीडनबाट प्रताडित हुनुपरेको अवस्था विद्यमान रहनु अत्यन्त दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हो । राज्यको शाशन सत्ता र शक्तिको पहुँचबाट पछाडी परेका�पारिएका समूहले समृध्द नेपाल निर्माणको लागि आफ्नो भूमिका र हातेमालो गर्ने अवसरको सुनिश्चितता खोज्नुलाई गलत ढंगबाट नियोजित तरिकाले कुप्रचार गरिएको छ । राज्यबाट भईरहेको विभेद र उत्पीडनको अवस्थाबाट नयाँ संविधानमार्फत पूर्ण मुक्तिको लागि आवाज उठाउँदा सामाजिक सद्भाव खलल् पु�याएको, विखण्डनकारी भएकोजस्ता विल्ला लगाउनु कत्तिको न्यायोचित होला ? सवै किसिमको आवाजलाई उपयुक्त तरिकाले र पूर्वाग्रहीविना राज्य र जनता समक्ष पु�याउने दायित्व बोकेका र स्वतन्त्र भनिएका मिडियाहरुले पनि आवाजविहिनहरुको आवाज सही तरिकाले सुनाइदिने काममा चासो नदिँदा समग्र मिडियाप्रति नै आएको वितृष्णा र आक्रोशका कारण मिडियाको इतिहासमा अविस्मरणीय (दु)घट्नालाई निमन्त्रणा दिएको छ र त्यसमा मिडियाको कुनै दोष छैन भन्न मिल्छ र ? आक्रोश पोख्ने तरिका सही हो वा होइन भन्ने कुरामा निश्चय पनि विवादित छ । ऐतिहासिक संविधान सभामार्फत ६०१ जना सभासदहरुको वर्षौको छलफल र मन्थनबाट तयार गरिएको र उच्चस्तरिय राज्य पुनसंरचना आयोगले विभिन्न जाती, समुदाय, विज्ञहरुसँग छलफल गरी तयार पारिएको राज्यसंरचनाका ढाँचालाई रद्दीटोकरीमा फाली त्यसको ठाँउमा तीनजना नेताहरुको गोजीबाट विना कुनै आधार तयार गरिएको नयाँ नेपालको नक्सा निकाल्दा हुने यो देशमा सही वा गलत तरिका के हो भन्नेमा विवाद भई नै रहन्छ । त्यसैले, अधिकार नपाएकाले अधिकार मागेको कारणले यो शान्त देशमा अशान्ति भएको छ, सामाजिक सद्भाव खलल् भएको छ भनी गर्ने तर्कहरु कै कारण "घुस्पैठीयाहरुले पत्रकारहरु कुिटएका हुन्, पत्रकार कुट्ने हाम्रो कुनै नीति छैन" भन्ने बन्दकर्ताहरुको जवाफ बाहिर आएका हुनसक्छ जस्तो लाग्छ । 

अखण्ड सुदुरपश्चिमको नारामा राष्ट्रियता देखिने र अखण्ड तराई (मधेश) भन्दा देश टुक्राउन खोज्यो भन्ने आरोप लाग्ने कुराले खण्ड र अखण्डताको सापेक्षिकता बुझ्न मुश्किल हुन्छ । अखण्ड सुदुरपश्चिम र अखण्ड तराई जस्ता भौगोलिक संरचनामा त अहिले हामी सवै बाँचिरहेकै छौ नि । अखण्ड नेपाल भनेतापनि महेन्द्रले आधा शताव्दि अगाडि चिराचिरा पारी ७५ टुक्रा पारेको भौगोलिक संरचनामा आज हामी अभ्यस्त छौं । सवै वर्ग�समुदायलाई राष्ट्र निर्माणमा सहभागि गराउने उपयुक्त आधार विना विकेन्द्रीकरण ऐन नियमजस्ता अनेक प्रयोग गरियो तर देश उँभो लागेन । तैपनि अहिलेसम्म पनि केहीलाई उही पुरानो राज्य संरचना, उही पूरानो भौगोलिक संरचना, उही पुराना नेताहरु (०४६ साल देखि कुनै पार्टीको नेतृत्वतहमा नयाँ र आशलाग्दो अनुहार देख्नु भएको छ?) र सवभन्दा उदेकलाग्दो त उही पूरानो मानसिकताले काम गरी शान्त र समृध्द नेपाल बनाउन सकिन्छ भन्ने भ्रम रहेको देखिन्छ । यथास्थितिवादीलाई निमिट्यान्न पारी अग्रगमन र परिवर्तनको बाटोमार्फत सवै नेपालीहरु अटाउने आधार तयार नगर्ने होे भने हामी आफै प्रति इमान्दार होऔ र निर्धक्कसाथ स्वीकारौं कि शान्त र समृध्द नेपालको परिकल्पना फगत एउटा नारामात्र हो ।

मलाई लाग्छ, नेपाल आमा अहिले प्रशव वेदनामा छ । परिवर्तनको यस्तो संघारमा उठलपुठल अवश्यम्भावी छ । पूराना शक्तिकेन्द्रले परिवर्तनलाई रोक्न कुनै कसर बाँकी राख्ने छैनन् । राजनीति नामको जागिरबाट पाइरहेको सेवा, सुविधा र शक्ति उत्पीडित वर्गसँग बाड्नु नपरोस् भनी अनेक छलकपट हुनेछ । काठमाण्डौंकेन्द्रीत शक्ति केन्द्र र निश्चित एक दुई वर्ग नै समग्र नेपाल हो भन्ने बुझ्ने र तिनीहरु कै वरिपरि आफूलाई देखाउन मरिहट्टे गर्ने ऋषि धमलाप्रवृत्तीका मिडियामार्फत शव्दावलीका जालोहरु बुनेर तथाकथित बुध्दिजीवी र सम्भ्रान्तवर्गका विचारहरु परिवर्तनको विरुद्घमा सघनरुपमा सम्प्रेषित हुने नै छ । चेतनाको दीपलाई बलजफ्टी निभाउने असफल कुचेष्टा तिनीहरुले गर्ने नै छ ।  तर नेपाली जनता हालको राज्य संरचनालाई पूर्णरुपमा भत्काई आफ्नो पहिचानसहित राज्यका सवै खाले शासन शक्ति, स्रोत र अवसरमा न्यायोचित पहँचको लागि अन्तिम धक्का दिन तयार रहेको कुरा हालका शक्तिकेन्द्रहरुले जति चाँडो बुझ्यो त्यति नै तिनीहरुको शुरक्षित अवतरण सहज हुने यथार्थता तिनीहरुले चाँडो बुझोस् । हामी सवै नेपाली मिलेर बाँचौ र सवैलाई बाँच्ने अवसर पनि दिऔं अब आउने नयाँ शान्त र समृध्द नेपालमा तर कदाचित होइन विना पहिचान, अधिकार र विभेदसहित । सुकिलामुकिलालाई मात्र होइन, नेपाली सवैलाई गरिखान दिने आधार र संरचना तयार गरौ ।



40. gurkha2
//Late Dr Harka Gurung very correctly said,because of the Gurkha recruitment.Adivasis,Janjatis were unable to compete within the power of Nepal. //

Care to explain the context under which he might have said this? I am willing to listen. However, I don't see that alone is the reason for Janjati and adivasi backwardness and exclusion. At no time, where the recruitment for Gorkha regiments in UK and India were more than in thousands in numbers. Hardly a number to be a cause of backwardness - for every gorkha recruited, there were thousands who stayed in Nepal - excluded, alienated, and outside the ruling class. Most of those who were recruited contributed through remittances into the economy while in services, returning with wealth of experience and knowledge. These were never out to good use - by the nepali monarchy or the parliament.

The real reason for them socio-politico-economic exclusion was the caste system forced on them by the ruling class. It was not until recently, with political awakening, that people started asking for better government, better representation and stake in the political and economic structures of the country. Its an ongoing battle - enemies are all the same only donning a different garb today.




LATEST ISSUE
638
(11 JAN 2013 - 17 JAN 2013)


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