It struck me after reading your editorial ('Tearing ourselves apart', #185) that while I have been driving my motorbike freely these past weeks in defiance of bandas no one has ever stopped me, nor have I met with any problems. On the contrary, I see others like me also confidently venturing out and not bowing to the anarchy of strikes called by a few students with utter disregard of the welfare of the vast majority of the people. What if half the population of this country who own private vehicles were to defy the bandas as a symbol of their democratic rights?

Maybe a few people would be hassled, or a few stones thrown at us, but I believe that strikes like these will crumble before they even start, and the powers that be would think twice before dominating their views over the mass of public. This option is not open to shopkeepers and businesses unfortunately, as they are, literally, sitting targets for intimidation and mob violence. And another what if. What if the students and friends like Lek Nath Neupane, instead of following their autocratic and feudal leaders who are in it only for power, use their time to convince the general public of the worthiness of their cause against injustice, corruption and self-interest? Instead of bemoaning these strikes everytime they are held and saying "Nepal khatam bhayo" how about doing something about them? We care about our future, please don't insult our intelligence. Come and speak to us rather than making pronouncements on our behalf. Maybe we will listen and take risks together for the future of our country if you can show integrity.

Janak Wagley,
Patan