Nation
Khanal the Trojan
The seven-point agreement is a clear signal that the Maoists are manoeuvring themselves into pole position for the critical months ahead, democracy be damned
There are two things the Maoists of Nepal have decided they absolutely can do without - the peace process which, as defined, would only partially integrate their fighters into the security forces; and a truth and accountability process which would seek to investigate human rights abuses both state-side and by the Maoists themselves. Additionally, the Maoists want to construct a one-party state through an undemocratic constitution, and be in control of government, including the Home Ministry, when the next election rolls around.
Allowed by the Kathmandu intelligentsia and the international community to shift goalposts with impunity since it came above ground in 2006, the UCPN (Maoist) has succeeded in redefining the public discourse to such an extent that ethical standards have been reduced to pulp. Our great political scientists cower in donor-funded bunkers, while a good number of the Western diplomats and donor hakims believe to this day that the party with the gun is the social transformer. The Shaktikhor videotape, the Maharagate audiotape, the official Palungtar call for revolt, the 'people's republic' constitutional draft, the diversionary call to ultra-nationalism - nothing has meaning in a world turned upside down by triplespeak.
It is as if the People's Movement of 2006 and its demand for non-violent politics and an end to autocracy never happened. Amidst a polity bombarded by Maoist propaganda, Jhala Nath Khanal and Pushpa Kamal Dahal felt emboldened enough to sign their secret seven-point deal of 3 February. They hoped that the betrayal of the peace process would be a fait accompli, smothering the social democratic middle of Nepali politics. This was a deal between the UCPN (Maoist) and the 'Maoist-Leninists' of UML, with Khanal willing to surrender the pitch of left politics to the radical communists as long as he could make it to prime minister.
The ultra-nationalist wording in the seven points is a replay of Maoist fear-mongering, as if the country were about to be invaded from the south. The clever, obfuscatory language on cantonment management guarantees the raising of a separate security corps, essentially a continuation of the 'PLA' accommodating the ex-combatants in toto. The show to handover the Maoist cantonments to the Special Committee a month ago was a fraud perpetrated on the people and the international community. The chain-of-command remains where it was, in Dahal's hands.
The written agreement on turn-by-turn prime ministership between Dahal and Khanal left parliamentary practice in tatters. The verbal agreements were even more dangerous, including Khanal's willingness to concede the Home Ministry to the UCPN (Maoist). The latter wants the ministry in order to cancel all the cases against its cadre and leaders accused of atrocities. The Maoist strategy is to speak nicely to OHCHR but sabotage the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission through tendentious appointments. To prevent investigations into Maoist atrocities, the party would willingly cancel the judicial process on excesses by the army, whether at the Bhairabnath Battalion or in Bardiya.
Home Affairs would also allow the Maoists to control the security apparatus and government administration, and define the course of the elections when the term of the Constituent Assembly ends in May. Only those who live in a vacuum - where you need no eyes, nor ears - would suggest that the Maoists deserve Home Affairs because they are a large party in Parliament, forgetting Dahal's adventurism while in government and the peace process not yet ended.
Incredibly, there are observers who believe that the Dahal-Khanal coalition represents a return to democratic governance. These include SD Muni writing in The Chandigarh Tribune, the editorialist of The Hindu of Chennai, and the reporter of The Kathmandu Post who on Wednesday lauded Khanal's "patience and principled engagement with the Maoists".
There are some Western representatives and New Delhi observers who wish to see their youthful fantasies of communist utopia played out on the killing terraces of Nepal, as if our country were some kind of an experimental station. These are the imperial progressives, with little empathy for the suffering of the people of Nepal, whose level of disinterest allows them to gloss over the lethal Maoist obduracy on the peace process. And they are programmed to look the other way when an undemocratic constitution is foisted on us.
The imperial progressives would deny that the Maoists had anything to do with the 15 continuous years of zero economic growth that continues to this day, which has impoverished the poorest citizens and left a trail of misery and migration. Who will tell the plenipotentiaries that the CPN (Maoist) started their war at a time when the economy was growing at 6 per cent?
For his part, Jhala Nath Khanal did everything possible to undermine a government led by his own party, ultimately forcing Madhav Kumar Nepal to resign while still holding a majority in Parliament. Khanal's day in the sun came when Dahal decided that since he (Dahal) could not become prime minister, and Baburam Bhattarai was to be blocked at all cost, it was better to have a puppet in Singha Darbar. Additionally, Khanal could serve as a Trojan horse into the UML bastion, to clear the path for the Maoists in the long term.
Khanal has achieved his ambition of becoming prime minister, by means rather foul. With an eye on history and his own career graph, is it possible for him now to do a course correction and stand on the side of peace and democracy? This is a question best answered by his party colleagues.
1. Slarti Sir, you have missed the train by at least five years. This is not the first time that the Maoists have deployed tricks to get their way and it would not be the last. In the near future they will be ahead and they will very likely be in control of the country in the coming year. No resistance will bear fruit for now is something that you must accept.
This time should be spent in understanding what happened and finding out the truth about both motives and causes. You will need to work hard not just for this country's sake, and therefore ours, but also for yourself. To, dare I say, redeem yourself.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 9:35 AM NST
2. Goodman
What the people of Nepal need is a total change not the outdated King or the old Congress Party. Minority UML should support the majority UCPN [Maoist] rather than the latter supporting the former. UCPN should be given the chance to do the necessary reforms in Nepal allowing them full term, then only, we can see a radical better change in Nepal. Unfortunately old & selfish political leaders of Nepal want to maintain status quo of the corrupted & exploitative rule of the past blocking the better new reforms in Nepal. It's time for the people of Nepal to rise up again and say no to old system and welcome the new system of rule in Nepal for the betterment of the people of Nepal.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 10:32 AM NST
3. Aditya Todi
There are few articles that have the ability and the strength to capture and analyze a present a story that is truthful and honest to the situation at hand. And this is exactly what Mr. Dixit is able to do. The editorial successfully brings into light the failure of our nation in a way that addresses the jeopardization of the democratic institution in Nepal by a group of political forces working together. While youths like Wael Ghonim in Egypt are protesting and rioting, risking their lives and inhabitation in the country to overthrow the authoritarian dictatorship, are we as a nation looking backward toward another authoritative monarchy in the form of the Maoists? In a time where freedom of speech still exists for the people of Nepal, we must both comprehend and spread awareness about the 'dirty' politics that the Maoist party is playing, especially in and amongst the lower strata of society. For if Maoists are able to come into complete power, censorship of media and the brutal repression of freedom to express will have to be liberties that we as a nation must forego for the crime of ignorance and inaction that we pursue today.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 11:12 AM NST
4. Ujjwal
Fooooooools the day is near when the nepali people will turn into the brave Gorkhas one more time eradicate all the leaders and will then decare Nepal a new Nepal.
Please maoist your few lakh supporters will be slaughtered please be sensible and work for the nation now.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 11:23 AM NST
5. jange
Allowed by the Kathmandu intelligentsia and the international community to shift goalposts with impunity since it came above ground in 2006, the UCPN (Maoist) has succeeded in redefining the public discourse to such an extent that ethical standards have been reduced to pulp. Our great political scientists cower in donor-funded bunkers, while a good number of the Western diplomats and donor hakims believe to this day that the party with the gun is the social transformer.
And NT is a big part of the Kathmandu intellegentsia, no? And it was an enthusiastic cheerleader in this process. Remember the NT editorial just before the election proclaiming the the Maoists were the only party of change?�
Remember also your support for the andolan that brought the Maoists to power. The NT was most enthusiastic about the need for all the other political parties to carry the Maoists political agenda. The NT too had its own dreams and experiments that it wanted tried out on the Nepali people and the Maoist created chaos was a perfect opportunity for it.
The NT were easily duped into believing that a non-violent political parties and violence based parties can and should work together. The NT abandoned the non violence principle at this stage which is what has brought us to this sorry state of affairs.
What waste- of lives, money, resources, dreams, hopes...
Aided and abetted by the NT.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 11:51 AM NST
6. Bibek Chhettri
What a pathetic piece Dixit has come up with. What are you so much troubled by the positive changes in Nepali politics? Are you having sleepless nights because the Maoists have not been wiped out as you would have liked? It won't happen just by churning out silly commentaries.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 12:35 PM NST
7. Slarti
Each element of this article deserves a comment from everybody in this country to expose how a partisan intelligentsia and its corrupt political backers hijacked the agenda of this country to advance their own Utopian agenda. All in the name of impressing each other like animals with a display of their manhood.
There are two things the Maoists of Nepal have decided they absolutely can do without � the peace process ��and a truth and accountability process � human rights abuses both state-side and by �..
Incredible how much you have managed to hide in this single paragraph.
The fact is that everybody on reflection of a little over 15 minutes could have known that peace process, including the truth and accountability commission were just the bait and the propaganda tool that the Maoists and GP Koirala used to save themselves from inevitable doom.
These two phrases helped hide the fact that they were the only two parties responsible for the crimes. GP Koirala with his deliberate sabotage of state authority through the uncharacteristically brutal repression during KS I and II, and the Maoist for their characteristically brutal murder campaign which involved maximum pain for their murder victims and terror over the entire nation.
The truth and accountability process would find that the Maoists bore the sole responsibility of brutality and murder and thieving during the insurgency. Causing disappearances and loss to a few hundred thousand families, efforts to hold people accountable would find.
(that is if they display integrity in the conduct of their business, instead of manhood displaying rhetorical vigour)
They would find that the political leaders embezzled funds, stole state property and were involved in vilest forms of treason by deliberately acting with the purpose of destroying a sense of nationhood that this country possessed.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 1:46 PM NST
8. Slarti Allowed by the Kathmandu intelligentsia and the international community to shift goalposts �� the UCPN (Maoist) has succeeded in redefining the public discourse �. ethical standards � reduced to pulp. Our great political scientists .. believe to this day that the party with the gun is the social transformer. The Shaktikhor videotape, � the diversionary call to ultra-nationalism � nothing has meaning in a world turned upside down by triplespeak.
Do not absolve yourself from the guilt of participation by tolerance.
That they were allowed to shift goalposts is a minor crime relative to the fact that their warped agenda was given sanctity by mediocre fools, and some better writers such as yourself.
It is given the strength of this pseudo-intellectual discourse which chose to paint the army and the King as villains in a sea of filth that helped catapult them to their current position.
The public discourse was, and remains, dominated by obfuscating pseudo-intellectuals who count among their talents their ability to use terms such as military-industrial complex, and comprador and contradiction, that the Maoist were emboldened enough to challenge this nation, in order to convert it into some other place.
You read the editorial pages, you know they have nothing left to say beyond referencing useless history and deriving nonsensical conclusions.
As for a world turned upside down, ask the widows and the orphans, you know nothing about it.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:11 PM NST
9. Bimalesh
It seems, Comrade Khanal read only the 7th point of the agreement.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:16 PM NST
10. Slarti The imperial progressives would deny that the Maoists had anything to do with the 15 continuous years of zero economic growth that continues to this day, which has impoverished the poorest citizens and left a trail of misery and migration. Who will tell the plenipotentiaries that the CPN (Maoist) started their war at a time when the economy was growing at 6 per cent?
Think hard and ask why this happened, the fact that they wished to stop progress, why did they want people to be miserable and what were the (true) characteristics of this nation that they wished to see destroyed.
What was the threat to their (the progressive imperialists) agenda from Nepal's which was far more equitable than they could ever dream of? Why was it that they wanted to force people to hate each other? Ask more questions, it is shocking that no one here can see through these criminals darkened souls. Perhaps it boils down to the intellectuals desire to impress each other with more and more obfuscatory, progressive sounding talk.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:18 PM NST
11. S.D.Muni
Thanks Khanal for dragging my piece into your analysis. Just four quick points:
1. How come that Khanal govt. duly elected on the floor of the CA House is not democratic but Madhav nepal's govt. was?
2. Maoists will ofcourse use Home or for that matter any other ministry to buttress their political constituencies and agenda. but so will any other party and leader. What is the difference except our own political prejudices and preferences?
3. Yes perhaps, nepali people will suffer under the present and the future govt. as they did under the past ones led by Madhav nepal, Girija koirala and of course the Kings.
4. Yes Jhal Nath made unethical moves to come to power, but what about others. were they all very pious and democratically credible? politics has always been a game of scoundrles and it remains so, in Nepal and elsewhere in the world. We cannot allocate different values to different people and forces when the conduct is similar. democracies these days are the games of manipulations and malpractices.
Best.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:22 PM NST
12. Slarti 1.By protecting national independence, integrity and sovereignty, we agree to move forward by ending all forms of feudalism, build an independent economy through socio-economic transformation, strengthen inclusive democracy and develop a pro-people political order. On this basis, we have agreed to go forward along with all the leftist, patriotic and democratic forces.
What are all forms of feudalism? Who gets to define feudalism?
What is the meaning of an independent economy? Through which type of socio-economic transformation? What would be the nature of this transformation?
Baburam Bhattarai praised the cultural revolution, does that mean they will be burning and bombing all the temples and all symbols of religious and cultural significance, including books, for the purpose of this transformation?
What is distinct about democracy being inclusive, and constitution being pro-people?
If you are leftist, how can you go along with the patriotic, what happens to internationalism, how does that reconcile with communism?
Why are democratic forces distinct from left forces when all forces promise to establish a socialist state, which is only doctrinally different from communism?
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:30 PM NST
13. Arthur
Such hysteria!
Not even Kanak Mani Dixit could say much positive about the alternatives.
Any Maoist led government would have led to even more frothing at the mouth from this author.
The MNK government was universally despised as a complete failure.
The third largest party, Congress, cannot even govern itself and is generally recognized as hopeless.
Everyone was sick of the 7 months deadlock.
But the author is really upset at the only viable alternative to continuing the deadlock.
The sheer irrelevance of the article (and most of the comments) is quite striking.
There is no alternative proposal at all. Just a sense of panic that it will be difficult to postpone or rig elections next May.
At least we are spared the usual pleas for the "internationals" to come and rescue Nepal's elite. The author is at least realistic enough to recognize that they will not.
But the hysteria is still puzzling. Did the author really have that much hope that elections could be rigged next May if the deadlock continued?
What precisely is in the 7 point agreement to cause such hysteria?
None of the points is "revolutionary" or even especially interesting.
What provokes hysteria is very simple, the single word "agreement".
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 2:37 PM NST
14. Slarti The Nepali elite completely failed to recognise that the Maoists were desperate to avoid an election which could have resulted as a fallout of the end of the CA deadline on 28 May and went to the extent of begging for an illegal extension which actually occurred some time after the deadline was over.
The Maoists put up a show of defiance and cowered the moment they realised that others would actually go for election. That was the sole reason for the extension at 1am on the 29th.
Sneaking your agenda in on the basis of blatant lies is a characteristic communist trick. "We want to be straight forward but others are not, we are the victims, we murdered people after they started resisting our murder campaign, we want democracy, but that would leave room for reactionaries so we must first kill reactionaries, .."
To be fooled by it for 16 years running is your fault, now you cannot protest that and must accept the fact that this government is as legitimate as any you could hope for.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 3:26 PM NST
15. Nobody
Mr Dixit seems quite agitated that his team lost the sport.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 4:20 PM NST
16. K. K. Sharma
Mr. Dixit's views-according-to-the-time, is useful not in its content, but to get an inkling as to how his masters in Delhi are thinking currently.
When the masters change their opinion, so does he.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 5:53 PM NST
17. Sonam
Everybody knows the problem. Why don't you come up with a solution for Nepal. We desperately needed change in every way and every sector, whether it is politics, economy, education, state restructuring, development, racism and many more. Moreover, we needed a drastic change in the system that we have embraced and I believe everybody was too comfortable with the system as a result of which Nepal is stagnant. Maoist led this change although not the perfect one and it cannot be either. They should get one chance, and like Maoist have claimed, there will only be two parties in Nepal. Thats the way it should be.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 7:04 PM NST
18. gangalal
The old man is losing his head.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 8:54 PM NST
19. Slarti Sonam,
Everybody knows the problem. Why don't you come up with a solution for Nepal.
Whose problem are we talking about here, yours or what you perceive is and should be everybody's problem.
We desperately needed change in every way and every sector, whether it is politics, economy, education, state restructuring, development, racism and many more.
What changes did we need? When you say every sector, which sector do you mean? Did you experience the functioning of every sector? If not, whose word do you take to believe that every sector has a problem?
What according to you is the problem with politics? What according to you is the problem with the economy? Can you give me two credible reason's about why the economy did not do well?
What does it take, you reckon to make things work for the economy? More politics, less politics?
What problems did you face in terms of education? Were you denied education, were you prevented from getting an education, did you see someone getting prevented from getting an education?
What kind of restructuring would you like the state to get? Whose agenda is it? Do these people have any experience anywhere to implement that agenda? Have they shown any skills in creating an effective beneficial administration?
How do you bring change, whose change, whose agenda are we talking about, whose purpose, to what end, through which process, for whom?
If Maoist led this change, then which change are we talking about? The murder campaign which you managed to witness from your outside Nepal sanctuary?
Why should there be only two parties in any country and not more? Who gets to decide which two?
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 10:07 PM NST
20. B Sharma
The old man is not losing his head. He is right. We don't want yet another 30 years regime as it happened in Egypt.Communism is a disease. When the whole world is marching forward with democratic norms and values..why we prefer these Maoism. Maoist cannot be trusted. Morning shows the day.and we saw only pathos during the night months period.
We don't need warmonger, we need diplomats who can negotiate. We don't need dictator we need statesman. We need leader who can build strong relations with our neighbors. be it India or China. I don't see any betterment and breakthough unless we can bolster good and amiable relations with our neighbors.
If a Aam Aadmi like me can understand this basic truth, why do these people pretend they don't.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 10:27 PM NST
21. hange
Mr. Dixit, it's good to see that you see the reality of the situation. Bibek, this is a pathetic piece if you consider the truth to be pathetic. I think that the Nepali people are having sleepless nights because the Maoists, the party that slaughtered its way to the corridors of power, has taken control by proxy. The insight of this editorial is not affected in any way by your having churned out silly comments Mr. Chhettri.
Arthur, it's good to see you back in full-form, drinking the Maoist Kool-Aid and towing the comrades' party-line. The hysteria is not in regards to the word "agreement" but, rather, what is being agreed upon. You yourself have been going on about how the Maoist cadre have not been allowed into the Nepal Army and how this does not follow the original comprehensive peace agreement. Now, the Maoists & UML have unilaterally decided to maintain the cadre as a separate army. A month ago, you would have thrown a hissy-fit over this. Now, you're suddenly okay with it because your Maoists have suggested it. Your usually well-thought out arguments are simply undermined by your willingness to support the Maoists at any costs. Shifting goalposts indeed.
Posted
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11 FEB 2011 | 1:22 AM NST
22. BKM
It was clear for quite a long time that all Khanal wanted to do was be the Prime minister. There should be no expectation from him. He is an incarnation of Girija who did similar manouvering in the past to bring down the Congress government so that he may ultimately become the prime minister. Khanal is just following in Girija's footsteps. So Muni is right is saying that Khanal is not the first opportunist politician in Nepal or for that matter in India. There are enough of them in his country which is still ruled by a dynasty. We Nepalese can at least be proud that we kicked out the Shah dynasty for good and hopefully will be able to do the same to the Koirala dynasty. By the way when is Muni's country going to do the same to the Gandhi Dynasty who beleive that Hindu terrorists are a greater threat to India than Islamic terrorists!!!!!!! Did the Gods come in Rahul Gandhi's dreams and enlighten him about this?
As for the Maoists, they know very well that they cannot do anything good for Nepal and the Nepalese people by following Maoist philosophies. Even Mao's China abandoned it 30 years ago. See what they have achieved by doing so. Hope the Maoists understand this and join the mainstream politics for their and Nepal's shake. Choosing to do otherwise will only bring pain and suffering to the Nepalese people and the maoist caders. The leaders of course won't have to worry. Their children will be to study in the West as in the past and the leaders will be able to hide in Delhi as they did during the previous insurgency. Or will they choose Beijing this time?
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 7:33 AM NST
23. Sad Nepali
possibility of trojan-yeah, not just a theoretical one..but practical one.
possibility of one party dream of UCPN(M). yeah, some sort of that either from one party or another, from one extreme or another
kathmandu intelligentisia- I believe did more criminal offense than parties for years, wagging tails to 'godfather' for years, running after trivial interest and achevement. You can look at most of academia ,intelligence, beaurocrat, news editor, technocrat top brass and 'truely' label them as a wagging dog of one or the other parties. Even your news media is a tagholder of one of those party , for sure.
on various scandal-shaktikhor, mahara. I guess you are right. But most of the media were right for various other scandal- tanakpur, lauda, dhamija etc( i have only 10 fingers to count) in the past. Lately, rubel chaudary, 'kujata', umakant chaudhary, Alam are doing the same. The people of past were never held for their crimes, many live as great leaders these days, some died' in glory' (GPK). Granted the state was weak enough not to catch them, but you and other 'so called think tank' were not as weak as our country. you never held them for their crime in your domain. Just jotting down a few drops of ink when things happen to sell your extra copy of magazine and then having 'undertable' deal with those guys to settle them was always the course followed by the 'type of people as you'.
I agree, the deal between Dahal and Khanal is illegal, and morally is wrong to an even greater degree. But what about the untold and unseen deal done in last decades between every politician and 'top brass thinker' and beaurocrats, with ambassdors and businessmen and 'local gangsters'. And what about the little deals- done and forgotten eg., deals for MKN or the 'so called great' Madan Bhandari to send their son and daughter for MBBS admission in India, what about the wine parties you and 'your type elites' held for years and decades for looting the country for years, making a successful career and at the end of day getting the respect ' you never deserved'. What about the deals to settle the 'scandals' that never happened
I know our 'hopeless' future in coming months and years, so do you, and so do everyone who are lucky and literate to read your article online. I know you will, and elite of your 'class' will have all the wrong words for all politican for months to come( they deserve them. from the smallest one of VDC level to on on PM and President seat). They are the 'best among worst'. And you will still have enough ink in your pen to find a 'valid' excuse over all what is happening presently.
I dont feel sad for the misery of myself, of common folk in the coming months and years. I am a citizen, I am bound to suffer.I am not angry for all the crimes our politicans have done for years to sell this land. I dont want any trial for any of our politicans. Because I have accepted them as they are. A few years later a PhD student from some 'hi-fi' country will come and make his thesis on Nepal politics in 1990's and 2000,s. S/he will find all sort of words to show them their crime. I can wait for a few years to search that meaningless dissertion in google scholar.
But i feel sad that 'top thinkers' as you-you and people of your -type,( writers, academia, administrators, project and NGO heads, contractors and doctors and engineers etc), will never be tried and held against the 'undefined crime' you never did. You and they all will be granted a successful career, their son and daughter flying and settling in USA, Australia or have a post you or they are enjoying these days. At the end of the day you( and thinkers as you) still have your pen and can wipe all the wrong things you did with a stroke of your pen. Because the sad thing is you never did anything, and nobody can accuse you for the things you never did.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 8:54 AM NST
24. Che
As I write this, I'm watching - live on TV - Egyptians celebrating Mubarak's departure in Egypt. A few years ago, we watched Nepalis celebrating the fall of the autocratic king Gyanendra following "Janandolan II". Nepalis were calling the Maoists "champions of democracy". Look where we are now. I wonder if, in a few years from now, the Egyptians will suffer the same fate as ours.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 9:10 AM NST
25. Khurafati
Maoist never loyal to their soil and soul of public. They collect the hooligan and trained them in Gorilla fighter, they looted the public and private proverty and put the innocent teachers, journalists and farmers and similar people on death to create havoc. That havoc bring them as political party. They are still live on public money. They have no vision since beginning except polishing words. Did you have visited any Model village? Any Model Farm Any Model academic training center?Did you study life style of Key Monster? Any away now they find tall donkey and want to travel the world .......Hence one's attitude intension guide the action, Maoist action never justified for Social Democracy.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 9:48 AM NST
26. jange
Looks like reality is catching up with Kanak.
As per the article he still has two more items on which he needs to do a reality check- the so called peace process and the Truth Commission.
The core issue that the 12 point glossed over is whether or not the Maoists' violence was justified and legitimate. The 12 point agreement was worded in such a manner that the Maoists could rightly claim that their violence was not only justified and legitimate but also did a great favour to the people of Nepal. So far, kanak's actions has supported this viewpoint even while he claims to be against violence. What is the peace process? A means of getting the Maoists to abandon violence or a means to impose the Maoist agenda on the Nepalis?
The truth commission is another tool to absolve the Maoists for their crimes. Kanak would be well advised to (re)study the basic principles and assumptions of these Truth commissions and then tell us if it is really applicable to Nepal.�
In allying themselves to the Maoists Kanak and the so called non violent democratic political parties sold out their principles of non violence on the alter of political expediency. Nepal and Nepalis will pay a heavy price for this for a long time to come.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 11:09 AM NST
27. Concerned Nepali
Mr. Muni does make a valid point that Nepali people have suffered in the past from all quarters and that Nepali politicians are just like other scoundrels from developing (and a few developed ones too). But he misses the following two points from Nepali citizens� perspective:
a.There is a limit to erosion of values and principles.Entering into a secret deal to share the job of prime minister to gain support from the Maoists is a record breaking example of bad value.
b.Nepali people did not endure the worst suffering in the hands of the Maoists and the State for this kind of leadership and governance.
Yes, we all have biases, the worst form being the ideological (including religion). Nonetheless, condoning acts such as this is despicable.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 11:43 AM NST
28. Gopeswornath
Hi Che(24) Majority of Egyptian still believe and trust in God (Allah) but P. khonol and K. Dohol create God just to hide sin , if cold blooded Nepali understand why they serve more than 100 countries as semi slave. many God concept ruin the unity of nepali , suffer how much suffer commoner are at mass suices. Trace out Nepali media, Mothers kills her kids and feudal-communist are in power last four year. Do you herd they have program to do ? Hence no suffer more------- mass suicide is applicable. P . JN will collect some money to send all soul to heaven but he need daxina (priest fee) .
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 12:04 PM NST
29. who cares
slarti,
i do not understand why are you wasting your thousands of words when one sentence can do the job for you:
"gyan bahadur is the greatest".
before talking none sense, dont forget the past "it was gyan bahadur who created maoist".
even after the discloser of the deeds by shahs in a book written by some shah general, you still have guts to support shahs..
a few days ago, some rana was telling how shah looted donation money meant for nepalese around 2017bs.
you need to let go the past, live in present and think about the future.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 1:12 PM NST
30. who cares "Khanal has achieved his ambition of becoming prime minister, by means rather foul. With an eye on history and his own career graph, is it possible for him now to do a course correction and stand on the side of peace and democracy? This is a question best answered by his party colleagues."
actually, this is the opportunity for uml too show its loyalty to people and democracy.
just like in movies, those who have good inside but have done bad gets killed to save others to redeem.... similarly, uml can, now, punish those have been dealing with maoist in the dark- uml should revoke their membership for 5 years. . and disregard 7 pt agreement. and make commitment regarding democracy.
is not it amazing, its maoist who never fulfilled their part of the agreement but are doing everything to make others meet their part? where is the three point agreement, 12 point agreement and many others?
does anybody know what is going on in UML? cause UML is the key for this moment.
Posted
on:
12 FEB 2011 | 1:26 PM NST
31. Mukatinath
P.P & P khonol really died� morally , physical death come any time not very important. Flag of nation should be down and few Top salute should be conducted as per latest practice.He is super selfish invited problem and put the people in dark.This will stage fresh conflict.P. khonol ... hai hai?
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 2:14 PM NST
32. Kiran
Shouldn't that be Khanal the Greek? They were the ones behind the wooden horse project - the Trojans got sliced up and burned. Mr Dixit's paranoid analysis is rooted in the fear that he'll end up playing the Trojan.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 6:20 PM NST
33. Slarti "it was gyan bahadur who created maoist".
80% of Nepal believes that, they also believe that the Royal family is responsible for stealing temple statues, of course they also believe that the present king killed his own brother. People will believe a lot of things. Unfortunately, I have seen no evidence of any of this being true, and I have heard worst things.
I am a Royalist, I do not and will never hide that fact. But my being a Royalist is a result of one simple fact. Who are the people making these accusations at the King and who are the people benefiting from it.
I find that its the same people who have so far and ever, never done anything right. I find that these people have nothing better to say about anybody. Always cynical, self-serving, and depressing the words of such characters must be taken with a pinch-of-salt.
There may be an element of truth in their statement, but that is well hidden.
I do not believe that HM King Gyanenda Bir Bikram Shah Dev qualified as a great King till recently, not during his rule, but afterwards he is the greatest.
Here is what I have seen so far.
All the accusations that have been flying thick and thin about him. What has he done to protest them? How and when did he interfere in the process? Did he make any statements after a couple of interviews? Did he in any way hinder the "progress and development" that this country has been undergoing over the past year?
Has any politicians, all sworn enemies of the crown and in particular of the last man that wore it, ever said anything about the kings interference? Do you believe that this interference would have gone unpunished?
Sure the King when out to the temples. So? Sure he talked to ordinary people. So? Has he done, said or inferred anything that would threaten the current political set-up?
Of all the endless reams of insinuating articles written about him, of all the insinuations that have been used against him, of all the insults that have been thrown at him, list me five actions, statements, and policies of the King that were harmful to the people of Nepal and were not an action that any legitimate government would have taken in the face of a terrorist organisation as murderous, brutal and criminal as the Maoists of Nepal?
You keep calling him Gyan Bahadur, this author himself and others keep calling him foolish, why?
Do I call Prachanda, by any other name, do I insult your hero Babu Ram Bhattarai? But you must insult the former head-of-state because the meanest, most remorseless bunch of opportunists would tell you lies about him?
Is that all you got mate?
Finally and most importantly, what does any of my comment have to do with the King other than this one and other than to highlight the silly role that intellectuals like this played during the insurgency.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 8:44 PM NST
34. rick flair
this article is RIGHT on. Finally telling it how it is.
no point blaming NTimes for previous opinions. at least they gave the Murderers the benefit of doubt. But now that all the cards are on the table, it's time to figure out how to take the country back from these murderers/ criminal organization disguised as a political party.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 8:55 PM NST
35. Arthur hange #21, I still think it would be better for PLA units to be integrated with other units of the NA (and other armed services). Mixing PLA units together with others will influence the existing units and speedup the democratization of the NA.
Anti-Maoist parties have objected to that for the same reason (although they call it "politicization" and making the NA Maoist instead of calling it "democratization").
Never mind the terminology. The essence of the reasons for supporting and opposing that solution are well understood by both sides.
Offering an alternative of a separate PLA force is a major concession by the Maoists to meet this objection from the anti-Maoists.
Getting upset about that flexibility means sticking to Katwal's stance of "no integration". That means no peace.
The article treating this concession by the Maoists as something obviously terrible is one example of its hysteria. It is simply hysterical to demand that the PLA surrender instead of being accepted as part of Nepal's armed forces. You can make such demands only after defeating an army, not as part of a peace agreement to avoid further fighting.
Compare the tone of the article with the many other anti-Maoists articles here and elsewhere and even with your own anti-Maoist comments. There really is something unusually hysterical about it.
Analyse closely and you will see the hysteria is not just about the concession accepting a separate force. What really terrifies the author is that there is some kind of agreement at all. The only thing acceptable to the author is to refuse to have any agreement whatever with the Maoist party.
Again, for that to make sense, you first have to win a civil war. But Kanak Mani Dixit is so hysterical he thinks he can achieve something just by shouting.
Posted
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12 FEB 2011 | 9:24 PM NST
36. rishav
Reply#35 Mr Ian Martin version 2.1
Yet again you have proved why foreigners especially those with crazy left wing views, like yourself, should really but out of Nepali political affairs and just stick to treking and hiking.
The Maoist leaders have back tracked alot on their plans on the Nepal Army espiecially from the Katwal saga and what they are prepared to accept now. The best deal for the Maoist PLA now is perhaps get a couple of thousand PLA incorperated into a security service on an individual recruitment basis.
Khanal and Dahal, may make up a 7 -point thing between them , but as with the current events are unfolding it goes against the 7 party alliance which was agreed by the Maoists as well. As General Katwal quite properly pointed out, there was no mention of integreating the Maoist guerillas on bulk entry into the Nepal Army in any peace accord especially that Dehli based 8 party pact signed by all.
What has been said before, recriutment will based on the individual skills basis to a security service, if that is really what the individual wants? The Maoist fighters quite rightly are politically indocrinated guerillas(not what I would call a democratic bunch), therefore can easily throw away the Nepali flag and rasie the Maoist flag instead at anytime. Such individuals would be a liability in any national security forces, so therefore careful re-introduction into Nepali society should be the main goal.
Even the language of the Maoist leaders have changed alot on this issue, it's time you Mr Ian Martin version 2.1 start to do the same!! Better still just BUT OUT and go find another country in this World who has a problem with communists.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 6:23 AM NST
37. naresh
I damn these sort of ballyhooed scribbles. Why?
Never talk about intentions and motives. Every man has motives. Look inside of yourself, and people similar to you make the nation.
kanak Ji! We know what your economy means? Is it that your economy is strangled whenever Maoists have their agendas, that these agendas are really pernicious for your politico-economic business? And you give a nice exit to bootlickers, Oli and Nepal. But the truth for me is: these rational looking articles trickle down deep from motives, not only from principles.
I doesn't yet make you Indian puppet. Especially because Dahal is a corrupt demagogue. Now when he betrayed man like Baburam, I think he's a job in cesspools, not in the culinary arts of kitchen. But never irk Maoists, who have ideologies, practices and your rational write-up may mess up the things and create confusion than .....
Your adjectives are oftener nice.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 8:16 AM NST
38. Simon Robins
Yet again, a member of the Kathmandu elite demonstrates not only how much they don't get democracy, but the extent to which they are responsible for abetting the political forces that seek to ensure that nothing changes in the country, and for whom the current deadlock is an optimal scenario. For the largest party (by a factor of two) in the legislature to be part of a coalition is apparently a 'threat to democracy' - it would be interesting to see what arrangement of forces in Government Mr Dixit would consider representative of the electorate.
The 'imperial progressives' of whom the author is so dismissive would beg to point out that the '6% growth' of the mid-1990s was invisible to many Nepalis, including those who supported the People's War and who voted for the CPN-M. Such blindness in Kathmandu was exactly what caused the conflict. This article appears to be a plea to ignore both such facts and to have breathtaking contempt for those Nepalis who cast their votes for the current Assembly. The commitment articulated here to no change at any price is a recipe for the continued exclusion of most Nepalis from their politics and society and a one way track to continued violence.
This article suggests that there remains a constituency in Kathmandu that still refuses to accept the fact of the Maoists as part of the the political environment, despite their demonstrable support, and appears to prefer a breakdown of the peace process to their participation in civilian governance.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 8:40 AM NST
39. Madhesi
P. P &P khainol has not self made views and regulation sense. Ex .premier has already tracked the PLA- ( peace), now he should speak for comprehensive peace including Terai. Constitution will not be declared in the extended time frame hence he should weave for another time extention.for six month. Few days more cabinet cannot take shape hence the three declare ministers and Pm should play Marriage ( Cards). Sovereign citizen and donors are providing every thing to these cunning loaders ( leader not appropriate).......... cheat the nation more Time will not come again?you Rubish
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 10:26 AM NST
40. Bikas Bahutule Kanak has developed a significant phobia of the Maoist party. For him, the previous government led by MKN was one of the most successful despite its being neck-deep in corruption and rampant misuse of the law. For the last twenty months, he did everything to please MKN and to isolate the Maoists from international community. He and the Pyakurel brothers, the so-called rights experts lobbied through the embassies, asked ambassadors of the donor nations to chide the Maoist for not accepting MKN agenda, and amazingly, succeeded in their mission for a long time. But two things rendered them naked. Lnadgren's briefing and ICG's latest report opened the eyes of the world and destroyed at one go all the ground works they painstakingly laid.
NC- UML coalition wanted to hijack the three agendas of contemporary Nepali politics-republic, constituent assembly and federalism- all created by the Maoists. Current problem emanates from not giving them their due. But the seven-piont agreement looks forward to correcting that and its natural for the Dixits to feel fire on their backside.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 11:15 AM NST
41. Public
Pakhandi Khainol Your Deputy and FM is street smart in hiding collection,You have herd about him , be carefully you don,t get any share there in and Your Employer who is born for money by any meance, even by levy the salary of PlA; will not tolerate You? This will be chief resason for failure, hence Keep one agenda in Your Proposal What ever collected befor divided fifty fifty honestly !
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 1:40 PM NST
42. chandraGurung
I dislike foreigners like Simon Robins. I really do. They should really stick to hiking and trekking. How would you argue with a dullard who writes,
"the '6% growth' of the mid-1990s was invisible to many Nepalis, including those who supported the People's War and who voted for the CPN-M. Such blindness in Kathmandu was exactly what caused the conflict."
So, basically this jerk knows "exactly what caused the conflict". My suggestion to Simon is to (i) go to Africa and loot their natural resources and (ii) go to Nepali village, find some tribals and preach them the virtue of Sunday church and get some conversion. Okey, this is a joke, but that's what most of the Europeans do anyway.
Kanak, as always, it is always a pleasure to read your stuff.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 2:01 PM NST
43. who cares
33. Slarti,
first of all to harm or sabotage, gyan bahadur has to be in that position.....
did not they meant to harm when they were in power by blocking then royal army from cracking down on maoist.
tell me somethin, how is gyan bahadur planning to return? is not it the same way, bring in some lakh public on the road and coup using army? have not he been visiting delhi to get blessing?
by the way, does anybody know, how many generals, colonels we have got in the army who support public?
did not shahs use the body guards suppose to protect elected pm to arrest the pm when shahs were in power? (bp koirala)
was not looting wealth/donation money a way to block development, destroy nation?
"80% nepalese believe...... " ............ its like dead prince never had illegal gun with him in chitwon, so firing the gun was out of the question.
everything bad that happened during 250 yr hsitory were all rumours, right!
the only truths were- shahs were incarnation of lord bishnu, tribhuvan bahadur was the father of the nation (he never betrayed nepalese by penetrating into then national army) ...... etc etc.
shahs are the greatest cause they are shahs, cause that was what was written in our school text books and politicians believing in democracy, republic are all criminals, crooks, anti nation cause that was/is what shahs, maoist been saying.
"i am a royalist. i do not have to hide........... " ............... why do you need to hide? hum, since we have freedom. its was us who had to hide our believes during the time of shahs, even during so called constitutional monarchy era. ... may be you remember when neo-mandalas attacked those opposing shahs during democracy.
you have seen anyone, with dignity, who considers puspa or bhatterai as heros? you should not make things up.
"finally most..... " .......have not you been trying to say that democracy, freedom are sins and shahs are the only greatest........... all along.
i can go on and on, but its the past so why bother.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 2:02 PM NST
44. JAGNATH
Khana and associates lai bhaneko thiyne kalo topi lagayera nayanu hola , sabai BHAISI dil choree bhage , kaha kaha khoju jamai bharat Pasiya hola; jha jilai patiyayokai chaina, uta maobadi ko uhihal chha , kale khojera laidela hamra bhaisi hau, kalotopi niseddh andolan Garnu parne bhayo, pnchako mandale ra ahile ko rastrabadi comrade ma pharkai chhain. rastrapati bhanchan Dhoti laguneko pani yo desh , bhaisi dhapune haru lai karbahi hos.
Posted
on:
13 FEB 2011 | 3:27 PM NST
45. CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERT
Mr. Khainol achieve a lot within last 10 days one deputy and two pendulum minister to address the nations day to day crisis of security and services.Perhaps he should be professor of Public services Management. Ciaa should check his credential , which University has awarded his degrree, assurance of colleagues only take him out from problem.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 5:49 PM NST
46. Prakash Bhattarai I love this regarding East and West from "The Treasured Writings Of Kahlil Gibran".....The West is not higher than the East, nor is the West lower tha the East, and the difference that stands between the two is not greater than the difference between the tiger and the lion. There is a just and perfect law that I have found behind the exterior of society, which equalizes misery, prosperity, and grievance, it does not prefer one nation to another, nor does it oppress one tribe in order to enrich another.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 7:56 PM NST
47. rick flair
why does everyone keep going on about the maoists being the largest political party? anyone who says the CA election took place in a free and fair manner and without serious voter intimidation is a naive fool.
what's the big deal that they supposedly handed over control of the PLA? the camps are full of people who flocked in at the last minute to pick up a monthly govt paycheck. If the maoists want to cause grief and murder they still have their youth goon squad.
the CA was just a sham to get rid of the monarchy.
Posted
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13 FEB 2011 | 8:47 PM NST
48. Vija Srestha
1. The two parties vow to strengthen inclusive democracy and establish political and social system geared towards socialism while adhering to the pillars of national independence, indivisibility and sovereignty to create an independent economy through socio-economic transformation.
Independent Economy,are you from the Moon Mr Khanal and Dahal?What economy are you talking about when Nepal doesn't have anything in under ground caves ? You would be smart enough if you would make the best of the situation we are in and take the advantages of our water resources,if you would focus on education,health and human rights issues and social security system for a very simple reason that no Nepali would like to leave the country ,so that people can find everything they need and they want to share with its own people.You are talking about spheres of influence,use it and focus on what counts.
So this time in 7point agreement the word communism is substituted by the word Socialism.Why?Most probably to keep and not to scare people who do not understand as you naturally know that one day there will be elections and you understand very well,that nothing in life comes free,so you are gently stepping back from your empty promises you had given in your previous speeches.Wow!!!!!!!!Paper can hold anything!
It means Mr.Khanal and Dahal till now are not clear what Democracy means as in their 7 point agreement word inclusive is brought as something new.
So we achieve Democracy these days by the rule of majority,simply by signing deal among two parties on the day of voting,very smart indeed,as you knew you would not come to PM as no one would choose you Mr.Dahal or Mr.Khanal.
So based on two groups of politicians ,who without asking millions of Nepalese just decide to put tick marks to get voices of people like it was done in previous communist countries .This 7 point deal is the direct prove of their way of undemocratic elections of the PM.How long can we accept it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Agree to write a new constitution to institutionalise republic federalism uprooting all forms of feudalism, thus strengthening inclusive democracy and national independence.
All forms of Feudalism.
Mr Khanal and Dahal ,we do not need to go back 2 centuries and start it all over again in Nepal while you plan to uproot all forms of Feudalism , by the way, do you mind telling how many there are and when will the maze end? Why don't you make simple adjustments and go out to people and let them decide what they like to have .You are talking about National independence when you are directly taking away from us a choice of voice !!!!!!.
Well,your excuse would be, it is hard to go out to everyone,however you need to prove to people that they have the right to do that,without your PLA and the guns behind the people to get you voice.Since when have you become legal force with PLA,you are the straightforward criminal,who got guns for the PLA with illegal means and now you become legal.
Pledge to take the peace process to a logical end by executing all tasks related to integration, rehabilitation and voluntary retirement of Maoist combatants.
You are keeping all these young people for your own security,you did not care about their education,their families,about their future when you forced them and recruited them
We also agree to form a separate force for Maoist combatants or an alternative force combining the PLA and other security forces.
Looks like Dahal and Khanal have read a lot from Russian history on how the military forces were integrated in New Revolutionary Army.So your main Army will be your PLA and those who willingly like to work and lead PLA are most welcome ,but those who doesn't,can voluntarily resign.What a clever way to get rid of those who don't agree ,we can just assume,they have resigned. Why suddenly PLA is brought forward as the Army for Nepal.Do you also plan to have an obligatory recruitment in army of young people when they reach 18? 4. Agree to constitute a joint government. A high-level mechanism will be formed to assist in the governance. The mechanism will be led by the chiefs of the signatory parties on a rotational basis.
Rotational basis,this is how you got the agreement signed by saying,one time Khanal then other time Dahal.
A new government will be formed by including as many parties as possible. The sharing of important ministries, including home and defence, will be done in an appropriate and respectable manner.
What can be more disgustig way than to read direct arrogance in the faces of people who millions of innocent Nepalese have put hope in,believing they will do it for them,they will put nations interests first,but what they are only concern is deviding Ministries and sharing the contains among themselves.Therefore Ministry of Finance was dealt with first?
Maybe it would be wise to bring into Ministries people who are professionals and practitionars with experience and succesful results in practice of the respective fields;education,health,water,agriculture health,lawyers etc ,not politicians who have received degrees through Thribhuvan University half a century ago.
Top leaders of the two parties will take the responsibility for the same. So you have secured the jobs for all of your handy man,very simillar scenario
5. Minimum Common Programme of the new government and code of conduct will be formulated and enforced.
So the 5th Point is made and the signatures are there,but the programme is not even formulated.!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is how any legal paper is made? 6. The two parties will lead the future governments on a rotational basis based on mutual understanding and long term cooperation.
7. It is hereby agreed that the UCPN (Maoist) will vote for the UML candidate in the prime ministerial election.
So Mr.Dahal has a Plan B in case it doesn't work.
How can you ever imagine society to work ,by sitting in the chair and pressing the buttons.Master of all the threads and master of none.
Mr.Khanal and Mr.Dahal,as normal human being,what are your hobies and what are you good at.Use your talents in that field,would be of help to many Nepalese or invite people professionals who can do the job.
Posted
on:
13 FEB 2011 | 10:33 PM NST
49. jange
Having decided that the Maoists cannot abide by the 12 point agreement they have now decided to have a 7 point agreement!!
At least the Maoists have a sense of humour. Part two of the agreement reads:
2. Agree to write a new constitution to institutionalise republic federalism uprooting all forms of feudalism, thus strengthening inclusive democracy and national independence.
And of course in order to come to an agreement between the two political parties the leaders meet in secret and sign a secret agreement- in the best tradition of feudals.
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 6:25 AM NST
50. romi
Start reading Indian Newspapers to understand where the wind is blowing. You all are wasting your time beating up on poor Kanak. The real game is in Delhi NOT in Himal, NT or MyRepublica. Poor Nepali journalists will just follow what the Delhi media signals. It is not just him. That's the way our leaders are too. Why do you think they all go to Delhi conferences?
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 9:17 AM NST
51. Krishna
Hi Vija You are wasting your Energy , Just You should ask these super Political scientists Khainol (61) and phenol (56) : what will happen if both escape from the world. all Nepali will Go to Heaven with them ? Why these two don't dare to speak in front of Indian that their forefathers were belonged to the land.There were no Nepal like today even 150 years back, let,us have fresh dialogue for modern boundary.The fooling Game is continue......
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 10:03 AM NST
52. Mahamurkha
Dear Kaino and Phainol, Even you confirm your constitution with illicit desire of Naulojanbad or prachand path to fool the common people and PLA about 35 % of Nepali mass understand your magician tactics to enjoy public properties without delivering any services to nation. your Public Revolt may kill few but all will die like street Dogs.Even nuclear bomb charges and country get better and better within 60 year. would You start praying for peace..... or threaten it depends on your wisdom. There is no threat to Nation by Neighbors: You are phobic get admired in Patan Psychich Hospital far better for public.. The whole word is deaf to you ? strange ? Evaluate Yourself.
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 12:21 PM NST
53. Nirmal
Seems that Kanak Dixit has been hammered badly by both the Maoists and anti-maoists(mostly rightists). This is what you are condemned to face when you try to do politics a la lollypop.Although, Kanak Mani Dixit was not able to catch the train(definately) of modernity that I was suggesting lately, still he has time to make his friends aware of it and avoid the pain. I hope he does it just for the sake of maintaing a useful relation with his mentor parties in return. Kanak sir atleast, atleast live a relation to its expectation and defend your friends rightly, to the contrary, the Maoists will eat them like a leopard does with its prey, playing and caressing. Tell your friends that still they have time to go to people and establish a system that the people want and not the one that a gang of four envisaged(fruit of politics a la lollypop) by working their so called butts off. This way, you and your friend will salvage not only their own political life but will do a favor of billion dollars to fellow nepalis.
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 6:14 PM NST
54. Bibhu
Pathetic piece of journalism from Mr. Dixit. Not even in my wildest dream i thought he would analyse the current geo-political scenario of Nepal in such derogative manner. He along with the people around 55 plus should stop thinking what is better for Nepal and plan for retirement. A generation wipe out is needed in Nepal for anything productive to come. No party is doing righteously in Nepal but to blatant blame Maoist for every fuzz seems sheer stupidity. I am utterly disappointed Mr. Dixt, i suggest you change your profession or be more professional.
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 10:27 PM NST
55. hange
Arthur, while I disagree with you on the reason for the "hysteria", I understand your point of view and respect that you take the high road in only addressing the argument. We can only hope that you're right with regards to your Maoists- but, while I am an optimist, I consider myself a pragmatist and my gut tells me that we can trust Prachanda no further than we can throw him.
Posted
on:
14 FEB 2011 | 2:07 AM NST
56. who cares
regarding NT's support to maoist in the past:
let's see it this way, before maoist join open politics, many poor had faith in maoist and NT too believed in maoist- that maoist really want to change the life of poor.....
after their entry into open ground, maoist have been expose so their real supporter (poor) and as well as NT no longer believed in them.
but after joining open politics- criminals, smugglers, looters, rich, business community, gangsters, many so called civil society members all joined maoist.
what does this mean?
it means NT supported maoist in the early days cause they believed in maosit, not for personal benefit like those who joined later. and NT as well as poor dumped maoist cause maoist had been lying to them.
dont you people think that this is suppose to be the time for NT to cash in for their past loyalty to maoist just like many others are doing. but they are not cause they are genuine patriot nepalese and only difference from person like I is like most of the humans they made a big mistake.
so, now NT should be respected for not being opportunist. and dont forget that they took really big risk (even attacked) by supporting maosit during shah's rule and now they are being attacked by maosit for going against them.
I say, cause of this past, criticism from likes of NT should be valued more cause NT are not criticizing maosit for their political or personal profit like those who have been criticizing maoist cause of their political or personal reason.
my suggestion to NT is, while/before/during criticizing maosit, it would be really good for NT as well as for nepalese if NT keep on saying "once we (NT) believed in maoist".
moral of the story: NT made a human error, and they are honest, pro nepal.
MAOIST IS SO DUMB THAT THEY NEVER CARED GENUINE SUPPORT WHILE GIVE MORE IMPORTANCE TO OPPORTUNISTS, AND NOT TO FORGET THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ATTACKING THEIR FORMER SUPPORTERS PHYSICALLY, INSULTING- INDIA, GIRIJA, SHAH, SITULA, NT ETC.
I WONDER HOW WILL THEY BE SURVIVING!
Posted
on:
15 FEB 2011 | 10:03 AM NST
57. Public(Socialist)
Hi Mr. Dixit, Very soon Khainol and Phainol come to review their mistake in seven point deal but how they get rid of these in general public have feelings about communist as under.Yet applicable to mass with exception only C= Corrupt O=Odd M= Moody M= Manipulator I= Irritating N= Naxilite( Killer of Innocent) S= Stupid T= Trojan ( Your Discovery) Are you hopeful they can do anything good for Nation and sufferer community. We don't believe. We should not trust them at all .
Posted
on:
15 FEB 2011 | 10:51 AM NST
58. yanpras
What a deceving article Mr kanak. What can we expect from one who advocate Mr Oli fraction who is one of the wrost villen in curent politics. how easily you forget that CA election where Maoist garner the most number of seats, even more then UML and NC combine. On what basis Maoist should not get home ministry? I believe they are entitle to get to run this government by themselves not only home minister. what kind of democracy you find majority get the least and minority get the most? I lost my respect on you. Pls clarify more about it if you can.
Posted
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15 FEB 2011 | 5:22 PM NST
59. sagar
As if Mr. Dixit knows everything, and all Nepalis are fool...the biggest joke!
Posted
on:
15 FEB 2011 | 6:08 PM NST
60. kanak
Response from Kanak Mani Dixit
Thanking those who have responded under their own names, I would first challenge those who have hidden their identities - writing vehement notes under camouflage robs your views of weight. On the whole, I see no need for fatalism, we Nepalis can turn our own future. We are not guided by an outside force. The anti-Indianism in the discourse today is merely a tool of Pushpa Kamal Dahal to befuddle his own cadre. It is he who openly consorts with spooks from the South. It is good that the 'people's war' was ended with some concessions to the Maoists. They did cheat under the watch of the other political parties, but we should still challenge them to democratize and become a peaceful party. Why be shy of demanding that they publicly renounce violence as a tool of politics, and apologise for the 'people's war'. The people of Nepal deserve this.
Most of the letters question my motives in writing the article. Fair enough, but I would ask the critics to respond to the substance of the article:
a)The Maoists want Home Affairs in order to withdraw cases against their own cadre, and to be in command of the state administration during the next elections.
b)Withdrawal of cases against the Maoists accused will mean that cases against the accused in the army and police will also be withdrawn.
c)Constitution-writing requires a successful conclusion of the peace process as agreed in the CPA. No peace process conclusion, no democratic constitution.
d)The secret seven-point Dahal-Khanal deal betrayed the peace process in toto.
e)The seven-point deal is dangerous for the UML as a party.
f)Nepal is not about to be invaded, so there was no need for the ultra-nationalist verbiage in the seven-points.
g)The reference to 'people's democracy' in the seven-points is a sell out on the part of Khanal.
h)The chain of command of cantonments has yet to be handed over to the Special Committee.
i)There is no hope that an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be set up under the Maoists, who will pad it to make it ineffective.
j)The imperial progressives in New Delhi and in the West, who do not have to suffer the consequences of what they propose for Nepal, should be asked to develop the quality of empathy.
k)Nepal is not an experimental station for the imperial progressives.
l)The Maoists have to be held to account for the impoverishment that comes from 15 years of economic destruction. A party which professes to speak for the poor would do everything to make the citizens poorer. They have no plans for economic growth that will touch all people.
Astu...
Posted
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15 FEB 2011 | 9:35 PM NST
61. Bhaicha
How not to get contaminated by the advice ,support or fundings in the name of helping Nepalese by the Khuires is the need of the hour,. Nepal must be declatred out of f bounds for the khuires for some time as we are going to write a new constitution befitting 21st century and its challenges. We are not their gunea pigs. We were great nation when our slogan was ,- Kuire ko taukoma twak.
Posted
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16 FEB 2011 | 5:02 AM NST
62. Bhaskar Koirala
Give Mr. Dixit some credit, he has an analytical mind, a sharp mind, and one cannot say that he knows little about Nepali politics and society. His intentions cannot be doubted. Whatever position he has taken, he has taken it forcibly and with conviction. A well written article.
Posted
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16 FEB 2011 | 5:25 AM NST
63. bikas bahutule
Dear Mr Dixit, Greetings. Thanks for coming back with grit. You have presented 12 arguments in support of your logic that the Maoists are not yet a civilian party and that their nationalism is jingoistic. I have no duty to defend them, but a democrat, I prefer to keep people's verdict above the excerpts of prejudiced analysts whose one point agenda, as evident in your write ups and acts, is to manipulate the situation in favor of the discarded or to float own ideas whatsoever. As the largest representative block of the people of Nepal, as expressed through the Constituent Assembly elections, they deserve any ministry including the prime minister. It 's the Special Committee which has to begin recamping the Maoist ex-combatants after the handover. But is is in slumber. Now, it is hypothetical to impose anything now so as as to Maoist intentions with the Home Ministry. If they are fear-mongering thorugh 'nationalism' yout are doing the same with Home Ministry. The foreign aid in Nepal is not for a particular political aprty or agenda. It is for the people of Nepal and the plenipotentiaries are doing the right thing by not taking sides. The Dare not.
Thanks. Bikas
Posted
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16 FEB 2011 | 11:18 AM NST
64. jange
60. kanak
Response from Kanak Mani Dixit
Thanking those who have responded under their own names, I would first challenge those who have hidden their identities - writing vehement notes under camouflage robs your views of weight.
Just an indicator that people are still frightened of reprisals from Maoists.
Posted
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16 FEB 2011 | 11:58 AM NST
65. Sargam
Nepal has become a country of dead soul because of those people who prefer making the mockery of those who try to advance at all costs and despite being confronted with the snide mixture of disbelief and distrust.
Everybody knows it for sure that Nepalese are addicted to the snake bites of those failed and tainted lot of politicos and active miscreants and goons who still ain't aware of their past misdeeds which brought Nepal on the brink of abyss.
For that very reason those citizens who believe in still some concrete democratic solutions mustn't let the future of their offspring go fleeting.
Unless we overcome all these entrenched belief and viewpoint by taking them with a pinch of salt we will never get off scot-free of this self-imposed gridlock.
It reminds me in a way of the Human Rights activist Jessie Jackson who once wrote regarding 'A school of dead soul!' He coined for the students of a school three questions: 1) How many of you bring drugs and guns in school? No one raised hand. 2) How many of you know someone brings drugs and guns in school? Everyone raised hand. And he further reiterated, 3) How many of you tried to notify the school authority about this? No one raised hand.
Nepal's present situation is the rerun of the above mentioned where a longtime alleged to be criminal is ruling the roost applying all tricks that he already premeditated along with the vultures ready to devour Nepal when she will be shattered into pieces.
It is useless to write the constitution of Nepal to fit the agenda of Maoists of one party rule where the UML has served as the goat of sacrifice at the altar of Jhala Nath's delusions of grandeur to the detriment of Nepal's everlasting prestige of the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and the dwelling place of the brave and undaunted Gurkhas, now seemingly obliged to purge in the purgatory for at least 30 years in a suspended animation under the yoke of Maoism to please the only and unique big shot of human stupidity of the Indian Subcontinent, namely, Prachanda, the awesome.
For sure, Nepalese are liable to revisit the 20th century.
I am not very keen to figure out as to what our future has in store for us.
Unless there is the major shift of power-sharing with other castes there is no hope of survival for this country, as of now, the most downtrodden Dalits have found out Maoism as their rescue stick before drowning, as such, they will do their utmost to obtain the maximum of concession by wreaking havoc applying every possible way of threat and intimidation as the authentic disciples of the Maoists' teachings.
Where is common sense, political acumen and a moral compass?
All Nepalese seem to have lost their edge through complacency and continually conceding victory to the blatant stupidity of some of those under the threats of violence.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 12:56 PM NST
66. uday sunder shrestha
Well written no doubt, in spite of the skeletons in NT's cupboard as noted by commentator #5
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 2:18 PM NST
67. Lesson Master KANAK:
"I would first challenge those who have hidden their identities - writing vehement notes under camouflage robs your views of weight."
LESSON MASTER:
Really? Says who?Depends on what the context is.
Anonymous bloggers and Net-based activists in Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Libya, Yemen and Iran would respectfully disagree with your view. On the whole, online commentators have matured to the stage where they ignore fake names and look at the quality of comments. Anonymous online comments may not be to everyone's liking, but they spice up the interactions.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 3:23 PM NST
68. Gopesornath
Hi jangle In addition to your note only Maoist other potential have butchers did you forget comment by a Noble winner Politician remark during CA election pole.And content is more important, why Mr . Dexit think some on rob the view.At least a section of people get aware , one who want to improve may improve, he should make challenge to accept by concerned.Why any one take this risk ? hence still Nepal lacking freedom for Expression of View.No protection who has no Gang.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 6:01 PM NST
69. Arthur Kanak #60,
a)The Maoists want Home Affairs in order to withdraw cases against their own cadre, and to be in command of the state administration during the next elections.
Despite being the largest party the Maoists have accepted a leader of a much smaller party heading the government. It would be absurd for them to also accept not having the next most important ministry.
Instead of being grateful that they have agreed to this major compromise, Kanak is hysterically demanding that they should humiliate themselves. Did he really expect or even hope for that? No, as blurted out he is just upset that it will now be more difficult for the Home Ministry to rig elections or launch provocative "cases" in violation of the peace agreement.
b)Withdrawal of cases against the Maoists accused will mean that cases against the accused in the army and police will also be withdrawn.
What "cases"? Failure to establish civilian supremacy over the army has meant that the army refuses to submit to the courts even when its officers are charged with torture and murder of 16 year old girls.
c)Constitution-writing requires a successful conclusion of the peace process as agreed in the CPA. No peace process conclusion, no democratic constitution.
Each requires the other. By refusing to carry out the democratization of the NA and integration of the PLA the old order in Nepal hopes to keep postponing the elections that they know they will lose. This is becoming more difficult so Kanak is becoming more hysterical.
d)The secret seven-point Dahal-Khanal deal betrayed the peace process in toto.
It represents what may be the last attempt to carry out the peace process. If the old order continues to refuse to complete the peace process and adopt a Constitution then eventually there must either be people's revolt or military rule (which won't last as long as Mubarek in Egypt). If only Congress and the likes of MKN, Oli and Kanak Mani Dixit insist on not holding elections then of course others may eventually proceed without them.
e)The seven-point deal is dangerous for the UML as a party.
Perhaps! Anything that could result in free elections is dangerous to all the parties that have completely discredited themselves. But the UMLs will do even worse if they fall under military dictatorship or go to elections trailing behind the Congress as they have been with MKN and Oli. Accepting the reality that they are a minor party now is less dangerous for them than ignoring reality.
f)Nepal is not about to be invaded, so there was no need for the ultra-nationalist verbiage in the seven-points.
The verbiage about "imperial progressives" reflect Kanak's disappointment that Western countries have not rallied behind Nepal's upper crust in the manner he hopes and expects. Only India has done so and that was all that maintained the paralysis that may now be ending.
g)The reference to 'people's democracy' in the seven-points is a sell out on the part of Khanal.
Don't worry, the "Unified Marxists Leninists" are still not unified, marxist or leninist.Surely even Kanak does not imagine that the UML is a "Communist Party" just because it uses some phrases?
h)The chain of command of cantonments has yet to be handed over to the Special Committee.
This can only become more than ceremonial when there is actual democratization of the NA and integration of the two armies.
i)There is no hope that an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be set up under the Maoists, who will pad it to make it ineffective.
There has been paralysis on this since GPK. The problem has been that "Truth" about the crimes committed by the NA makes it more difficult for them to accept civilian supremacy so it has been postponed until civilian supremacy is achieved.
j)The imperial progressives in New Delhi and in the West, who do not have to suffer the consequences of what they propose for Nepal, should be asked to develop the quality of empathy.
Their natural instincts are to side with the educated, english speaking smooth upper crust mouthing phrases about "democracy" rather thanwith Maoist rebels. It must be difficult for Kanak to understand just how vile and disgusting Nepal's "upper crust" must appear to outsiders that makes them so lacking in empathy for it. Even if you cannot grasp the concept of not feeling empathy for the publishers of Nepal Times and Himal magazine can you at least understand why people from a more modern society might be unable to empathize with MKN and Oli, let alone Koirala and Deuba?
k)Nepal is not an experimental station for the imperial progressives.
True. But their funds are the only thing propping up your completely parasitic NGOs and government. Could it go on forever without them ever noticing how completely useless they are? Have you noticed how the Mubarek's of the Arab world are complaining about "imperial progressives". Did it save them?
l)The Maoists have to be held to account for the impoverishment that comes from 15 years of economic destruction. A party which professes to speak for the poor would do everything to make the citizens poorer. They have no plans for economic growth that will touch all people.
Your problem is that they do have such plans. Nepal's upper crust is afraid that ending impoverishment of the large majority living on less than $2 per day would leave less room for the upper crust. Actually Nepal will still need capitalists. Why not try to fit in with the future instead of working yourself up into such a hysterical frenzy that you would have to end up becoming an emigre?
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 6:15 PM NST
70. Gorkhe
Can this man see any positive things in this joint government of Maoist and UML? I am not a pro left, but we have no alternative we have seen NC lead government for a more than a decade.
Mr. Dixit- You need some break, I guess you are just tired of Maoists' success of their game plans.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 7:04 PM NST
71. Surprised
I am surprised at the comeback offered by Kanak, he appears angry and offended by mere comments in opposition to his assertions.
Perhaps the best response is this in today Kantipur:
"What can one make of all this? Is it politics that does it? Or, is there something in the Bahun-Chhetri character nurtured by the conspiracies and ill-will found in the Ramayana and Mahabharata tales or Nepal�s history of feudalism and courtier culture in which the whole structure sustained itself on never-ending envy, jealousy, ill-will and spying on one another to advance one�s immediate interests in the name of larger goals? Is it the sense of impunity of these leaders, given the patron-client relationship, that have precipitated this endless bickering for instant gratification of power?"
Maybe the best comment came from someone who said that Kanak seems to feel offended by the fact that "his team lost the game"
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 7:09 PM NST
72. slarti
#43
the pm when shahs were in power? (bp koirala)
And did you care to look at the reason for that? Shahs were not in power, HM King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was the reigning Monarch. He made the decision and it proved to be wrong, its consequences remain with us.
Now, did not GP Koirala use his cadre to murder with abandon to destroy the very foundation of this country. What impact did his citizenship bill have on the country? How and why did he destroy the NAC, NEA and all other institutions with the deliberate intent to weaken this nation internally? Why was it that the Maoists emerged during his rule and managed to expand their operations during his rule? Why was it that he was the first one to jump on the opportunity to reach an alliance with them?
Here, I could go on and on and on�.but all that is past so why bother.
I by the way, does anybody know, how many generals, colonels we have got in the army who support public?
Why don�t you make an estimate? Did they all die because they were frustrated with their lives and paid the Maoists to assassinate them? If they do not support the people then who does? You? Jhalanath Khanal? Or is it the Maoists? Maybe it was Madhav Nepal? But, tell me boy, why do you hate all these people? Is it for the same reason that you appeared to hate women quite a while ago? Or, was it to protect the constitution that they were asked to fight, and die? The same constitution that the politicians killed for, merely 10 years before they stepped in to protect it?
J tell me somethin, how is gyan bahadur planning to return? is not it the same way, bring in some lakh public on the road and coup using army? have not he been visiting delhi to get blessing?
I don�t know. I don�t think he is planning a comeback. I don�t see how he could get his blessings from Delhi, their hand seems to be perpetually on the heads of Maoists, UML, NC periodically; depending on who is licking their boots.
K did not they meant to harm when they were in power by blocking then royal army from cracking down on maoist.
No. You go figure why.
L first of all to harm or sabotage, gyan bahadur has to be in that position.....
No. First of all to harm or sabotage he has to have that intention. Second of all, to harm or sabotage you have to think it is worth it. Third of all, to harm or to sabotage you have to be foolish enough to think that the current breed of politicians is capable of delivering anything. Fourth of all, to harm or to sabotage you have to be a traitor to the nation like all the top-echelons of political parties appear to be. Fifth of all, to harm or to sabotage you have to drop your civility like the political leadership did. There are many other reasons to not harm or sabotage, the one outlined by you is not it.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 8:15 PM NST
73. Robin
We have not forgotten how the Maoists attacked the free press- targeting Nepali Times, The Himalayan Times and eventually Kantipur- ironically the newspaper crying out loud about foreign interference in journalism in Nepal- because they were willing to publish something that the Maoists did not like. Once they have the Home Ministry, I doubt that they will pursue a single case of attacks against free press by their cadres. So the press will be in de facto censorship- not willing to criticize anything the Maoists do. They can get away with anything - like murder- like in the case of Ram Hari Shrestha- but this time nobody in the media will be willing to question them. Yes, they killed Ram Hari, their supporter, in cold blood, but at least we came to know about that from the press.
They will also let countless murderers go, they will fill up the police with their cadres, and they will make sure that they will win the next election. I met a lot Maoist sympathizers in America- many of them are Maoists who have obtained asylum because of "Maoists atrocities" against them and their families. I am sure that the situation is same in Europe. The Maoists are not known for decency. Will these Maoists go back if Nepal becomes a totalitarian communist country?
Remember Dahal's speech in which he boasted that he greatly exaggerated the "People's army" strength. Remember the time when Mahara's telephone conversation came out in which he was talking about buying CA members. Remember all the promises the Maoists made. Remember the scare tactics, voter intimidation and fraud carried out by the Maoists in the last election.
Democracy is not perfect. Yes, there are really corrupt people in Nepali Congress who should be hanged for looting the country. But, between a totalitarian communist dictatorship and a free democracy, I will always choose democracy.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 8:40 PM NST
74. S. Onta
As long as the Maoists believe that they can force the rest of the country in dancing to their tune, Nepali politics will be in turmoil. If only the citizens can change their mind/ideology, and make them believe that we should all live together while respecting our differences, will Nepal see a stable political situation. Let there be polarization, left and democratic, and let them fight out in election. But as long as Maoist believe in totalitarian and don't give space for the rest, Nepal will suffer for many more years.
Posted
on:
16 FEB 2011 | 10:55 PM NST
75. Battisputali
Dignity is the greatest casualty of war and hatred its greatest survivor.
The absence of justice (through a TRC or other mechanisms), the mockery of constitutional bodies, the presence of both explicit violence and implicit structural violence, the 'hysteria' and confusion in our public discourse intensify the loss of dignity of the Nepalese individual.
Dignity and hatred may be inversely related. As dignity decreases hatred increases. In such a scenario, those with the will to power will seek to easily influence this malleable environment with ultra-nationalism, theatrical displays of rhetoric, the subversion of truth, and the invention of bogeymen : "imperial progressives", "intelligentsia", "foreigners", "parties", and so on. All strategies of course harness hatred.
The idealist in me wants to see this period as a juspost bellum- when war is terminated fairly through the use of rules, but the realist in me sees it as inter bellum (between war). We may not be heading towards Maoist totalitarianism. We may be heading towards more internal war.
Along with the ethical hollowness, there is material hollowness within our polity. The state is weak. It will take time and effort to control it and increase its strength . Precedents tell us that this effort will not be non-violent. Precedent also tells us that violence begets more violence. What do individuals and groups that have already suffered greatly under one generation of direct violence and more of structural violence do when faced with more dangers? Some may suffer some more, some may try to escape, others will seek self-help.
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 5:43 AM NST
76. Kale Rai
Al those support one party rule or dictatorship or any authoritarians or eegimes in civil society in this age, in 21st century covertly or overtly are wolf in the sheep,s clothing and intellectual lepers.( Apology to Michael Foot in British Parliament).We have in plenty in disguise; in consultancy or ingos getting financial benifit from western donars, or in support of their agenda or with evangelic chiristians ,proselyting missionaries,etc etc Beware of such viruses in our body politics .
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 6:12 AM NST
77. Gole
What isAggragrahan. Can it be possible to realize it in an one party dictatorship, the ultimate aim of the Maoists ? This is the main question before the nation to day Can it be realized by going against yhe core components of modern days democratic values? Is North Korean, Cuban system our aspiration or of the people for which they fought against the autocratic rule of Gyanendra? Remember the core concepts of a Global Democracy of the 21st century once again.:
1.Republicanism.-Representive Democracy. -consent of the governed, genuine representation ,accountability, of by for the people. fear free election , rule for common good. 2.Rule of Law(.in all aspects of life,)equality , justice,liberty, -separation of power, respecting human rights, limited government, -An independent judiciary. 3.Human Rights.-Liberalism. Natural rights, Political rights, Personal and private rights, Economic ,social,cultural, environmental rights. 4. Citizenship (civism) Resposibilit roleof citizens, civic identity, .Civil Society- Communitarism. Voluntary, Freedom of association, PLURALISM,multiple overlapping membership and identities. rule of law, traditions,morals, paticipation in civic interests. for common good. free and open social system. 6.Economt. Fredom of exchange, and economic choice through the market. Protection of Private Property Rights. Freedom to own and ,use property for personal gain and the public good. Economic regulation for the common good- rulr of law, traditions, morals. Free and open economic system . Respect for contracts.
ies,
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 6:12 AM NST
78. nirpan
The idea that some GDP growth is supposed to mean the country as a whole is progressing should have shattered after seeing Egypt which had a very good growth rate. The simple matter of fact was the growth was just enriching the rich.
And this hypocrisy shown by Mr Dixit is all too familiar in the world stage. Democracy only when done in what they see as their terms and their values. Isn't it the same thing Mr Dixit is accusing JN and PKD of doing? They might have their vested agendas and interest. After all they are politicians and south Asians at that. But by making conjectures on very hypocritical ground just about a week after the new government, all this article does is again remind us, hypocrisy is embedded in our thinking especially of kathmandu intelligentsia.
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 7:34 AM NST
79. jange
This article has generated a lot of response. Just shows that the fundamental issues regarding the Maoists are still being disputed.�
1. Is it acceptable for a political party to use violence to achieve its political objectives?
2. Were the Maoists justified in using violence to achieve their political objectives?
3. If the Maoists are justified in using violence to achieve their political objectives are other parties also justified in using violence for the same purposes?
3. Is it necessary for the Maoists to abandon violence as a political tool before they can be accepted as participants in the democratic political process?
4. Have the Maoists abandoned violence as a political tool?
5. If the Maoists haven't abandoned violence as a political tool how was it possible to have free and fair elections for the CA?
6. If the Maoist violence was not legitimate can the political changes brought about by the violence be considered legitimate?
7. If the Maoist violence was legitimate then why can the Maoists not continue to use violence to achieve their political goals?
Answer these questions logically and consistently and you might see the basis for the current confusion.
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 9:29 AM NST
80. Lakshya
#69
Despite being the largest party the Maoists have accepted a leader of a much smaller party heading the government. It would be absurd for them to also accept not having the next most important ministry.
How many times have we heard this malarkey? The truth is that the Maoists left the government because they couldn�t govern, which they regret now, so they are trying to re-enter through the back door by hook or crook: a policy they have used since the so-called people�s war.They realize that it�s much easier to loot when you�re in power and they want to go back to having the best of both worlds: their cadres are collecting tolls from businesses and private citizens as we speak and they want to add to the coffers by being back in government.
Instead of being grateful that they have agreed to this major compromise, Kanak is hysterically demanding that they should humiliate themselves. Did he really expect or even hope for that? No, as blurted out he is just upset that it will now be more difficult for the Home Ministry to rig elections or launch provocative "cases" in violation of the peace agreement
Anyone who disagrees with the Maoists is shrill, hysterical or in your words, shouting!Using your own logic, the Maoists clearly want the Home Ministry precisely to rig the elections and the other parties are right to try to prevent them from so doing.
What "cases"? Failure to establish civilian supremacy over the army has meant that the army refuses to submit to the courts even when its officers are charged with torture and murder of 16 year old girls.
There was and is civilian supremacy over the army, but Pushpa Kamal and his lieutenant Ram Bahadur became too adventurist and tried to oust Katwal without any basis.They were unpleasantly surprised at the backlash and have yet to recover until now.The Nepal Army is more inclined to book the perpetrators than the Maoist guerillas.
Each requires the other. By refusing to carry out the democratization of the NA and integration of the PLA the old order in Nepal hopes to keep postponing the elections that they know they will lose. This is becoming more difficult so Kanak is becoming more hysterical.
The NA is democratic and has saved the fledgling democracy when the Maoists were hell-bent on hijacking the country.
It represents what may be the last attempt to carry out the peace process. If the old order continues to refuse to complete the peace process and adopt a Constitution then eventually there must either be people's revolt or military rule (which won't last as long as Mubarek in Egypt). If only Congress and the likes of MKN, Oli and Kanak Mani Dixit insist on not holding elections then of course others may eventually proceed without them.
There is no old or new order in this.It is just a power sharing agreement, plain and simple! It�s a ploy for the Maoists to creep back into state power.They would have made the deal with just about anyone.
Perhaps! Anything that could result in free elections is dangerous to all the parties that have completely discredited themselves. But the UMLs will do even worse if they fall under military dictatorship or go to elections trailing behind the Congress as they have been with MKN and Oli. Accepting the reality that they are a minor party now is less dangerous for them than ignoring reality.
To what extent were the last elections free and fair? That is exactly what the Maoists want.They want to dupe the international community and others once again and legitimize their violent means.How can one party carry on having their own military and others have to fight them in elections?
The verbiage about "imperial progressives" reflect Kanak's disappointment that Western countries have not rallied behind Nepal's upper crust in the manner he hopes and expects. Only India has done so and that was all that maintained the paralysis that may now be ending.
It won�t be the last time the Western countries would have erred.They have done so in a number of places and why should their judgment about Nepal be any different?
Don't worry, the "Unified Marxists Leninists" are still not unified, marxist or leninist.Surely even Kanak does not imagine that the UML is a "Communist Party" just because it uses some phrases?
Does the same apply to Maoists?They blurt out Communistic verbiage but are in reality just like the rest of the political parties: eager to join the political leaders and continue to loot and plunder?
This can only become more than ceremonial when there is actual democratization of the NA and integration of the two armies.
What democratization?The Maoists do not want integration�they are benefitting way too much from the monies they are getting from the exchequer for the card carrying members of their parties holidaying in the cantonments.
There has been paralysis on this since GPK. The problem has been that "Truth" about the crimes committed by the NA makes it more difficult for them to accept civilian supremacy so it has been postponed until civilian supremacy is achieved.
The NA is beholden to the Nepal government as it has demonstrated time and again.The truth is that the Maoists do not want such commission, and frankly, such a commission won�t work in Nepal given the compromised media and political leadership.
Their natural instincts are to side with the educated, english speaking smooth upper crust mouthing phrases about "democracy" rather thanwith Maoist rebels. It must be difficult for Kanak to understand just how vile and disgusting Nepal's "upper crust" must appear to outsiders that makes them so lacking in empathy for it. Even if you cannot grasp the concept of not feeling empathy for the publishers of Nepal Times and Himal magazine can you at least understand why people from a more modern society might be unable to empathize with MKN and Oli, let alone Koirala and Deuba?
The 12 point agreement and their various deals with the Maoists would not have been possible had the Western countries sided with the educated, English speaking smooth upper crust�The entire country had war-fatigue and everyone was willing to compromise to have peace at any cost---cost we are all paying now and there is more to come by the look of how things are shaping up.Nepali society has realized how much it has been duped by the Maoists masquerading as a democratic party! Furthermore, look at the before and after pictures of the Maoist leaders, and you will see how smooth upper crusty they look like now!They all ride in mostly stolen but sharp looking vehicles and go overseas for health check-ups.
True. But their funds are the only thing propping up your completely parasitic NGOs and government. Could it go on forever without them ever noticing how completely useless they are? Have you noticed how the Mubarek's of the Arab world are complaining about "imperial progressives". Did it save them?
These same NGOs played a crucial role to establish Maoists� as a democratic force.
Your problem is that they do have such plans. Nepal's upper crust is afraid that ending impoverishment of the large majority living on less than $2 per day would leave less room for the upper crust. Actually Nepal will still need capitalists. Why not try to fit in with the future instead of working yourself up into such a hysterical frenzy that you would have to end up becoming an emigre?
The Maoists do not have any such plans.The plans they supposedly have are not realistic and won�t take Nepal anywhere but backwards.And the Maoists are not really concerned about those living on less than $2 per day.There are many examples you find every day when the Maoists cadres broker land deals, import/export deals, school deals, small arms deals, and many other deals for commissions.The land and other deals have nothing to do with the poor.It�s a great charade.So don�t keep invoking the $2 per day argument to make the Maoists look like they care.They don�t!!
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 12:52 PM NST
81. jange
80. Lakshya
Amen!
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 3:52 PM NST
82. Arthur Lakshaya #69,
the essence of your comments is similar to the essence of the article. It can be summed up very simply that you hate the maoists and oppose any agreement with them.
Repeating this at every stage contributes nothing at all to political discussion.
The simple fact now is that the maoist party is the largest party in Nepal and is likely to have the support of the majority of Nepalese who live on less than $2 per day at any future election.
You can complain bitterly about this and argue eloquently against it. But it will not change that reality.
The reason there was a peace agreement was because your side was unable to defeat the Maoists in war, despite unleashing the NA which killed more than 10,000 people. It is completely pointless demanding that the Maoist surrender as though they had been defeated.
The Maoists have not become weaker and you have not become stronger. Nobody sane wants to go back to civil war. But there is no way the "upper crust" can continue to rule without first winning a civil war.
The only alternative to civil war is to accept the normal politics of governments being changed through elections. As many anti-Maoists keep reminding us, throughout the world this usually results in pro-capitalist governments and not to Maoist governments. So you should expect to defeat them one day. It just won't be this year.
The Maoist party has accepted that. Nepal's "upper crust" should accept it too. There is simply no viable alternative to choosing governments through free elections in the 21st century.
The whole point of the article and the whole point of your comments is that you are afraid of losing elections and want to preserve a government that can attempt to rule without elections.
Been there, done that, didn't work.
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 5:08 PM NST
83. Nirmal
The response from Kanak Mani Dixit has some valid points, I recognize this as well as i apreciate it. quite clear and objective. However, I say: it's much effective and less problematic when you start dealing issues from the basics than trying to find out a solution out of the mess, you need to be overly optimistic in order to manage a mess of such scale. Well, where in any free and open society a party who hasn't abjured violence is considered a political party? Where? So, better Kanak Dixit and his side start from the basics, it means that unless and until the Maoists denounce the violence officially, at no price they are entitled to form any type of alliance with those who denounce the use of violence in politics. Yes, they should be allowed(and we should)to participate in a peaceful negotiation of the conflict but as a rebel party, fullstop.
P.S. The logic that they should not hold ministries related to security has lost its relevance now. Are these non-maoists fool to legitimate an opponent who consider the violence as their most worthwhile tool to do free politics till now? No one facilitates such stupid concession even less in politics of ballots. Now, it is being clearer that these non-maoists signed the peace deal just to throw the King who kicked out the butts of this corrupt and incompetent lot of non-maoists from the power then. So often, If you are unable to foresee the impact of revenge you carry out, the revenge in itself converts into your own enemy and will target you, this is what it is being proved in fact.
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 5:55 PM NST
84. slarti
#82 Here you go again, repeating the same old lies with the same old vehemence.Your every response hinges on your claim that everybody opposing you is a class enemy in some way.
By that argument, do you admit that over 7.5 million of the nearly 10.5 million people who voted in the CA election were clearly opposed to the Maoist party?
It is pointless to argue with you because you always say the same things when facing facts. Let me ask you some questions instead.
A)Why did the Maoist sign the peace agreement that they have not adhered to in the first place?
B) What prompted the Maoist to sign a deal with GP Koirala and all the others when they were fighting a war against them in the first place?
C)Why was the DDC and VDC infrastructure destroyed?
D)Why were the lower level political leaders murdered, why were teachers murdered, why were students kidnapped, why were they terrorised with wanton violence in their presence?
E)If they had an interest in democracy how was it that they withdrew themselves from the process in the first place?
F)What program's do the Maoist have that sets them apart from other political parties in Nepal? Do they accept that the economy should be mixed? So do the NC and the UML.
G)Which part of their agenda will be implemented in Nepal that has not already been tried in North Korea, Laos, China, USSR, Socialist Eastern Block countries, and elsewhere?
H)What is the basis of their claim that these program's will work here in Nepal when they have failed everywhere else?
I)Why did they kill over 15000 people, brutally, when facts and evidence clearly showed communism simply does not work?
J)The Nepal Army has taken action in each single instance where there was an accusation of misconduct or rights violation based on its regulations. Why have the Maoists failed to take even a single step in the right direction?
K)How does the Maoist party finance itself?
L)Why are the members of the PLA getting paid government money?
M)Why does everybody have to pay a portion of their income to the Maoist party? Does that contribute to making Nepal better in any way?
N) That the NGO's were working for the Maoists was clear from the start and that INGO funding was heading in that direction is also clear, why are speaking against them now?
Posted
on:
17 FEB 2011 | 7:47 PM NST
85. Kale Rai
#69Arthur We don,t need your advice . you are here for propogating what is rejected in your country, if you have any? Are you a stowaway or emigre yourself? No way , no room for wild animals. Go to south for health(Mental). What is your real name,?
Posted
on:
18 FEB 2011 | 5:30 AM NST
86. jange
Kamred Arthur, please keep up with what the Maoists are saying and doing. Even the Maoists themselves have stopped making the arguments that you are making.
Posted
on:
18 FEB 2011 | 12:01 PM NST
87. Arthur jange #86, obviously as a foreigner who does not speak Nepali I cannot speak for the Maoists themselves or even read what they are saying in Nepali.
I am curious if you could briefly identify what arguments I am making that they have stopped making.
slarti #84, many of your "questions" are just irritating and I really cannot be bothered.
I am curious about this one:
I)Why did they kill over 15000 people, brutally, when facts and evidence clearly showed communism simply does not work?
The large majority of people killed brutally or otherwise during the people's war were killed by the security forces who accused them of being maoists.
Do you pretend it was the Maoists killing themselves just to be offensive or because you actually believe this nonsense?
Some other quick answers:
B) They signed a peace agreement with their enemies because wars are generally fought between enemies and end in peace agreements. Try to grasp this simple matter and a great deal of your incoherent rage about changes that seem incomprehensible to you could perhaps be resolved.
E) There has never been democracy in Nepal. The other parties fought a civil war rather than agree to hold the first free elections for a constituent assembly. Only as a result of that war were they forced to agree.
F) I have replied to you several times before with links to english translations of the detailed policy proposals from Maoist party. Key difference from the other parties is that such policies actually exist, wheras UML and NC simply pretended they agreed and said "me to" for main maoist agenda but then opposed it.
Here is their draft constitution. Again the other parties have no such draft because they do actually want to agree on a constitution.
L) Members of the PLA are being paid by an international peace fund from the donors because this was agreed to in the peace agreement. How else could there be a peace agreement?
N) As far as I know NGOs have mainly been aligned with UMLs, not Maoists. I have noticed that not only people like you are becoming more hostile to "internationals" but also the Dixits eg talking about "imperial progressives". My guess is that anybody trying to actually help Nepal develop ends up noticing that the other parties are simply out to loot the aid. This does make "internationals" pro-Maoist or prevent them from criticizing Maoists but it must be very hard to avoid feelings of nausea and disgust at having to collaborate regularly with UML and kangresi looters so it can seem as though they are pro-Maoist just because they cannot help showing their disgust towards the others.
Posted
on:
18 FEB 2011 | 7:01 PM NST
88. slarti
Arthur, most your responses are staple drivel utilised by communists to deflect the truth.
The delusional response about security forces having wantonly killed people is as pathetic as your assertions that Maoists are really a force for good. The fact is that the Maoists kidnapped school children and forced people into a conflict with security forces resulted in so many deaths.
The fact is that the Army stepped in only after things appeared to have gone out of hand, which was five years after the terror campaign started. The idea that it was only after this that the body count reached 15000 is a ridiculous fantasy that only a commie could believe in.
Contrary to overwhelming fact that Maoists forced kidnapped children and forced soldiers attack in waves which resulted in their death, you vehemently assert that security forces killed people.
Among all the other reasons, the fact is that it was the Maoists who started the war, it was they who displayed inhuman brutality, it was them who destroyed infrastructure. They bear the responsibility of all the deaths that occurred during the war of terror. Not the Army and the police who sought to prevent the terror from taking root.
B) Try and get a grip on the fact that the Maoist were pushed into a corner and had no way out but to depend on the wily politicians to save their skin.
E) There was democracy in Nepal, you shouting, screaming and stamping your foot is not going to change that fact. It is also not going to hide the fact that the Maoists seek to establish a dictatorship and have no desire for democracy in this country or anywhere else. Your incoherent assertions to the contrary is not going to change the facts.
F) And I have repeatedly shown through detailed responses that they are not policy, but mere slogans. Policy is different, and the slogans reveal that the Maoist policy is no different from a fifth graders dreams.
L) The members of the PLA are charging a rent for not engaging in violence. Mafia organisations charge this type of protection rent money. The YCL extorts protection money from the citizens of this country.
N) In that case your understanding does not go far enough. Get some.
Posted
on:
19 FEB 2011 | 11:50 AM NST
89. jange 87. Arthur jange #86, obviously as a foreigner who does not speak Nepali I cannot speak for the Maoists themselves or even read what they are saying in Nepali.
I am curious if you could briefly identify what arguments I am making that they have stopped making.
Sorry, not my job to educate you. The ones in Nepal, Nepali and foreigner, know what I am talking about and that is enough.
Posted
on:
19 FEB 2011 | 3:08 PM NST
90. slarti
Selected from newspaper reports.
2006
October 6: Three children were killed and five persons were wounded when a bomb exploded in the Basauti Village Development Committee area of Kailali District.
April 23: Five Maoists, one SF personnel and three civilians were killed in an attack by the Maoists on security bases in Chautara, headquarters of the Sindhupalchowk district.
April 7: At least four Maoists and two civilians were killed after Maoists attacked security bases in the Butwal and Kapilavastu districts.
April 5: Five police personnel and four Maoists were killed during clashes at Malangwa, headquarters of the Sarlahi district.
March 30: Two SF personnel and one Maoist were killed during clashes at Bagmati checkpoint bordering the Sarlahi and Rautahat districts.
March 22: Two Armed Police Force personnel and three Maoists were killed at Urlabari in the Morang district, when the latter attacked security forces escorting a vehicle that was carrying money from the Urlabari branch of Rastriya Banjiya Bank.
March 21: Nine police personnel and three Maoists were killed when the latter attacked the Ilaka police post at Birtamod in Jhapa district.
March 20: 13 soldiers were killed during a Maoist ambush in the Dapcha area of Kavre district
March 10: Seven soldiers were killed during clashes with the Maoists in the southern part of Ilam district
March 8: Two soldiers were killed and another injured when Maoists opened fire at security forces near the district postal office of Bharatpur in Chitwan district
March 6: Two civilians, three security force personnel and four Maoists were killed in a Maoist attack at Ilam district headquarters.
February 28: Eighteen Maoists and 11 SF personnel were killed in a clash at Panena, a bordering area between the Arghakhanchi and Palpa districts.
February 27: Three SF personnel and a civilian were killed when Maoists attacked a team of troops at Kavre Bhanjyang area in the Kavrepalanchowk district.
February 9: Sixteen SF personnel, four Maoists and a civilian were killed at Rambhapur area along the Sunwal-Butwal section of the Sidhhartha Highway in Nawalparasi district, when the Maoists attacked security personnel who had reached Rambhapur to remove roadblocks put up by the former.
February 7: Five soldiers were killed and three sustained injuries when Maoists launched a massive attack in Dhankuta targeting the district administration office, regional administration office and all security agencies in the district.
February 7: Five SF personnel and a Maoist 'section commander' were killed when Maoists attacked a patrolling team at Simaltar in the Triyuga municipality of Udayapur district.
February 7: Five persons are killed when the Maoists attacked a RNA base camp and the Panauti municipality office in Kavrepalanchowk district.
January 31: Eleven SF personnel and four insurgents were killed in a Maoist attack at Tansen, headquarters of the Palpa district.
January 27: 11 Maoist insurgents and two SF personnel were killed in a Maoist attack on the joint security base at Hatuwagadhi in Bhojpur district.
January 24: Two security force personnel, one Maoist and a civilian were killed and four SF personnel sustained injuries when Maoists launched simultaneous attacks in the Nepalgunj town of Banke district.
January 20: Six police personnel were killed and four others sustained injuries when Maoists launched simultaneous attacks on the BP Chowk security check post, Jamunaha Police Post and the Customs Office in the Nepalgunj town of Banke district.
January 14: Twelve soldiers are killed and eight persons sustain injuries in a series of attacks carried out by the Maoists at different police posts of the Kathmandu Valley.
January 11: Seven police personnel are killed in a Maoist attack at Dhangadhi, headquarters of the Kailali district.
January 6: Three Armed Police Force personnel are killed and another sustained injuries when Maoists opened fire targeting a patrol party at Bhairahawa in the Rupandehi district.
January 5: Three police personnel were killed and two injured in a Maoist attack on an Armed Police Force security check-post at Ranjha chowk in Nepalgunj.
2005
August 27: Seven persons travelling in a passenger bus from Kathmandu to Dang were killed and three others sustained injuries in an explosion at Surai Naka section on the Mahendra highway at the border of Kapilvastu and Dang districts.
August 26: Five SF personnel were killed and two others were injured in an IED explosion at Khairanpur in the western district of Kapilavastu.
August 22: Four police personnel are killed and four others sustained injuries when their vehicle struck a landmine at Manigram in the Rupandehi district.
August 7: Approximately 50 troops are killed during a Maoist attack on a RNA base at Pili in the Kalikot district.
July 22: At least seven RNA personnel are killed in an ambush laid by the Maoists on a security patrol team near Goltakuri Rajkot in the Dang district.
June 25: At least 12 soldiers are killed during a Maoist attack on an army patrol team at Khandaha in the Arghakhanchi district.
June 24: At least eight Royal Nepalese Army personnel and one police personnel are killed by the Maoists at Pandhare in the Bhojpur district.
June 19: At least five soldiers are killed during a Maoist attack on various Government offices and security forces� bases at Diktel, headquarters of the Khotang district.
June 14: Maoists kill seven family members of a police personnel, including three women and a one-year old child, at Attariya in the Kailali district.
June 10: Six soldiers and two civilians are killed during a Maoist attack on a passenger bus near Narke river in the Mangaltar area of Kavre district.
June 6: At least 36 civilians and three soldiers are killed and 72 persons sustain injuries in a landmine blast triggered by the Maoists at Mudhekhola in the Chitwan district.
Maoists kill seven security force personnel and injure at least 12 others during an attack on a patrol team at Masuriya jungle in Kailali district.
May 6: Maoists kill Nepal�s top Hindu leader Narayan Prasad Pokhrel, chairman of the World Hindu Federation (Nepal chapter), at Dudharachha village in the Rupandehi district.
April 23: Five children are killed and three others sustain injuries during a bomb explosion allegedly triggered by the insurgents at Pakhapani in the Rolpa district.
April 16: Maoists kill ten civilians, including a child, at Baragdawa in the Somni area of Nawalparasi district.
April 9: Insurgents attack the District Police Office, an Army battalion, district prison and also burn some Government offices at Charikot, headquarters of the Dolakha district, and freed some 30 prisoners from the prison.
March 6: A group of Maoists kill five civilians, allegedly members of an �anti-Maoist retaliation group�, at Kudarmatewa village in the Kapilavastu district.
March 4: Insurgents set ablaze and destroy 11 Government buildings, including those of the police, district administration and the general post office at Sandhikharka, headquarters of the Arghakhanchi district.
February 27: At least 10 soldiers are killed and an equal number sustain injuries during separate Maoist attacks in the Bara and Solukhumbu districts.
January 26: Five troops are killed and eight people sustain injuries in a Maoist ambush at Bhyaple along the Baglung-Pokhara highway in Parbat district.
January 19: At least 23 security force personnel are reported to have died at Barbote in the eastern district of Ilam.
January 2: Five police personnel are killed and six others sustain injuries during a Maoist attack on an Army patrol team at Bangaon along the Mahendra highway in the far-western district of Kanchanpur.
January 1: At least 12 soldiers are killed during a clash with the Maoist insurgents at Malbase on the Koshi Highway in Dhankuta district.
2004
December 22: Five soldiers, five civilians and eight Maoists are killed and several others sustain injuries when a group of insurgents attacked an army patrol at Karnali-Chisapani in the Bardiya district.
December 15: At least 21 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) personnel are killed at Sisnekhola in the Sidwara VDC area of Arghakhanchi district.
December 4: Six security force personnel are killed and three others sustain injuries when Maoist insurgents attacked an army patrol near Surai Naka along the Mahendra highway in the western district of Kapilavastu.
November 21: At least 10 soldiers are killed at Khimdi in the Pandaun VDC area of Kailali district.
November 17: Eight Armed Police Force personnel are killed, a dozen others are injured and over two dozen were reported to be missing after Maoist insurgents detonate landmines at Khari Khola along the Mahendra highway in Banke district.
August 26, 2004: A group of 50 armed Maoist insurgents shot dead a former Chairman of Dhanusha District Development Committee and Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (Nationalist) leader, Badri Bahadur Karki, in the Bharatpur area.
August 2, 2004: Maoist insurgents have reportedly killed the former Mayor of Guleriya Municipality, Rajendra Shrivastav, in Bardiya district
July 5: Twelve police personnel and a civilian are killed in a land mine ambush laid by the Maoist insurgents at Bindhyabasini village in Parsa district.
June 14: At least 22 security force personnel are killed and 16 others sustained injuries in a landmine explosion by the Maoist insurgents at Khairikhola in the Banke district.
May 9: During a Maoist attack on a passenger bus, eight security force personnel and seven civilians are killed at Mainapokhari in the Dolakha district.
April 4: At least nine police personnel are killed during a Maoist attack on the Yadhusha police post in Danusha district.
March 20 - 21: In a Maoist attack on the District Jail, Office of the Chief District Officer and Army Camps at Beni Bazaar in the Myagdi district, at least 51 security force personnel, including 33 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) personnel, and 20 civilians are killed.
March 3: Maoists insurgents, numbering around approximately 1500 to 2000, attack Nepal Telecommunication Towers and kill 32 security force personnel in Bhojpur district.
January 15: Maoist insurgents kill the Mayor of Birgunj and member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Gopal Giri, at Bahuaari in the Birgunj district.
2003
December 17: Maoist insurgents kill 11 soldiers in separate land mine blasts in the Kapilavastu and Bardiya districts.
November 15: Four security force personnel, including Brigadier General Sagar Bahadur Pandey, are killed and nine others sustain injuries in an ambush by the Maoist insurgents at Bhainse in Makwanpur.
November 5: Maoist insurgents detonate a bomb outside the Crown Prince's palace (Nirmal Niwas) in the capital Kathmandu. However, no fatalities are reported.
November 2: At least ten security force personnel are killed and six others injured in an ambush by Maoist insurgents at Simara.
October 28: Seven security force personnel and two civilians are killed during a Maoist attack on the Sishuwa Police Post at Danda Nak in Kaski district.
September 12: Maoists kill six civilians in the capital Kathmandu.
September 8: Eight civilians are killed and 12 others sustain injuries in bomb explosions at six places in the capital Kathmandu.
January 26: Armed Police Force chief Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife and bodyguard are killed in an attack by Maoist insurgents in Kathmandu.
January 23: Two police personnel are killed and 20 more injured in an ambush laid by Maoists in Girighat, Surkhet district.
January 3:Maoist insurgentskill five security force personnel at Gawar, 350km west of Kathmandu.
2002
December 18: Insurgents attack a police post in Koilabas, Indo-Nepal border, Dang district, and kill six police personnel injure two more.
November 14: Intense clashes occur between security forces and Maoists in Jumla and Gorkha. Insurgents, numbering several hundreds, attack Jumla airport and two police establishments and other government offices killing Jumla Chief District Officer Damodar Pant and two civilians Also, 33 policemen and four soldiers are killed in the clashes in Jumla, while the insurgents lose at least 55 cadres.
23 police personnel are killed during clashes in Gorkha.
Insurgents kill former Member of Parliament Chakra Bahadur Chaudhary of the Communist Party of Nepal��United-Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), at his residence in Dhangadhi.
October 27: Insurgents attack the Rumjatar airport, Okhaldhunga district. The chief of the security forces stationed there, a Captain in the Army, and two more troops are killed.
September 28: Maoists attack the Phaplu airport tower causing a damage of NR 2 million.
September 13: Nine police personnel, traveling in a jeep, are killed in an ambush laid by Maoist insurgents near the Mahendra Highway, Siraha district.
September 12: Insurgents set-off an explosion and destroy the residence of Minister of State for Local Development Duryodhan Singh Chandhary at Padsari, Rupandehi district.
September 11: Insurgents attack and damage the residence of former Minister of State Bhakta Bahadur Rokaya at Mahat in Jumla, and separately set-off explosions at the home of former Minister Netra Bikram Thapa.
September 10: Maoist insurgents blast the residence of Hom Nath Dahal, spokesperson of the Nepali Congress faction headed by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, in Okhaldungha.
September 8: 49 police personnel are killed and 21 more injured in an attack by a group of an estimated 1,100 Maoist insurgents in Sindhuli district at the Bhimad police post.
A group of an estimated 3,000 insurgents, in the Argakhachi district headquarters town of Sandhikharka, kill 68 SF personnel and raze to the ground all government offices in the town.
July 5: Ten persons are injured in a bomb explosion at the headquarters of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba�s faction of the Nepali Congress party in New Baneswore area, Kathmandu.
February 17: 48 Royal Nepal Army troops and 49 police personnel are killed by Maoists in Mangalsen (Acham district) clashes.
2001
December 27: Maoists set off an explosion and damage the residence of Assistant Law Minister Nagendra Kumar Raya in Phulparasai village, Sarlahi district.
December 23: Insurgents destroy the private residence of Cabinet Minister Chiranjivi Wagle in Chitwan district.
December 19: The house of Water Resources Minister Narayan Sharma Poudel, in Chitwan district, is set ablaze by Maoists.
November 23: Maoist insurgents break the ongoing truce by attacking the Army barracks in Ghorai, Dang district, killing 14 soldiers and injuring 30 others. Separately, the insurgents attack the airport in Surkhet and blow up a private-owned helicopter, besides damaging two more helicopters stationed at the airport.
July 7: Insurgents set off explosions near the private residence of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at Biratnagar. However, no one is killed or injured in the incident
April 1: At least 300 Maoists attack a hilltop police post in Rukum district and kill 31 police personnel, besides injuring 11 and abducting 23 more.
February 3: Maoist insurgents ambush the convoy of Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay, who narrowly escapes the attack, in Chhyasatti, Surkhet, 500km west of the capital Kathmandu. Six others, including a judicial officer, are killed in the attack.
2000
September 24: 1,000 Maoist insurgents attack and demolish the district administration headquarters and a branch of the Nepal Rashtriya Bank in Dunai, Dolpo district.
June 8: 1,600 Maoist insurgents surround a police post manned by 53 personnel in Jajarkot district and attack with mortars and bombs. Nine police personnel, seven civilians and 21 insurgents are killed in the incident.
February 7: Maoists waylay a bus in Dolakha district carrying Polish tourists and rob them of approximately US$ 5,000 in cash. This is the first major incident by Maoists targeting foreign visitors.
1999
April 19: Maoist insurgents explode bombs at the office of the Election Commission and ofGorkhapatra, the largest circulated Nepali newspaper, in Kathmandu.
March 5: Communist Party of Nepal��Unified-Marxist-Leninist (CPN�UML) leader Yadu Gautam is assassinated by Maoist insurgents
Posted
on:
19 FEB 2011 | 5:33 PM NST
91. slarti
Civilians
Security Force Personnel
Maoist insurgents
Total
2000*
18
113
44
175
2001
50
198
803
1051
2002
238
666
3992
4896
2003
214
307
1584
2105
2004
380
481
1590
2451
2005
231
309
1305
1845
2006
61
181
238
480
2007
59
0
40
99
2008
55
1
25
81
2009
35
1
14
50
2010
12
1
24
37
2011**
0
0
1
1
Total
1353
2258
9660
13268
*Data since March 26, 2000 **Data till February 13, 2011
Posted
on:
19 FEB 2011 | 5:33 PM NST
92. Arthur slarti #91 thank you for correcting your claim that Maoists murder 15,000 and confirming my claim that the large majority of people killed during the people's war were killed by security forces who claimed that they were Maoists.
Your figures of 9660 Maoist insurgents killed out of 13,268 total speak for themselves.
Nevertheless there is something about your style of posting that makes me expect that you will continue shouting that the Maoists murdered 15,000 just as thought you had never admitted what you did admit.
Posted
on:
20 FEB 2011 | 3:41 PM NST
93. Hal Jones Dear Sir,
In this weeks Nepali Times I was surprised (not really) to see a comment by a certain Simon Robbins. Essentially, he is naively correct to question why people are suspect of a party garnering 30% of the votes and 40% of the seats in the house. First, a quick history lesson or two - I believe that the Nazi party under Adolf Hitler started out thumpingly with 35-40% of the votes, thereby getting the most seats in their house about 70 years ago, then closer to home, the former King Gyanendra received around 25% voter turn out in his local election bid who all voted for the royalist parties - a measely 25% voter turn out - (but wait a minute), the maoists also gained just 30% of the total votes - & 40% of the seats - while the Royalist parties gained 100% of the seats with 25% voter turn out during the time, that's only a 5% difference in popular votes!
What I am trying to say is that either Mr. Robbins lives in a caccoon or is a maoist with an agenda himself. We all know that the maoists, through intimidation, booth capturing and violence got those votes, we also know that other parties also get votes through illegal methods albeit in "slightly" less life threatening forms. We also know many people (rich & poor) may have voted for the maoists (without any of the aforementioned "goody bag" methodology), because of their disgust at the existing parties and a hope for meaningful peace in this nation, and the maoists obliged (did they ever) with grand hopes and plans. They even ran the government for a while and introduced even more innovative ways of doing graft and corruption and creating historical levels of inflation in the process, then blamed everyone else besides themselves on God's good earth for their failures. Unfortunately, all that has changed - the maoists have exposed themselves to be no better than anyone else in the past, their Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (aka Prachanda, a feudal brahmin) lies without batting an eyelid, added to which they use violence as a means of getting to their end. The media unfortunately out of fear or some other reasons do not cover all their "lovely ways" extensively (just a few days back a maoist senior cadre thrashed a 15 year old girl senseless, and sent her to the hospital for trying to mediate a marriage (for chrissake) for another girl). During, "peace time", the ones leading the count on human rights violations are no more the Nepal army - you guessed it - it is the same maoist party that 30% of the population voted for.
Just last week Mubarak was asked to leave by his citizens - he too has "won" every election in the past 30 years, (and probably will "win" the next one as well if given the chance to run - what irony), and I am afraid Prachanda and gang if given a free hand may do the same. This is exactly why the media need to get cracking and nip any future despots at the bud, more so now then ever before. This is why gentlemen like Simon Robbins should go over the next three words very carefully (and not forget them) - "lest we forget".
On a side note, Mr. Kanax Dixit is half a decade late as mentioned by a fellow commenter - many had been reminding him all those years ago that, "the maoist are up to no good!" Until the moaists and the other two "big" parties keep having their way, this nation will get nowhere. There are plenty of other parties registered who do not intimidate people, buy votes, capture booths and god forbid crack a head or two to garner votes. I think it is time the citizens of this nation gave them a serious look. Why not begin with the Shanti party (or the peace party), that would really be a wonderful new chapter for this beautiful nation.
Sincerely,
Hal Jones
Posted
on:
20 FEB 2011 | 7:52 PM NST
94. slarti
Arthur #92, I did not require your response to confirm that a communist would always stall in the face of an overwhelming statement of truth that all those deaths, each one of the 15, 000 and displacement of over 400,000 families was the direct result of the Maoist actions.
That you would continue denying that fact with your lies is natural.
To believe that kidnapped children and villagers forced to attack security posts would die in a larger number than security forces is well known.
That does not override the fact that people who kidnapped these children and forced the farmers to fight for the leaderships greed were not responsible for the deaths.
Nevertheless, do keep denying. It confirms Nepali doubts that Maoists don't care about their life, only their leaderships greed.
Posted
on:
20 FEB 2011 | 8:44 PM NST
95. jange
Slarti, Arthur,
Since the Maoists believe in using violence to achieving their political objective it would have been more logical, honest and� efficient to come out with a list of people that needed to be killed in order for them to have their revolution. Then those who agreed with them could have gone around killing just those people. Or maybe committed suicide if they were on the list and still wanted to further the revolutionary cause!
But instead they chose to go around murdering, looting and extorting.�
The problem in Nepal now is that politicos and intellectuals still cannot clearly state (because of fear or duplicity) whether the Maoist violence was justified and legitimate. Take Kanak as an example. Or even Kamred Arthur- despite the anonymity offered by the internet he cannot say the Maoist violence was legitimate and justified.
There isn't much to the Maoist issue. Just answer honestly whether the Maoist violence was justified and legitimate and the issue is dealt with.
Posted
on:
22 FEB 2011 | 8:57 AM NST
96. sukha
dear editor,
its been a while, and there are no more commnents posted. I hope the dust has setteld, and many of ktm intelligensia have returned to their daily chores. But, where is our journalism heading? its so nauseating.
Does NT always has to publish such robotic reporting and analysis based upon mean politics. When are you moving forward, Mr ediotor?
You may say that we also report this thing, that thing and look we had published those reports. But, there are no stories of common man and his dreams, his ambitions, his success and his failures. Its the common man who makes or breaks the nation. Forget those greedy polticians and avoid glorifying them d.irectly or indirectly. Stop such rehotric.
I hope u will write about peasents, drivers, students,and so many more Neapli who are working outside the country; rather than going round and round with politics and posting gloomy pictures. Yes, the politics sale well and it has more than truth in nepali culture.
