The Maoists have announced the start of a "Nava Kranti," or New Revolution. They have been extorting money from common people and they advocate a dress code for women, they have even taken to tearing the clothes off women that do not comply. The Maoist revolution's political philosophy revolves around bringing about fundamental changes in society. They realised that the other political parties just paid lip service to these issues but after seeing their ways now people have started challenging the Maoists and disobeying their directives. Terror, anti-nationalism and character assassination have become the hallmarks of their revolution. This all shows that the lower cadre of the Maoist organisation is out of the control of their leaders.

The underground comrades have set another record too. The cadre in Dailekh destroyed two statues of Bhagawati in a temple in Mehaltoli Village Development Committee (VDC). Many people used to worship these statues. This was another example of the Maoists taking on the character of the Taliban. Like the Talibans who destroyed the Buddha statues in Bamiyan they have attacked the icons in which thousands have faith. The Maoists have the right not to believe in god, but society and government cannot give them the right to destroy statues and temples which are icons of the people's faith.

Before destroying the statues, the Maoists had said that prayers were nothing but superstition and they would stop prayers at that temple. This happened on 19 September. The next day the Maoists disrupted Sanskrit classes at an ashram in Accham and forced the principal of the school to issue transfer certificates to 20 students so that they could attend another school nearby. They then closed down the ashram.


After this they manhandled the students and cut off their sacred threads and the tupi (tuft of hair on the heads of Bahuns). Everyone has the right to raise questions concerning religion and education, but no one has the right to impose their beliefs on some one else. Not even the Maoists.

After destroying the education sector, they have now turned their gaze on religion and temples. The people will definitely protest, and the administration must immediately take steps to halt them. If the Maoists continue with such behaviour, we can be sure this will be the beginning of their end. You can use hoodlums to spread terror in society but they cannot bring about political, social or economic changes...