Proclamations alone will not satisfy the conditions for a nation deeply divided to exist in peace and prosperity. The most crucial challenge confronting Nepal is bridging the gulf that exists within the nation

By Yurendra Basnett

With the monsoon rains still speculative, the fields were parched and the boon of harvest laid a distant dream. Beyond fatalism, one couldn’t mitigate one’s deprivations. The rains would come, but when or how good would it be? We looked to the future – the immediate one – but with uncertainty. Amidst this quagmire, there was one more exigency, equally uncertain, but one where collective individual agency (collective action) could make a difference.

In my previous article, ‘Whispers of a Nation’, I had argued that yearning for ‘freedom’ was the causal factor for collective action expressed in the form of popular uprising. But the political landscape of Nepal has moved to a new phase.

In April, with the political stage set, the contenders (King – Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and Maoists) locked their horns. The alliance relied on a massive mobilization of people – its show of force – to pressure the King to give up his absolute rule. But this was contingent on monsoon (the best guess of when it would come), as there was a high correlation between monsoon and the level of people’s participation. Once monsoon began people would return to farming, which would reduce the scale of people’s participation.

Both contending parties would have probably factored this into their strategic calculations. So, for the alliance, the mobilization had to be quick and overwhelming till the desired outcome was achieved. On the other side, the King’s pawns had to hold and guard the fort till monsoon, when the onslaught would relatively diminish. Given these factors, the remaining variable was ‘margin of error’ – proximate actions that produce unintended consequences. The interplay of these variables would determine the tilt of the balance; and hence the ensuing of ‘Monsoon Politics’. But this is in retrospect and the outcome is known. While monsoon might not be a determining variable anymore, politics in Nepal hasn’t lost its metaphorical characteristics – sudden, loud, deceiving, muddy, with the ability to quench, stimulate harvest and rejuvenate.

The recent proclamations, among which the change of name from ‘His Majesty’s Government’ to ‘Nepali Government,’ is in keeping with the sentiments of the people’s movement. These changes underpin the onset of institutional transformation. While the efforts and sentiments of the House of Representatives are laudable, however, one must evaluate the means against the ends. If the aims of such changes are to make the society more democratic and representative, will these changes achieve those aims? Another way of looking at it is: has the change from ‘His Majesty’s Government’ to ‘Nepali Government’ qualitatively changed our conception and practice of citizenship? More importantly, how do these changes foster a common national identity, which is imperative for the viability of a nation. Does a person from Jumla or Ilam feel more Nepali now than previously?

Proclamations alone will not satisfy the conditions for a nation deeply divided to exist in peace and prosperity. The most crucial challenge confronting Nepal is bridging the gulf that exists within the nation. Currently, each sub-group co-exists, within a larger institutional arrangement of the state, as merely satellites of the centre of power (Kathmandu). Hence, the political challenge that confronts the nation (if it is to be one) is to create institutional arrangements that facilitate co-interdependence of the many sub groups of the nation. In other words, people from Jumla to Ilam should feel as much Nepali as the people of Kathmandu, and each sub-group through complex interactions should share a common fate. So, the prosperity of the people of Jumla should be integrally linked to the prosperity of the people of Ilam. This will increase the opportunity cost of conflict and lower the transaction costs of cooperation, fostering a viable and vibrant nation. Therefore, while the name change has significant emotional and symbolic value, it must be met with appropriate institutional arrangements, if that value is to translate into a national reality. Hence, if the current movement of institutional transformation is to preserve the viability of the nation to exist without conflict, then the task at hand is to create institutional arrangements that facilitate cooperation and co-interdependence among the many sub groups of the nation.

So how do we create such institutions? The institutional formation and arrangements are the product of distributive conflicts, stocks of knowledge and future speculation. Distributive conflict stems from power politics – in more general terms – the powerful dictates the institutional arrangement as per his/her interest. The stock of knowledge is our past experience, indigenous knowledge and exogenously acquired knowledge that each sub group of the nation possesses in differing forms. Future speculation is the approximation of future trajectory, or, more generally, an informed view of how things might be in the future? Issues concerning distributive conflict have received wide coverage and the proclamations made by the King or the party are examples of it. With regards to ‘stock of knowledge’, as a nation we have a good memory of ‘collective experiences’ such as Rana regime, Panchayat System, democracy in the ’90s and so forth. However, stemming from ‘distributive conflict’, we have so far paid very little attention to indigenous or acquired knowledge. Each sub group has unique indigenous knowledge that needs to be aggregated to the national level and complimented by acquired knowledge in order to formulate efficient and effective institutional arrangement. Similarly, successive approximation, normatively, of future is often lacking due to lack of imagination and creativity in our leaders.

We have failed to envision a common future of the nation or even comprehend future external factors, such as geo-political realities that may significantly impact us as a nation. Therefore, the most crucial task confronting the current political phase (including the possible outcome of the Constituent Assembly) is to create institutional arrangements through aggregation of the stock of knowledge and successive approximation of the future that is inclusive and addresses issues concerning distributive conflict. Finally, the current political exuberance must not deviate from political realism. Based on the above arguments, no meaningful democracy can be achieved without a coherent nation with a common identity, fate and future. These are the issues that form the bedrock of challenges confronting the nation. One can only expect so much from the politicians, the rest will continue to depend on people’s collective action this monsoon.

(A post-graduate student at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Basnett prepared this article together with his colleagues, Joseph Sinatra and Bimbika Sijapati. Please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected])

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to [email protected])

Special Advisor to the United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs, Samuel Tamrat (File photo)
Samuel Tamrat, Special Advisor to the United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs, left Kathmandu Tuesday, after nearly two-week long visit to Nepal during which held discussions with political leaders on the prospective UN role in Nepal’s peace process.

Talking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport before his departure, Tamrat said he would convey the matters discussed during his visit to Nepal and India to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

“We hope the UN can be useful party in restoring peace and stability in Nepal,” said he. On a questioning regarding the UN role in management of arms, he reiterated that it would be too early to say anything on the issue.

Tamrat, who arrived in Kathmandu on May 6, held two rounds of parleys with the leaders of political parties including Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. He had gone to New Delhi on Thursday to win India’s support on the future UN engagement in Nepal for peace.

A senior official from the UN peacekeeping operations had also accompanied him to Delhi, according to reports. Tamrat had returned to Kathmandu on Saturday.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Koirala and Rastriya Prajatantra Party chairman Pashupati SJB Rana on Monday, the UN envoy said he found the views of the political leaders [over the prospective UN role] positive.

The UN has said it is ready to assist in restoring peace in Nepal.

Tamrat’s visit came in the context of the Maoist demand for mediation of a reliable international party like the UN in the peace process.

The high-level commission formed to investigate the misuse of power to suppress the pro-democracy movement of the country and to recommend action against the culprits has asked the details of expenditure during the 15 month long direct rule of the King.

The Commission has written to the Finance Ministry to furnish the details of expenditure made from the state fund during the 15 month period.

The commission demanded the details of expenditure to investigate into the misuse of state fund to suppress the pro-democracy movement of the country.

The commission also recommended that government suspend Narayan Gopal Malego, director general of the Department of Information.

The commission has accused Malego of misusing state money in the name of garnering media support for the royal government.

He was also charged of unequal distribution of the welfare advertisement and partial classification of newspapers.

The government, under the one window policy of advertisement, deprived newspapers not supporting the royal takeover from government advertisement during the tenure of Malego.

Maoist leaders promised that the party would not physically attack journalists and that they are committed to press freedom.

Talking with officials of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Maoist Politburo member Matrika Prasad Yadav said, “Our party is totally committed to press freedom, but the freedom should at times be relative and take account of the people.”

Yadav showed sorrow over some incidents when the Maoists physically attacked journalists or obstructed them from doing their duty and admitted that the party had to face criticism because “they failed to train their activists properly”.

Earlier, the FNJ officials urged the Maoist leadership to show commitment to press freedom, to allow media persons access to areas of information and to provide compensation for the family of murdered journalists.

The umbrella organization of journalists also urged the rebels for the rehabilitation of displaced journalists, felicitation of journalists killed during armed conflict by Maoists, appropriate compensation to the family members of such journalists, and appropriate action against the culprits.

Meanwhile, the FNJ has expressed alarm over the pressure by Maoist affiliated All Nepal Trade Union (Revolutionary) to Radio Birgunj and Kalika FM.

Issuing a statement on Sunday, FNJ has said the issues raised by the union are already being discussed by the federation with the relevant radio stations and the government in order to protect professional rights of journalists.

Youth leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) urged their leadership to come up with a clear policy on restructuring the state and the issues to be raised during election to Constituent Assembly.

“The NC should, at the earliest, present its appropriate framework about restructuring the state before the nation for adequate discussion and debate,” said a press statement issued by NC youth leaders on Sunday.

The youth leaders of NC including Chandra Bhandari, Guru Ghimire and Dipak Giri also appealed the party leadership to initiate efforts for the reunification of NC and NC (Democratic).

They also stressed the need of launching a national campaign to protect and institutionalize the achievements of the people’s movement.

The youths have demanded the government to immediately initiate peace talks with Maoists after forming a dialogue team and formulating the code of conduct, change “His Majesty’s Government” to “Nepal Government,” rehabilitate the conflict victims, bring out the resolution and plan of national reconstruction and give completion to the present Council of Ministers.

They also asked the Maoists not to interpret the reinstatement of the House of Representatives as a “betrayal to the movement” and give up the demand of dissolution of the parliament until election to Constituent Assembly was held.

Maoists have been asking dissolution of the parliament and the present constitution before the election of the constituent assembly.

The NC youth leaders appealed to the Maoists to conduct their activities without displaying arms and release those still under their control.

The leaders also asked the seven-party alliance to move ahead united and not waste their time and energy on petty interests.

The leaders also added that all the alliance partners should not behave as if they were opposition in the parliament and government.

Families of the martyrs and the injured of the 19-day people’s movement Sunday founded an organization named ‘Loktantrik Prarambhik Committee (LMC)’ to pressurise the government about people’s aspirations expressed during the movement and about their demands.

Due to the government’s apathy, the families of martyrs and people hurt during the movement have had to take the initiative to establish the forum themselves.

Kailash Timilsena is the president of the forum. The LPM’s objectives are identifying the victims of the movement and working as a facilitator between the victims and the agencies eager to support them.

Speaking at the program organized in the capital to launch the organization, they said they will dedicate themselves for the full transformation of the nation.

Speaking at the programme, Shambhu Thapa, patron of the LPM, said the forum was established to safeguard the future of the family members of the martyrs and those injured during the 19 days of protests. “We need a law that would help identify the victims of the movement,” Thapa said.

Rights activist, Daman Nath Dhungana, urged all concerned sides to keep in mind the objectives of the mass movement.

“Though the HoR has been reinstated, but with no upper house, the HoR cannot amend any ordinance,” he said, adding, “The HoR should have enough power to solve the problems like the one dealing with the victims of the movement.”

Prabha Khadka, wife of martyr Pradhumna Khadaka, asked the government to respect the cause that 21 people sacrificed their lives for and demanded punishment for those who tried to suppress the movement.

A high-level team led by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Nayan Bahadur Khatri visited detention centres where five former ministers have been detained Sunday afternoon.

Members of the NHRC Sudip Pathak and Gokul Pokherel were also present on the occasion.

The NHRC team queried about the health of the detained former ministers.

Johan Olhagen, head of the Kathmandu field office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR) also visited the former Ministers in detention.

The former ministers have been detained with the same laws used by the royal regime to arrest pro-democracy supporters.

The Rayamajhi Commission set-up to investigate the atrocities during the pro-democracy movement is yet to give its report.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights strongly condemned the arrests saying, “The government was misusing the public safety act”.

The government on Friday arrested former Home Minister Kamal Thapa, former Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, former Local Development Minister Tanka Dhakal, former minister of state for Information and Communications Shrish Shumsher Rana and former assistant minister Nikshya Shumsher Rana on the recommendation of the high level commission formed to investigate the atrocities committed during the pro-democracy movement of the country and to recommend action against culprits.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bikram Shah, chairman of Nepali Nationalists Organization (NNO) USA”, demanded to immediately release former Home Minister and Chairman of the Rastriya Prajantra Party Kamal Thapa, and all others immediately.

“The action taken by the Judicial Commission under the pressure of the SPA and Maoists is unconstitutional and should be annulled,” a statement issued by the NNO said.

The statement alleged the Commission was formed for the purpose of revenge. It added if the Commission was formed for the right purpose, it should also take action against the corrupt leaders and the Maoists who have committed atrocities and killed thousands of innocent Nepali people.

“NNO also heartily requests all to be very alert in order to save our motherland from disintegration,” the statement added.

The NNO also appealed to International Rights watchdog, Amnesty International to work to protect the Gross Human Rights violations committed by the present government.

Notwithstanding the statement of party leadership that they are not extorting money from people, the Maoists are continuing extortion in different parts of the country.

Maoists in Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla, extorted “donations” from 35 Indian pilgrims who were returning from Manasarobar in Tibet on Sunday.

According to the victims, they were forced to pay a total of Rs 33,000 to a group of Maoists led by vice-chief of people’s army, Surbir Ari, Kantipur daily reported.

Meanwhile, a press statement issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) said the rebels on Sunday demanded 20 days salary as ‘donation’ from teachers at Bikash Higher Secondary School at Lamjung.

Similarly, rebels last Wednesday collected food items from locals at Mangtewa area of Sankhuwasabha district and manhandled Maheshwori Secondary School’s teachers at Bala VDC, the RNA statement added.

Politburo member of Maoists Matrika Yadav refuted reports that the rebels are extorting money and assured that they will investigate the incident.

Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) has urged the reinstated House of Representatives (HoR) to move ahead as per the people’s aspiration expressed during the people’s movement and immediately move towards the election of the constituent assembly.

A press statement issued by the party after a three day long emergency meeting of the party on Monday, said, the party has demanded reinstatement of the local representatives elected through the election of 1997 as per the commitment of the seven political parties during the pro-democracy movement of the country.

The party also asked the government to take immediate action against those using excessive force to suppress the pro-democracy movement of the country and to recover the fund misused for the purpose of suppressing the movement from their personal property.

The party further demanded to revoke all ordinances issued by the unconstitutional government under the direct rule of the King.

The party also demanded to revoke the Terrorist and Disruptive Act (Control and Punishment) Ordinance to create conducive environment for the talks with the Maoists.

The party also asked the government to immediately constitute a negotiation team to hold talks with the Maoists and invite them for talks.

The statement further said that the party has decided to raise the issue of socialist republic during the election of the constituent assembly.

The party reiterated that the party will not join the coalition government of the seven political parties and added that it will play the role of constructive opposition in the parliament.

The seven political parties have decided to form a cabinet with representation from all seven political parties.

The King reinstated the dissolved HoR as per the roadmap of the seven political parties, following popular people’s movement.

Newly appointed Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has blamed the erstwhile royal government of pushing the country’s economy on the verge of collapse and has warned of serious fiscal crisis in the country.

Presenting the “White Paper” on the state of the country’s economy at the meeting of the reinstated House of Representatives on Monday, Minister Mahat warned that the government was likely to come across serious fiscal deficit in the days ahead. He admitted that the government was not in a position to meet its recurrent expenditure through existing sources of revenue.

Dr. Mahat said this year the economy was likely to grow at 1.8 percent only—less than the current population growth of 2.4 percent. “Instead of improving country’s economy, the situation is such that people might be poorer,” he said.

According to the 17-page long “White Paper,” inflation has gone up by 8 percent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year compared to that of 4 percent last year. The previous government had proposed to raise revenue worth Rs 81.81 billion in this fiscal year, but the Paper said there is likely to be a revenue shortfall of Rs eight billion.

Dr. Mahat said successive governments since October 4, 2002—when King Gyanendra dismissed a multi-party government—had spent scarce resources recklessly and security expenses had spiraled. Four years ago, the strength of security forces stood at over 121,000 — which rose to over 165,000 now. Similarly, security related expenses rose to nearly Rs 19 billion—up from nearly Rs 12 million four years ago. This year, the government has already spent nearly Rs 16.5 billion in security related expenses by mid-April this year.

The minister further said budget allocated for the royal palace had gone up by over six times over the last four years. In the fiscal year 2058/59 B. S., the government had allocated Rs 126.3 million for the royal palace. But, this year the government has already allocated Rs 751.2 million for the royal palace, he said.

Minister Dr. Mahat said the royal government created a liability of Rs 3.30 billion by purchasing plane and helicopters and an annual expenditure of Rs 1.21 billion by recruiting additional 10,000 soldiers this year. Rs 360 million was spent in high-level visits while Rs 280 million was spent in organizing controversial municipal level elections early this year.

The Seven Party Alliance government has already invalidated the municipal polls.

The Finance Minister said the government had adopted the policy of curtailing unnecessary expenditure in view of widening fiscal deficit. He said the government had suspended the purchase of new planes and no new positions will be created. He further announced that the government had imposed ban on ‘unnecessary’ foreign junket involving officials. He didn’t specify.

Minister Mahat said the government would soon announce a relief package so as to provide assistance to the family of martyrs and those who were injured during the pro-democracy movement, to rehabilitate people displaced due to the conflict and for the reconstruction of the infrastructure.

The Finance Minister called upon Nepal’s donors and multilateral agencies to release the assistance which they had suspended since the royal takeover last year, provide direct budgetary support to address the ‘cash crunch’ of the government and offer ‘liberal support” to help the government in its economic reconstruction programme.

Dr. Mahat also urged friendly countries to cancel their old travel advisories and encourage tourists to pay visit to Nepal as a “safe destination.”