Nepal’s communist movement has gradually been turning to ethnic and linguistic movement to gain support. In a valley bandh programme organised on Wednesday, a slogan was chanted against Khas, which include mainly the Chhetriyas. The bandh was supported by all left parties including the Maoists and ML but UML remained quiet.

Meanwhile, the underground Maoist party has adopted the strategy of supporting ethnic, linguistic and diversionary forces. The Karnali Liberation Front run by Yogi Narahari Nath, movement of Tej Bikram Shah in mid-western hill region, Kathmandu Newa Khala, Khumbuwan and Limbuwan Liberation Front in east and Terai Front in Terai are being thus supported.

Human rights activists like Rhisikesh Shah has supported the ethnic disturbance and Padma Ratna Tuladhar has joined in the movement. It can not be an accident only that Rhisikesh Shah, Marichman, Narahari Nath and Maoists are the same.

(Nepal Bani, Thursday, Sept. 16)