Nepal cannot use time as the solution to its tremendous diversity “gone bad”, which is the root of the Maoist conflict and the nation’s prolonged problem in general

By Bishal Thapa

Andy Warhol, a renowned American pop artist and socialite once said “They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” This statement couldn’t be more fitting for Nepal at its current state. As the “people’s war” continues its own revolution/renaissance of morphing and transforming from one ideology and execution strategy to another, various debates continue to proliferate through the stretched hands of the media, about what ought to be done. There have been discussions about corruption, bureaucracy, constitutional weaknesses, lack of input or interest from the international community, India’s involvement and so on. These discussion “zones” range from the barber shops of Kathmandu all the way to the comfy houses of Non Resident Nepalese.

People want to talk about the movement. The answers to most of Nepal’s problems, however, are much simpler than the way these “intellectual think tanks” seem to make of it. It is simple to have tranquility but it is difficult to be simple. Nepal’s tribulations lie within the Nepali people’s mentalities and rigidness to change. The Nepali mentality in numerous cases is categorised by racist, selfish, time serving and retrogressive thinking. Regardless of the Nature vs. Nurture debate, Nepalis in general can’t help but label people as bahuns, gurungs, madhesis or whatever. The underlying beliefs within this labeling are deep rooted stereotypes and judgments that have been passed on from generation to generation.

These discussions come up a lot in the media, but politicians and diplomats defending Nepal’s situation especially with respect to human rights issues, use the argument of “a maturity process” quite often. Their contention is that just like women’s suffrage didn’t arrive in a democratic U.S. until the 1930’s, progressive optimum in a democratic framework takes time to achieve. The Maoists have simply taken advantage of this deprived, dispossessed reality of a majority agrarian society. If we want to use 1930’s America as a blueprint to where we are now I guess some of us won’t live to see the day when Nepal has finally disembarked.

We cannot use the U.S.’s existing racial tensions in spite of its “glorious” achievements, or India’s caste issues as a defense mechanism as to where we are now. Nepali diplomats generally in the western hemisphere are constantly being cornered either by the European Union or Washington, to propose and implement some sort of solution. The Nepalis are left using these types of comparative analogies to justify Nepal’s crisis, most significantly at the “humanitarian” level.

Imagine setting off a “fire-cracker” under the roof of a spacious house. There will be some damages, the walls might blacken a bit, a fire could be set off, but these damages might be nominal. Now if we put this same firecracker on the palm of our hands, spark it off and close our hands to make a fist, what will happen? The damages will be far worse than the previous scenario. Yes, it is about Nepal with respect to size. India and the U.S. can handle racial tensions, ethnic diversity, (although the U.S. is over 80% White) with less damages because of their size. Nepal’s diversity and racial issues with respect to its size, is like a firecracker in the palm of your hands. Nepal cannot use time as the solution to its tremendous diversity “gone bad”, which is the root of the Maoist conflict and the nation’s prolonged problem in general.

What defines a nation-state’s identity and success? Is it the Constitution or its’ effective and efficient laws? No, a nation’s identity is defined by its people. Nepal is defined by its people, its diversity in terms of race as well as culture and tradition. This all begins at a cerebral level. How do we view our fellow nationals? Do we view them as a Nepali or as various castes and sub castes all assorted and intertwined into a recipe that is brewing for disaster? If the institutionally educated masses have enlightened themselves and are ready to sing in unison, how do we educate and explain this to the farmer in the hills or the flat plains, who will not even touch a so called “dalit?” How will we change a landlord’s perception of property rights with respect to ownership and equitable allocation without abducting or murdering him? These problems have to be addressed with a much more sense of urgency because for a country of Nepal’s size, further disintegration at this crucial social level could be and will be devastating.

We each have to introspect and ask ourselves how and why we view someone the way we do from a so called “different caste”? How can we harmonize our interaction with each other from an individual level, to an institutional and governing level so that we can coexist peacefully under one roof? Nepalis have to change their mentality and somewhat realize that what is, just is, of itself, because time isn’t going to be doing it for us.

There is a big splinter group out there that is afraid of a democratic republic and ousting of the monarchy, because it is such a drastic change to fathom and digest. How will the country fare with such a pure form of democracy, especially when it relinquishes the monarchy, which still could possibly coexist as a unifier and “watch-dog” of the nation and will step in if a major crisis arises? Are the political parties and people ready to commit to that kind of democracy; mentally? They have proved that they weren’t ready in the 90’s. It is like letting go your 16 year old child to go and live his life and figure things out on his own, but at least he has a lender of last resort in his parents, if things spiral out of control for him/her.

They need to be flexible to the idea of change without overly analyzing their “risk-averse” mentality at a time when India and China are growing astronomically. Nepal has to position itself in such a way that this prosperity being experienced by its neighbors can have a trickle down effect on it.

As far as a peaceful resolution is concerned, the biggest worry is what will be of the Maoist guerillas? If they decide to put their arms down, and join the mainstream, they probably will be pardoned. Can a possible retaliation from the families who lost their loved ones through altercations with the insurgency groups be prevented? Can the Nepali people accept the freedom of Maoist guerillas walking the streets of Nepal, living normal lives with a murderous resume? Some couldn’t even deal with an Indian Movie star’s “alleged” condescending remarks towards Nepal without having to hit the streets and destroy national property. Perhaps they have no other form of reconciliation with the Maoists than just letting go.

With respect to changes in people’s perspectives and attitudes it is glaringly obvious that this is a mountain of a task. There cannot be much progress made in areas of healthcare and education with the vicissitudes of the conflict constantly handicapping progressive agendas. That is even more reason why at the political level there has to be more flexibility to reform and transcend, so that these “good deeds” can be carried out without such barriers and we can get to the root of the problem a little faster. Corruption and bad seeds will exist everywhere, but for Nepal to take the next step it will require a revolution of sorts in its thought process. Social programs and economic reform are crucial to educate people but the power to change and the power to upgrade the way we think is up to us.

Granted the fact that neighboring India has acted in many ways to limit Nepal’s mobility over the years, it should not cry out and blame other nations for their various roles in preventing it to develop. Nepal for reasons mentioned above and many more has been shooting itself in the foot.

(Currently based in New York, Thapa works in the finance field. Please send your comments to [email protected] or [email protected])

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