Nepal: Model for Democracy, Development, Progress and Peace

‘The Line of Least Resistance’ or ‘Beware of the Beginnings!’

There should be no doubt that Nepal is well on the way to being a model democracy in Asia. Since the Glorious Revolution/Jan Andolan II of April 2006, Nepal has indeed become a showcase for demonstrating how a genuine People’s Movement can achieve all-round success in various fields. According to the aims and policies of the 7+1 government, Nepal is definitely going to be the Singapore or Switzerland of the Himalayas. We have only to look at the progress made in all respects in the areas of politics, economics, society, religion, etc., etc.

Regression has been relegated to the dustbin of history. Addressing the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, our minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs, Newang II rightly pointed out that Nepal’s secular, multi-religious, multi-linguistic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society has undertaken a significant transformation and march towards a multi-party polity and the rule of law. Thus, the obsolete and regressive Constitution of 1990 has been abolished by fiat and a new interim constitution will be proclaimed according to the mandate of the people, i.e. by virtue of the April Movement.

Nepal is, therefore, showing the world a new democratic path. It stands to reason that the interim government will also be fully democratic. It will not be encumbered in any way to make necessary, sweeping political, economic and social reforms. After all, the principle of checks and balances is wholly old-fashioned and is only practiced in capitalistic and imperialistic states! Of late, the judicial arm of the state is making unnecessary noises and its wings must be clipped (like those of the King) if we are to progress towards a post-capitalistic and open society.

The very good people have empowered parliament and this has – in an unprecedented move in world history – declared itself supreme, because the people are supreme. Thus, it can be in session in perpetuity, or transform itself into an interim parliament. This depends on the 7-party government and the Maoists, both of whom are also supreme. Thus, the holding of elections to the so-called Constituent Assembly may not be necessary at all. The people have already spoken and their true representatives will definitely do the needful.

It is no use wasting the country’s scarce resources for an ostensible democratic exercise. The on-going marathon negotiations between proven partners will no doubt bring forth another historic agreement of gigantic proportions – perhaps a 100-Point Pact? We Valley denizens must be ready to welcome our weary Maoist brothers and sisters as permanent guests in our homes with open arms. After all, have they not fought on our behalf for over ten years against the repressive security forces under the tyrannical rule of two feudal, regressive and unpopular kings? It is regrettable that collateral damage was caused, but as the management gurus say: ‘no risk, no gain’.

The useless monarchy has been rightly reduced to a non-entity. The sovereign people have already given their verdict, and it is, therefore, not necessary to wait for a referendum or constituent assembly to declare Nepal the world’s one and only Democratic Himalayan Republic. It is only a question of time before the Great Leader – “He, Without Whom Nothing Can Be Done” – will assume the exalted position of Supreme Father of the Nation. Girija Koirala is expected to quit active politics and become the first President of Nepal and Senior Statesman.

“The Fearless One”, the foremost tactician and strategist in the world of peaceful resolution of conflicts (soon to be consultant to the UN Secretary General) will put all the feudal Shah kings collectively in the shade and will be the uncrowned King of Gorkha. Did he not the other day take a cable ride to Manakamana and was ‘monarch of all he surveyed’? He did not deign to enter the so-called holy premises nor to offer useless worship, since after all ‘religion is the opium of the people.’

We Nepalese must all be re-educated and shed our superstitious beliefs. Thankfully, this will not be long in coming, once our Maoist deliverers assume the burden of government openly, and not from behind the curtains as of now. Our temples and stupas must of necessity be razed to the ground – they are relics of a bygone feudal and illusory past.

As regards the future government, Nepal will again blaze a new path: we will be fortunate to have two prime ministers. One will be Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, a doctor of philosophy from Jawaharlal Nehru University (India’s leading centre for the promotion of friendly and non-imperialistic relations with neighbouring countries), democratic socialist and the most brilliant ideologue for social harmony.

If the US State Department has its say and if the divorce between the two Congress factions can be declared null and void, the other perhaps will be Shri Sher Bahadur Deuba, social democrat and graduate of the London School of Economics & Political Science. The ministers will be those dedicated personalities, who after the unfinished business of Jan Andolan I – i.e. after 1990 – had an uphill task against the autocratic Shah Kings. In a selfless, uncorrupt and competent manner these men (and women) tried to achieve the democratic and development agenda, but they were blocked by the King’s men at every turn. Now thankfully, nothing can stop them!

Outside of the capital, our sympathetic and concerned Maoist brothers and sisters are actively engaged in development work, like the Hamas in Palestine and the Hizbollah in Lebanon. As part of the central government, the Maoists will, of course, have access to funds of our foreign donors, the remittances of our toiling masses from all over the globe, and the welfare fund of the regressive and feudal army (e.g.,it is not beneath the dignity of some generals to attempt bribing politicians for extension of tenure and promotions; but Caesar’s wife seems to be above suspicion).

Since the present government – which has to be tolerated for now because of tactical reasons – has not been able to mobilize domestic savings for development work, our far-sighted Maoist brothers (and sisters) have intensified their efforts to generate additional resources for urgent development activities. In past years, even during the repressive royal regime, the various autonomous regions under the control of the progressive Maoists were able to collect taxes/funds/donations against great odds – from locals and foreign tourists – towards these ends.

What had to be done clandestinely before because of possible reprisals from the fascist security forces, can now be done openly under their very eyes and the full support of the local populace – now even in the hitherto restricted area of Khumbu. The foreign tourists are fully supportive and hail the Maoist initiative. The paltry sums of US$ 100 and above per person are peanuts. Such is their enthusiasm for the Maoist commitment, that they have promised, not only to come again soonest, but also to animate their friends and relatives!

The only hindrance for achieving a new political and social order seems to be the institution of monarchy. The Supreme Leader and Helmsman has already indicated to PM Girija that its immediate abolition would also lead to instant solution of all outstanding problems. The Maoist Army has already liberated the countryside and stalemated the feudal, erstwhile Royal Nepalese Army, which for nearly ten years shamelessly oppressed the people. Now this King’s army must be thoroughly purged, if not disbanded – for ‘bad people don’t stop doing bad things’. The grand 7+1 alliance is very close to achieving this noble purpose in the interests of our nation.

Thus the moral of our present state of affairs: “All that is needed for evil to triumph, is for good people to do nothing.”

The writer can be reached at: [email protected]

Shashi P.B.B. Malla writes incisive political opinion about the politics and politicians of Nepal. He sometimes writes with fellow contributor, Chandra Bahadur Parbate.

Educated in Darjeeling, India, with a certificate from Cambridge University, he went to College and university in Calcutta: I. Sc./St. Xavier’s, B.A. (Hons.)/ Presidency, M.A. (International Relations)/Jadavpur, India. He was Assistant Editor: The Rising Nepal, Kathmandu.

He is or was the Country Representative, DAV Summit Club, Munich (Germany’s leading adventure tour operators in mountaineering and trekking)

He is a Senior Lecturer, Conflict, Peace and Development Studies, Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu