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Monarchy Replaced by Anarchy

By Bishal Shah

Frustration, fear and pessimism have replaced the traditional characteristics in contemporary Nepal. The big rhetoric prior to the imposition of the Republic, used to pacify the growing frustrations that flared up after the government of Girija Prasad Koirala-led government of 2006, failed to match the people's expectations, and now anarchy is rampant.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal's Maoist-led government did nothing to lessen the pain of the people. The CA appointed PM Madhav Nepal is not expected to deliver the best for the people or the country. Many people say Girija Prasad Koirala's greed was solely responsible for today's mess. Had not GP Koirala showed excessive greed at the cost of democracy and the nation, today's mess and uncertainties would have never taken place.

Today, there is a complete absence of peace in Nepal. The fires of ethnic division created by the Maoists are increasing. Dozens of armed ethnic groups are engaged in violence, intimidation, torture, kidnapping, coercion, and killing. Anyone who rejects extortion invites harassment and often becomes the victim of human rights violations.

Rampant joblessness among the youth, a crumbling economy, rising commodity prices, a weakening of nationalism - all contribute to the sorry state of the nation. The current government seems to have nothing at its disposal except prolonging its life with the use of hollow rhetoric that is never put into practice.

The centuries old unity of Nepal has been shaken. The people's dream of a 'Zone of Peace' has been replaced by complete anarchy. The people dreamed of having peace, development and happiness. They wished for a 'New Nepal' where the different cultures and traditions, and all ethnic groups could live together harmoniously.

Instead, Nepal has fallen prey to ethnic division prompted out of ethnic federalism. It is the result of the Maoists' encouragement, and now the struggles between different ethnic groups are on the increase. The ridiculous demand of dividing the nation along ethnic lines is about to push the nation where it was before the Great King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the nation.

There are very few nations where human rights have been violated like in Nepal. The members of the Maoist party and its affiliates - YCL and PLA and the different ethnic groups in the terai are a reminder of the crimes committed by the communist regimes of Stalin, Pol Pot, and the crimes committed by Saddam Hussein, who used nerve-gas to execute his own nationals.

From babies to seniors and from priests to the disabled - all have become victims of the Maoist violence and today people are becoming victims of Maoists and violent ethnic groups. Whenever any tragedy happens, the government pays lip-service to it and does nothing.

This behavior of the government encourages the criminals, who are openly executing their plans. Maoist intimidation, extortion, and threatening of opponents through it's affiliates is rapidly spreading. Many Nepalese say they have given up hope for the new constitution.

In the name of ethnic awakening, fighting between ethnic groups is pushing Nepal towards destruction. The Maoists encouraged this ethnic division as part of their strategy to reach the helm of the power.

Other ethnic groups are now following in Maoist footsteps, dragging the nation closer to civil strife. Anarchy now rules Nepal, a situation that was never seen during the reign of the Monarchy.

Bishal Shah is Chairman of the Nepali Nationalists Organization 'NNO', USA.