Nepal: Strong enough but flexible also

As predicted by the paper a year back or so, conflicts in no way could be uprooted from the society for good. It is because the society in itself s a dynamic entity, which makes the society to go in for bringing out the pains and the conservative ideas to the fore and demands a redressed from the state. It is dynamism of the society, if given a real attention by the ruling elites that ushers in development. However, the conflict must be guided by the mood of a positive change in order to bring about a substantial reform in the existing patterns of the society and thereby facilitating all the segments of the society to develop. Nevertheless, the state must provide ample opportunities to the underprivileged, the oppressed, the dalits, the women folks and the likes so that they could feel that they too have become a part and parcel of the nation-state. Unless this is done so, the society which appears to be calm on the surface might erupt like a volcano and this is what exactly have been the case with Nepal’s Terai or Madhesh.

No health clinic, no schools, no potable drinking water available, and above all the gross marginalization of the population from the decision making process of the state is apparently what has been concluded by those who have championed the Terai agitation. No wonder, if the people demand their rights to what was their due in every sense of the term.

While we understand the mental agony of the Terai agitators, yet we appeal them all not to toe the political line acquired by the Maoists not so in the distant past. The Teraians know fully well that creating terror and panic among the innocent population residing there would serve no purpose. If the Maoists who were and are still dubbed as terrorists by some countries too have had to come to the negotiating table abandoning the path of violence and killings and look the wonder they have already become a part of the interim government.

Dialogue in an amicable manner is what the need of the hour is. The government which considers Home Minister Sitaula as an indispensable person must not tease the Teraians further. Sitaula’s head is fall short of what the pains the Teraians have been facing now. Sitaula is a non-entity as compared to the Himalayan grievances of the people residing in the entire Terai belt of this country. Sitaula’s ouster if can provide a solution then what is the harm?

However, that is not forthcoming which further means that the government in Kathmandu under Koirala wants to dilly-dally the Terai issue for reasons best known to the power corridors in Kathmandu. But be sure, any further trick or ploy to undermine the Terai message would be a costlier one not even imagined by some seated in the Sigh Durbar.

Having said this much, we appeal the Terai agitators to cool down and not aggravate the situation further. What we understand is that such repeated and unwarranted closures of districts, high ways for long would ultimately hit the poor who constitute the majority in the Terai. What we also understand that in Terai, there live lacks of people who are daily wage earners. If they do not get job to what they are getting at the moment would mean no two meals a day for them. Look at the family members of the daily wage earners who count on their parents earning. What is such earning gets a break for long consecutive days and that too in series?

It would be in the best interest of the Terai agitators to come to Kathmandu and boldly push their grievances in front of the establishment. We presume that there is no quarrel that could not be sorted out through the effective means of dialogue.

Our attention has also been drawn to some media reports that suggest that the communal harmony that existed in between and among various sects and tribes residing in the Terai belt too is being shaken. This would not be a fair game. No body has the right to shatter this harmony. The communal harmony that we enjoyed in the past is, let it be known to all, is an asset of the nation. Let this asset be preserved for all time to come.

Now a word to the government as well. Act fast before it is too late. Listen to the real grievances of the people and address them if not whole, partially then that must convince the agitators. If they agree better. But take them into proper confidence and let them feel that they too were a part of the system of governance of the same soil.

Teraians by nature are non-violent people. And thus if they create terror and panic among the population become not only surprising but an unbelievable act. Let the nature and tradition of understanding the suffering of others that is overwhelmingly present in and among the Teraians prevail. Finally the victory is yours, and ours as well as we all constitute this nation-state.

Should we presume that the agitators would prefer to come to the table? Perhaps yes! We are confident in our evaluation of the Terai mindset. They are strong enough if need be. They are flexible too if the flexibility is in the larger interest of the population.

We appreciate that the government has invited the agitators to the table. The agitators too have positively responded to the government’s offer. Let’s hope that the Terai now becomes a safe place to live in harmony.

That’s all.

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