Nepal: State Army has senior Madhesi battalion even today

Keshar Bahadur Bhandari

Retired Army General, Nepal

Q1: How have you observed the Nepal government fresh cabinet decision which decided to include some three thousand Madhesi youths in the Nepal Army institution at a single stretch?

Mr. Bhandari: As I see to it, the decision may have been taken all of a sudden keeping into account its own petty interests at the center. The decision may have also come to exploit the opportune moment in one’s own political favor. This decision may benefit the Madhesh based parties and for the political future of the parties now ruling the government, however, it could not be at all in the larger interest of the nation and its people.

Q2: If the Maoists could be integrated into the mainstream army then why not the Nepali Madhesi youths?

Mr. Bhandari: The environment and the raison d’être for the Maoists Militia integration into the national army is bit different. The context is entirely dissimilar. When you include the Madhesi youths into the national army, it is nothing more than making the army institution an inclusive one. Mind it that “integration” and inclusiveness” were two divergent words having differing connotations. The subject matter in itself is a different one. In order to make the State an inclusive one, definitely the Madhesis should be included in all the sectors of the State. I do agree. But there are set standards even on making it an inclusive one. One should also take into account as to how many years we will take to make the institutions an inclusive one? When we talk of inclusion, not only the Madhesis were eligible for such an inclusion. We have so many groups and Janjatis who would demand their inclusion by forwarding similar proposals. We have also to carry them along with the Madhesis. For the country, each and every citizen is equal. Isn’t it that?

Q3: So what you think of the overall impact on the nation that it may have if some ethnic tribes, communities and groups were made to enter into the Nepal Army institution such as the one being provided to the Nepali Madhesi youths?

Mr. Bhandari: Not only in the institution of the Nepal Army but such practices will have its impact on the entire nation? If you take a particular community in this manner then what to do with the other similar communities and their demands? These groups or say the communities may not observe silence. The Tharu community has already raised its concerns and has demanded the same treatment from the State for their society. Let’s fairly presume that other communities too will come and push forward and make similar propositions. Can we accommodate them all? Not at all. That’s why it is not necessary and urgent to include the Madhesis in the National Army institution. I don’t think it to be an urgent affair. To make the State an inclusive one, including the Madhesis, we have one formula which could be brought into practice. But political prejudice of this sort which is threat loaded and eventually is even to pull down the government appears like a political blackmail. One must refrain from acting under the spell of such spirits.

Q4: Is it to play politics being within the institution of the Army then?

Mr. Bhandari: I wouldn’t say that. At best they may have the desire to make their entrance into the mainstream army. But when you are inside, politics can’t be played. The Army has some sort of revulsion with politics. It doesn’t like one playing politics being inside the Institution. It may pose threats to the entire institution and may create difficulties of sorts sooner than later. Mind it that the Army alone can’t do anything. The Army functions under the decisions of the political leadership. But if all the political parties make their respective decisions then should we swell the numerical strength of the Army to four lakhs? (. 4 million). This is just impossible. While taking such grave decisions, one has to keep into account the overall interest of the nation. National interests must remain at the center while making such resolutions.

Q5: Don’t we have other viable options for the Madhesis and other communities other than the Nepal Army?

Mr. Bhandari: There may be several options. In some other sectors, we could have abundant suitable alternatives. They may have concluded that so many things could happen and they will feel elated while being inside the Army. Not so many people have proper knowledge of the Nepal Army institution. It is really very much difficult when one is inside the army. It is entirely different than being outside. The daily routine, army’s strict discipline and the shelter all are difficult than one could imagine. The problem lay with the State that it could not make the population to understand the very internal dynamics of the Nepal Army. But it is not necessary to get surprised when being inside the Institution. The Madhesis need not necessarily take the burdens and the responsibilities of the Madhes alone. The State is there very much to take care after all of them. It would be an act of injustice to other communities if only the Madhesi population is included into the Nepal Army. If things are taken in broader perspective then we can avoid conflict and easily avert the problems that may lie ahead. But if you begin thinking of personal interests then problems and problems will only be with us.

Q6: So what you think of the viable solutions to these emerging issues and problems?

Mr. Bhandari: At best what could be done now for the moment is that as per the present vacant positions in the Army, people from all the available and willing communities could be included in the Nepal Army through an inclusive model. This could include all the communities, indigenous people, and the Janjatis willing to join the Army. Such patterns should be followed even later. We should stick to this phenomenon. As per the quota system, over the years we can include all the sectors from our total population. After some years, the institution could well become an inclusive one. Let’s not dare to make it an inclusive at a single stretch. However, what is being tried at the moment is not that fair. This smells of selfishness.

Q7: Is it possible to constitute a separate battalion for the Madhesi population?

Mr. Bhandari: Why not? It is possible. We can make anything under the sun. Even as of today, the national army has a senior Madhesi battalion. But no battalion in the army as such exists which has been dominated by a particular community. Nepali population is a blend of various communities, races, religion and language. Will it be possible and thus desirable to make separate battalions for each ones? We should live in harmony with each other. In order to consolidate the national unity and that of the army as well, we should include all the communities in the army without any sort of discrimination. This will certainly enhance our unity amongst ourselves. To boot, the Nepal Army as such has no provision to include in its institution people belonging to a particular community. It is not possible at any cost.

The Bimarsha Weekly December 23, 2011. Thanks.

Post your Comment here

TERMS OF USE:The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any persons) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).