Nepali Times Approached a Division According to It’S Wrong
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#606 25 - 31 May 2012 16 pages Rs 30 Us Nepali fter four postponements in four years, the political parties got together and once more tried to buy more time by extending the CA’s term by A another three months. But the Supreme Court’s stay order on Thursday has abruptly and dramatically changed the scenario. Now, there is no alternative but to pass a new constitution by the existing deadline of Sunday midnight. Across the country, across all social strata, across ethnic and caste groups, citizens when asked, have serious misgivings about federalism by identity. The silent majority wants peace, justice and democracy, and is against stoking ethnic tensions for political gain. If our current crop of leaders had half the common sense that ordinary Nepalis show, we would not be in the mess we are in today. Sunir Pandey of Nepali Times approached a Division according to It’s wrong. We must live cross section of Nepalis to ask them what they thought of federalism: “ ethnicity will create new high- “ together with unity“ in an low categories“ of people. It undivided Nepal, not in will segregate us all and that’s ethnic states. “Instead of ethnic, the states should be “There are so many ethnicities that the not good. country will fragment into tiny named after temples, cultures etc and Kabita Poudel, Jenisha Maharjan, only then would these confl icts and countries.” Tanahu, Student Kathmandu, Student struggles end.” Devesh Pokhrel, Palpa, Kitchen worker Sumita Joshi, Darchula, Student “It is wrong, it will bring ethnic wars.” “I don’t agree with it. It’s not good for us.” Sagar Shrestha, Nuwakot, Cook Aishwarya Rayamajhi,Sarlahi, Student “I don’t like it.” “Ethnic federalism will fracture the Sagar Lama, Nuwakot, Rickshaw puller country and invite confl ict and civil war. Who knows, we may need passports to “Federal states are all right, but they travel from one state to another.” should not be on the basis of ethnicity.” Samir Shrestha, Sarlahi, Armed Police Force Sudhir Karki, Kathmandu, Student “I hope it doesn’t happen like that. Every “It might be the only way: the struggle for group has different demands - they won’t equality is long and hard.” be satisfi ed and confl ict will arise.” Laldhoj Lama, Kabhre, Goat-herder Jeni Ojha, Pokhara, Nurse “It will create misunderstanding, ALL PICS: SUNIR PANDEY “We need stage-wise development for there will be little to agree about and “ minorities, but this is the wrong way to do plenty to fi ght – not good for the country.” It will bring confl icts between ethnic groups. It may turn it and will only bring violence.” Abu Bakar, Kathmandu, Trader “ out like India-Pakistan partition. Susmita Limbu, Kathmandu, Nurse “Right, wrong, good, bad, none of it will Puja Gurung and Prabina Limbu, Dharan, Students “Talking about ethnicity will only bring bring anything good for people like us violence, and confl icts of all sorts.There working on daily wages.” are only two types of people: male and Rudra Magar, Dolakha – Labourer female.” Rajendra Sahi, Kathmandu, Butcher “Ethnic federalism will segregate the population and create tension among “There are so many ethnicities that don’t Nepalis who have lived in harmony for have a majority population, our priority ages and spread distrust.” must be to include minorities.” Drona Koirala, Jhapa, Student Lalan Bachhar, Sarlahi, Civil service aspirant “It will create confl ict, and put Nepal back “There are over 100 ethnicities in Nepal hundreds of years.” and I also don’t even agree with the One Niraj Magar, Jhapa, +2 Student Madhes demand.” Rupesh Shah, Bara, Jobless “Making ethnic divisions and confl ict feels wrong.” “Ethnic division is not a good thing, one Apsara Acharya, Kabhre, Tailor undivided country is better.” “ Nandakishor Shah, Rautahat, Jobless “If ethnic divisions take place, everyone Because of ethnic division, I think division on the basis will live separately, there will be “ each group will be the enemy“ “ of ethnicities is wrong. “We must do federalism according infi ghting.” of the other, meaning more to geography and not according to Bikram Shrestha, Banepa, Electronics shop violence and confl ict. Sunil BK, Pokhara, Student ethnicities.” Khina Dhakal, Jhapa, Student More on page 13 Rohit Magar, Hetauda, Trader 2 EDITORIAL 25 - 31 MAY 2012 #606 HARM REDUCTION fter four postponements in four years, the political Early British residents posted by the East India parties got together and once more tried to buy more Company in Kathmandu in the 19th century marvelled Atime by extending the CA’s term by another three at the inability of Nepal’s rulers to see what was in their months. But the Supreme Court's stay order on Thursday own self-interest. Not much has changed. Both sides of has abruptly and dramatically changed the scenario. the ethnic federalism debate are in a state of denial. Now, there is no alternative but to come up with a new The post 1990 neo-elite ruling class refuses to see just constitution by the existing deadline of Sunday midnight. how ethno-centric and caste-dominated the composition If there is no more politicking, no more wheeling of the current leadership of their parties is. Why are they dealing, and no more short-term bargaining for power surprised that even moderate Janajati leaders have united in exchange for provisions of the new constitution, it across party lines to form a caucus to protest exclusion? will still be possible to meet the deadline. But the party Any attempt to point out this lopsidedness is taken as an leadership will have to work night and day, fine-tuning attempt to divide up the country. And on the other side a draft constitution along the lines of agreements already are activists who have no qualms about using identity made and give it a finishing touch as they go along. The politics and taking the country to the brink by carrying BIKRAM RAI 2 May pact between the four main political forces where out a dangerous experiment in slicing up Nepal into they agreed on compromises on the two contentious The Supreme Court deadline has left no choice ethnic bantustans. issues of state structure and form of governance lays the for the parties but to work night and day, fine- Neither side is listening to the people. In this edition groundwork for the constitution, tuning the draft along the lines of agreements of Nepali Times we have talked to people across the However flawed, the 11-state model and a mixed and declaring the constitution on 27 May. country, across social strata, across ethnic and caste system of governance were the best compromises the divides, and they all have deep misgivings about parties could reach. It is unlikely that they can come up structural damage to the nation’s body politic. federalism by identity. The silent majority wants peace, with anything better in the next two days. It is not the But if mindsets don’t change, having a relatively good justice and democracy, and is against stoking ethnic best way to do it, but it could be worse. Constitutional constitution or a relatively bad constitution will make tensions for political gain. But in this country when was law experts say that there is now a legal imperative to no difference at all. As we know from the previous 1992 it ever about what the people want? If our current crop of have closure on the constitution by the stipulated date. exercise, the constitution is only as good as the people leaders had half the common sense that ordinary Nepalis The alternative is a referendum, an immediate election, who implement them. show, we would not be in the mess we are in today. or the declaration of a state of emergency to fill the void. No matter which side of the divide you are on, it The brinkmanship of the past month must now yield There are challenges, but also opportunities now has been clear for some time now that issues like state to saner politics. The only thing we can do is to put to leapfrog on the constitution. This is not to minimise structure and form of governance cannot be decided at some harm reduction measures in place: come up with a the dangers of extreme identity-laced politics that has a time of volatile politics. In the past months we have workable constitution on 27 May, work towards patching characterised the last year. There is still the danger witnessed politicians negotiating long-term provisions in up the country’s frayed social fabric, keep channels of that we will be passing a faulty constitution that will the new constitution on the basis of immediate gain in communications open and protect open society and make everyone violently unhappy and create long-term the power dynamics of government. ethnic harmony in the coming days. ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com DAMAGE CONTROL on political parties and as our elected and men. leaders. Also if the Nepali people elect POVERTY TO PLENTY This is an extremely well-balanced and representatives they have to care about Salil Dahal as the next president, then we The story of Begum Bahadur Shahi sensible editorial (‘Damage control our needs and forgo their narrow self- will have to simply accept it. Yes, 50 is very touching and provides an mode’, #605). The country can’t afford interests and egos for the greater good of Thank you Rubeena for conveying per cent of Nepalis are illiterate and inspiration for young Nepalis who to go down the path of dictatorship the nation.