Monday, April 21, 2008

My suggestions to Upendra Yadav

Now MJF has emerged as a major force and it is going to work closely with the Maoist to create Federal Nepal. These two parties believed to be opposing forces by two ways -- first, MJF is believed to be Royalists and Maoist to be Republicans; second, MJF is Pro-India and Maoist Pro-China.

Well there are many arguments surrounding these hypotheses. They are unproved statements so I would prefer calling them hypothesis. Only time can tell whether these rumors are true or these parties are actually the developmental parties representing Nepali People.

I am up for both these players in the Nepali Political space. I think, they represent more or less the general public of current Nepal. They might not be supported for ideology or principle, but are believed more than others on their developmental agenda.
MJF coming before Sadbhawana by wide margin and Maoist getting almost double seats than NC and UML combined were both big surprises. But surprises for analysts and not for the frustrated Nepali mass. They knew, the old ones have nothing to deliver and they have to be removed from power.

Now, after all these things happened and Maoists are going to form the new government. There are few things MJF needs to understand. These are my suggestions to Upendra Yadav.

1. Do not ever play Pro-India gamble. India and China needs to be kept at equal distance politically which is the only way for Nepal gaining economic momentum.
2. MJF has not passed the Military test. Their revolution was not suppressed and this has created a sense in the party that they can get anything they ask for. This is simply not true. For any anti-National sentiment any future Nepali Government will bring the Army out of the barrack. So do not forget the limit.
3. India will never support any ethnic struggle in its neighborhood. It has always supported the Government whether its in Sri Lanka against Tamils or Bhutan against Nepalis.
It supported Hindus in Bangladesh and the result was more dangerous. The Hindus were butchered there and made to flee their home and India on its part remained just a spectator to save its international image.
So do not expect any help from India in any further ethnic war. Maoists, NC and UML will be better powers to gamble to establish a equal opportunity country.
4. Nepal has a very difficult land scape and keeping demands one Madesh and one Pahad can only lead to confrontation. This happens mainly because the Pahad will have very little access to the external market and good economic zone. So the only option remaining with the Pahadi community is to confront the Madhesis. This will do no good for anyone.
5. TDLP and MPRF are believed to have slogans like "This is our Madesh. You Pahade leave Madesh". These are anti-social activities. And you (MJF) will have to lower or silence such voices. Else Military action will be inevitable.
6. It should be understood by all that its about we Nepali people. Nepali meaning citizens of Nepal and not about Nepali, Bhojpuri or Maithili speaking people. This needs to be understood.
There are more Maithili, Bhojpuri and Maddhi speaking people in India than the population of Nepal. And so do Nepali speaking people. There should never be a race to shift the population ratio. If any of this thing starts, then we all can only be sorry for our future generations. They will have no choice but to flee their homeland for opportunities abroad. Thus creating a more pathetic Nepal.
7. Nepali Madesh (proposed state) will have access to Bihar and Bengal (and may be to UP also). This will be a great economic opportunity as these two states have very huge market and not so good investment climate. We can actually be the heart of Economic Activity in the whole of these Central North India.
The only thing needed to make this happen is to bring good economic policies and attract FDIs, both from India and overseas investors.
8. DO NOT QUESTION SOVEREIGNTY. I am very serious of this issue and all Nepalis are. There seems to be people like Paramendra Bhagat in MJF questioning the sovereignty of Lower Nepali Landscape. This I have seen in many of his posts in DFN blog. He often talks about forming a separate country or getting annexed with India. This can never happen. Not even with the help of India. China can counter balance India's involvement if ever it happens.
And looking at the History of India, it will never help the separatists. Modern India has many of its internal problems questioning the sovereignty. So it will always help anyone fighting to save it. Something for the good will and something for reciprocation.

--
I have given my views keeping in mind the best interest of the overall Nepali people from all castes and creed. If it hurts anyone's interests please write it to me, I will be happy to discuss with you regarding the same.

Comments!! Its always welcome!

5 Comments:

Anonymous said...

I am for a federal Nepal. Please do not misrepresent me.

Anonymous said...

Nice post ! Really.
Since Paramendra has himself clarified on one important issue, I would like to add two more things:

1. What is the logic behind single Madhesh state? Since there are voices from within the proposed single Madhesh (read recent issues of Nepalitimes and Himalkhabar) of separate states for them on grounds that under a single Madhesh, ethnic minorities (there are many caste and ethnic groups inside madhesh too) would again have no voice of their own.

2. Should Hindi really be promoted as a national language? Is Hindi our language or are Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi etc? I may be wrong but native-speakers of Hindi aren't in so large number in Nepal that it should be a national language instead of such widely spoken languages like Maithili. Promoting Hindi language will do no good to the aim of federal nepal, i.e. preserving native languages and their literature and culture. They may be sidelined, instead.

3. The voices like "drive pahadis out of madhesh" is irrational. Repeating mistakes (done by whoever. the rulers of the old system) doesn't solve problems, but creates new and more complex problems instead. Nepal should be a harmonious country, with many races of people co-existing with each other. Madhesh and non-madhesh provinces alike should have as much ethnic variety and equal opurtunities for all, as is possible.

4. I think en-masse reservation should be planned out carefully. Lets face it. The reality in Nepal has many faces. To some people, it might be based on ethnicity, to others on religion, and to others based on geography. Yadavs of Janakpur have far more exposure and opportunities than Bahuns/Chhetris of a hilly village in whatever part of Nepal. Similarly, a Kathmandu Newar may fall under one of the richest segments of the country, while a newar from bandipur may not. Gurungs and thakalis are one of the richest ethnic groups in Nepal. But they may not have the same influence when it comes to administrative power. Surely, reserving seats in educational scholarships to the richest of Gurungs in the name of indegenious groups while not letting a bahun from humla ever see a school in his lifetime is not democracy. This is aristrocracy. Can we have reservation system in business, army, british gurkha, foreign labour etc.? I am sure the answer will be NO. When people point out to the excesses done by Bahuns and Chhetris, they should be careful. Look at the alumni book of any foreign university you can: you will see more than 60-70% people will be from Kathmandu. OK, they are bahuns/chhetris alright, but the plight of an ordinary bahun dailekh is no better than that of a majhi in koshi river bank.

So, while talking of en-masse reservation, we have to have proper , rich and a very healthy discussion plus a wise planning.

Comments please. We need to discuss more.

Anonymous said...

Your post is beautifull but filled with lots of disinformation.

MJF and all other Madhesi Parties have been clearly misunderstood. These parties are only pro Madhesh that in turn is pro Nepal. I would like to point out the fact that our Media is very immature, the fact that Maoist and MJF coming in power, despite medias' anti-Mao and anti-MJF reporting proves it.

I would like to Focus on Madhesh for now.
Why is ONE MADHESH important?
Decentralization is what is needed in Nepal, desperately. We will be having Federal states.
So what are the plans of Government. how to divide Madhesh? There are many ethnic communities is Madhesh, how many states should there be? 5, 6 ...any number except 1 would mean a very unstable government with barely any resources to invest for prosperity and development. People in terai want one Madhesh for we could care for it more than any one else.
The past government have never paid any attention to this region (is probably true for the whole country), inspite of Organizations like World Bank, ADB talking very highly of this region.
Madhesh has the ability to be economic powerhouse of Nepal. Wouldn't it benefit the whole country!!

Policy making in Madhesh would be rapid, if Madhesh is one , which anyone will agree is very important for a dynamic economy.

One Madhesh is in Interest of whole country.

About the past incedents of Pahades being chased from Madhesh, If parties like MJF were not there there would be no Pahades in Terai now. It was the work of rebel groups like Tigers and Goits. MJF and other partied went against them and put Tigers and Goits on backfoot. If MJF and other parties were not there Goits would have come to power and Instead of a CA election there would be some other election going on now in Madhesh.

All madhesi parties that took part in the election are forces that binds Madhesh to Nepal....but contrary to what they have done they are being brandmarked as antinationalists, it is really funny, our immature media.....

Again being pro India, we are interested in Madhesh and anyone helping us would be our friends, may it be EU, USA, china, India or even Ethopia. Everyone in Madhesh knows the treaties between India and Nepal is anti-madhesh. We have had bitter experinces in the past and Nepal government is equally to blame as India. The insecurity that prevails in Terai due to Indian criminals is what the treaties between kathmandu and India brought to madhesh, we would like to revise and change it, for it matters most to us and we understand it better than anybody else.

rest later need to go now.....

Anonymous said...

Namaste Bhupendra Ji,
I went through some of your post and count me under your fans for i shall be visiting them regularly from now. I also love the phrase,"good things come in small packets"
I had to go in hurry, so some of my comments could look impolite but it was not my intention.

Again about MJF and other terai parties, i am not sure about others but MJF will never play the India card.The probable candidate is NC.
Be assured, I have personally met Upendra Yadav and he is totally against it. He is the reason why Madhesh andolan didnt go in Goits and Tigers hands.

I am really interested in "One Madhesh" i wrote a small post on my blog http://terai-news.com/wordpress/blog/

regarding this issue (I am really busy for my exams are going on so could not exactly elaborate what i meant.)

According to me we should have a single madhesh (seen economically), we will still be Nepal, the point you put forward
"Nepal has a very difficult land scape and keeping demands one Madesh and one Pahad can only lead to confrontation. This happens mainly because the Pahad will have very little access to the external market and good economic zone. So the only option remaining with the Pahadi community is to confront the Madhesis. This will do no good for anyone."(mylifenp@yahoo.com....please mail me and could you elaborate it)
is (don't get me wrong) homework not done.
"Do u think Goods from Pahad will be taxed, the rule that will apply to businessmen from madhesh will also apply to one from other part of the country.(if i have got that right)"

And some common mistakes that you are making are MJF is MPRF lead by upendra yadav, TMDP (terai madhesh democratic party)is TMLP (terai madhesh loktantrik party) led by Mahanta Thakur who actually lost in CA. The parties calling for a different Madhesh are Goits...they have probably two goits now(split)(not sure though)...other are Tigers, Cobras and many countless still, bombing cities in Terai.

Amit Shah

Bhupendra said...

Amit:
Thanks for the good Words. I agree with you in some way and see only minor differences.

I went through your blog and am really impressed with the article on one single madesh. Your voice and tone is simply great. But I am not able to buy the single Madesh concept.

Similar voices have failed in Sri Lanka, India (Kashmir) and Bhutan. All had good intentions but leading to close to division of country. So they had to fail and everybody except them went against them.

Hope something of this sort does not happen in Nepal.

Bhupendra

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