Found an interesting article and comments, you will probably like to read.
Friday, June 16th, 2006
Contributed by Rudroneel Ghosh
It is a fact that Nepal has seen some tough times recently, it is a fact that there might be tough times ahead for the Nepalese people and it is a fact that India being such an old friend cannot leave Nepal at sea. But what is the solution for New Delhi to this tiny, ancient fortress of Hinduism, which in recent times has taken the form of that hair tearing jigsaw puzzle that we all failed to solve as toddlers.
With the recent visit of the Nepalese Prime Minister, Girija Koirala, to New Delhi one thing is but certain that India will continue to be a friend of the Nepalese people. And it couldn’t have been said more emphatically than by promising assistance worth Rs.1000 crore. But what about the Maoist issue? How serious is this threat? And more importantly how should India react? Questions India needs answers to in the face of Nepal potentially becoming a Maoist stronghold.
Many solutions have been suggested, ranging from direct intervention by India in Nepalese domestic affairs to an outright takeover of a shaky, fragile constitutional monarchy, none of which seem too conclusive. Let us look a little deeper into the Maoist factor. In the recent years the Maoists have gained tremendous support, especially in rural Nepal and like the Maoists in our own country they too have been marginalized by the government and in Nepal’s case by the beloved King. This has provoked the Maoists to take up arms as a part of their struggle against the establishment. And therein lies the problem. Maoists are quick to take to guns because it is somewhat part of their ideology. But violence only begets violence and the Maoists know it too. The only reason they are forced to stick to their guns is because of the lack of a proper hearing on part of the establishment. Maoists traditionally have had a huge support base among the rural poor seeking equality and they continue to do so. Maoists find support in Nepal and many places in India not because it is the designs of a cancerous organization but because many rural poor are genuinely attracted towards their ideology, something that the establishment has failed to recognize. The only way to solve the Maoist problem is through fair and open dialogue and by bringing the rebel Maoists into the mainstream.
Critics of the dialogue solution might have reservations about bringing the Maoists into mainstream for the fear of a Maoist takeover of Nepal but this doesn’t really hold water. If the Maoists do take over Nepal it is ridiculous to believe that it would be because of a handful of radical Maoists who want to make the world communist. If Nepal does go the Maoist way then it will be because of the people, since the Maoist ideology will never survive without the support of the masses. As long as the Maoists do not have majority support of the masses, it is difficult to perceive how Nepal will ever become a Maoist state by force.
Finally, let us explore the dark possibility that Nepal does fall into the clutches of a Maoist regime. How does India react? Well to be fairly honest the more prudent question would be, does India need to react at all? Even if the Maoists do come to power, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to implement their policies for the fear of being isolated. India, being its most influential neighbour, will certainly not encourage it and that leaves only a liberal-by-the -minute China to look up to. Hence, a Maoist government wouldn’t survive and would be forced to liberalize, which isn’t bad for India.
What Nepal needs from India is support and solidarity, not unfounded suspicions of a radical Maoist takeover. Nepal has always looked towards India as its big brother, let us not betray that trust. Trying to take over Nepal and making it a part of India would be simply catastrophic for both the nations. Since the ancient times Nepal has always had a unique identity of its own. The Nepalese people would find themselves utterly betrayed if India tries something so ridiculous and downright stupid. The chaos that it will cause will simply play into the hands of the Chinese who will not think twice before taking advantage of such a situation.
India still has the upper hand in Nepal, let us support our Nepalese brothers in rebuilding their homes and bringing peace back to their lives. But let us not be arrogant and take Nepal for granted for it has the potential of becoming our own personal Pandora’s box.
Please Note: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the contributor and do not reflect those of the India eNews.
And comments:
3 Comments - 1. Pashupatinath | June 18th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
- Mr. Gosh’s sole aim is to counter Mr. Biswas article “Time to consider Nepal’s merger with India.” Mr., Gosh falsely believes in mass support for Maoist in Nepal but adds “what Nepal needs from India is support and solidarity, not unfounded suspicions of a radical Maoist takeover.” Mr. Gosh naiveté is quiet alarming when he writes sentences such as this one “… Maoist ideology will never survive without the support of the masses.” So you believe that Maoist has same appeal as Democratic or democrats and have similar same ways and means for mass support? I fully disagree with you on this just because history has proved otherwise.
Now the question of India and its role towards Nepal. Should it just sit quite, show solidarity and support or do the necessary. My opinion will be on the latter. India will be first one to feel the burnt of Maoist hold in Nepal- the effect will run from Tripati to Assam. I may sound pessimistic and little on the right but I see no other way. After going through their manifestos and their working relationship with CAMPOSA and *** organization- it is crystal clear to me that their real intent is to make Nepal a model communist state in this region whereby the communism is perpetuated. After India’s PM statement that ” Maoist are the biggest threat to national security,” rather than abetting with just Support and Solidarity, the major focus and action should be in containing it.
The misconception of Maoist movement is this: they are the champion of rural poor, marginalized, and caste discrimination. They are not, in fact they are the ones who exploit this situation and people in order to garner support and solidarity to start arms revolt at the expense of these very same people. Yes, rural poor and marginalized are forced to take arms on a false belief of “utopia” which never comes, except in a coffin to their loved ones. I also agree government must in earnest facilitate development activities and act of empowerment to these areas and people and it is happening but it is delayed due to system and inadequacies- this needs to be corrected. The effort must be in making everyone inclusive- our part of the world, its a learning process but it is happening. But the maoist are exploiting this delayed response and inadequacies in order to create a radical change at the expense of nation and its welfare. If Maoist take-over, they will set precedent by enacting policies and laws that will reverberate in this whole region.Mostly it will be populist but the ramification will be far reaching and radical whereby the effects will be felt in social, political and economical aspects.
Maoist take over is not assumed in Nepal anymore, it is slowly taking a shape of reality. And also lets not give credibility to them by saying that they have the mass support, they do not. India can least afford to sit back and let the Maoist run its course, it will be too late and price too dear. So I call upon brethren in India to act in insuring mutual benefits, age-old relation based on mutual respect, and in the better interest of both the nations. - 2. Rudroneel - India eNews | June 19th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Mr.Pashupatinath, you seem to be suffering from an acute case of Maoist phobia.Have comfort in the fact that you are not alone and there are many like you and that is part of the problem. Thoughts like yours are tremendously dangerous and should be corrected immediately. Sir, think about what your are saying, you actually want India to take over Nepal by force. Sir, first of all do you actually believe that the Nepalese people want that? Have you asked them that? You thoughts are simply self-centred and India-centric. It is good to be nationalistic but extremely ill advised to do so at the cost of others and histroy has proved THAT. Your thoughts are extremely American in nature. Are you suggesting that we follow in their footsteps and become a mini-america in this region? Sir, think before you say something like this. Trying to take over Nepal will only create trouble for India and nobody else.First of all it will break the age old trust that the Nepalese people share with us. They never wanted to be a part of India and never will. They have their own separate identity different from ours. They will not take this lying down. Secondly, in doing so India will be in breech of so many international conventions that it is party too and has uphold ever since its independence. This will surely not find favour with the international community. Thirdly, it will be a serious blot on our image in the international community.India has always been traditianally regarded as a peaceful nation which respects the integrity of all its neighbours. We have never been guilty of undermining that.That is why we are respected by the world community and that is why Indians are welcomed the world over and our diaspora is doing so well. Do you seriously want to risk that image of ours which has been respected the world over? And lastly do you think that China will just sit quietly while we do all this? Don’t you think that you will simply be playing into the hands to the Maoists if India takes such measures. Infact China will take this opportunity to declare their full support for the Maoists and back them to form an all Maoist government in Nepal which hasn’t happened so far with maoist leaders willing to enter mainstream competitive politics. Trying to annex Nepal will ruin all the good work and actually give you a communist Nepal government, the very thing you dread.Plus India will never be succesful at achieving this because as soon as it tries and china gets involved the international community, The U.N and the Americanss will get involved and tell India to back off. This is a sureity since a conflict involving India and China will be taken seriously by everyone.
Lastly, believe it or not Maoists do survive on popular local support, every ideology does. If you read my article carefully what I said was that right now they don’t have majority support in nepal but do have substantial local support, thats why they can’t form an all Maoist government at the moment and it is unlikely that they will in the future, but one thing is for sure that you simply can’t ignore them, that much support they do have. If they do come to power then it will have to be with majority support and even if they do get that in the near future it will be hard for them to implement their policies due to the fear of isolation, something you have conviniently chose to ignore. - 3. Pashupatinath | June 20th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Dear Rudroneel,
You are right in saying that I have Maoist phobia, if you were living, earning your livelihood and had a family in Nepal you would be saying the same thing. As for your reaction that I am urging India to Annex or militararily intervene, you are mistaken. All I want is a total rebuff by India to Maoist. FYI, Maoist have safe haven in India, agreements are signed & deals are dried in India- are you aware of this? And lets not act innocent as India not acting a America in this region, check the history from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka and Nepal.
What you call Maoist have “local Support” is in fact a “forced Support.” The difference is whereas political parties earn support these people are getting support from the barrel of a gun. Do accept the difference. As for not being able ignore Maoist anymore, you are right but I differ on the ways to tackle it and I also do not want to give credibility where it is not due. If you think Kashmiri’s self determination (Autonomy) fight is just then I have no argument with you.
You talk about fear of isolation if Maoist come to power in Nepal, let me tell you that is what they are after anyway. Do study their manifesto to understand them better or actually make a visit to their controlled areas to learn about “local support” which you talk about and brutal rule they have. Its easy to theorize from a far, may be you will change they way you look once you are embedded with happening in Nepal under Maoist controlled areas.
I am for one believe that India support in corralling Maoist in Nepal is vital but this should not imply as urging India to intervene militararily or annexing Nepal into India. I am not prepared to sell my country at any cost but help in need is help indeed by India at this time of uncertainty for Nepal
Source:
http://indiaenews.com/2006-06/11585-...-or-maoist.htm