Editorial»
Sociology of peace talks
NOV 14 - A colleague of mine asked me: “Why the hell are the political parties making noise on the failed peace talks? And why aren’t they blaming themselves for the failure?
I was surprised with the utter seriousness in her questions because she was least known for any seriousness.
“Well, it is like this,” I tried to lighten up her seriousness, “If a nakkali (beautiful girl) runs away with a jhilke (roadside Romeo), naturally there will be sharp reactions in the locality, especially the other leftover roadside Romeos. They are likely to sing tragic songs. Some of them may try to quell their grief with extra drinks apart from the regular quota. Some may challenge the jhilke for fight to death while others may try to question the character of the nakkali. And some may, blame the parents of the nakkali. Ironically, the world is so cruel that there are very few to bless the jhilke and the nakkali, saying-“May you live happily ever after!”
“Oh I see!” She threw a meaningful look at me in appreciation of my deliberations.
“Could you tell me about the three commandments of the Maoists. The roundtable conference, interim government and constituent assembly?” This time the young lady is trying to be mature.
“Yes, of course!” I was almost on the cloud nine, for she valued my intellect.
“All over the world there is a system of dowry (of sorts) in marriage. Especially, the fever of dowry is a bit higher in South Asian countries. In the Terai plains, boy’s family asks dowry whereas in hills it is the girl’s family that claims dowry. Anyway, dowry is after all a dowry. No matter, how much the social workers denounced dowry, they make tall claim for dowry at the time of marriage. Dr Baburam was no exception. He made tall claims of the three known dowry items—roundtable, interim government and constituent assembly.”
“Tell me, why everybody wanted to take part in the roundtable conference before the talks began? And, whey they backed out after the failure of talks?” I felt happy to see her asking questions like an obedient student.
“It is very simple. When a feast is arranged to give social recognition to a relationship, everyone in the locality wished to be invited. If someone is left out, he or she will not be ready to recognise the relationship. Rather s/he would be vocal of relationship as illegitimate.
“And there is one more thing to be noted which is also a part of our society. This applies sometimes in the arranged marriage. There are cases of bride running away with some other guys while the groom arrives at her doorsteps along with a procession. Same thing happened in Hapure. Talks failed in Hapure after the negotiating parties noticed that the bride had already disappeared with someone else.”
“And whom do you blame for whisking away the bride?”
“Of course, the blame does not go to the negotiating parties alone, although they have chosen to blame each other for the fateful event. There are basically three elements that are responsible: Firstly, the five self-proclaimed street Romeos who made all noises in the name of protest. In fact, they are the ones who malnourished infant democracy and mistreated the people. Secondly, the neighbours who played hide and seek during the talks tilting the balance as per their own convenience. Thirdly, the pundits who pronounced wrong mantras on the occasion.”
“Who are the pundits by the way?”
“Come on, my dear young lady! Who else could be the greatest pundits than the so-called intellectuals and journalists?”
“Are you also a Maoist, I mean a Maoist supporter” At last, she was talking like a professional journalist, as if I had just come out of underground politics.
“Look, no professional journalist can be a supporter of any political party and no party cadre can be a professional journalist. I want you to know that I belong to a category of professional journalists. But there are hybrid journalists too! They are the ones who created confusion among the masses. Otherwise, the people of Nepalgunj celebrated the talks as if they were celebrating Dashain and Tihar.”
“Yes, but what next?” The lady inhaled a long breath.
I wish answering this question were as easy and fulfilling as taking a deep breath.Posted on: 2003-11-13 08:57
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