Editorial»
Politics through destruction
JAN 17 - It is the duty of any government to denounce vandalism, destruction and violence of any nature or magnitude. The government headed by Surya Bahadur Thapa is no exception in criticising the way of the agitating students and their umbrella political parties.
Not many people recall the past days of the Panhayati era, when the very rare Nepal bandhs were called for in the capital valley. This was a replication of the common mode in India’s Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states. The valley people felt panic with the call of such innovative measures. The Panchayati administration, of course, with the help of this very police force, in those days, used brutal force to quell the political agitation. Sajha and trolley buses did not stop plying on the roads, though heavily guarded by the police.
Fight for democracy on the concluding day, before the then King generously lifted the decades long ban on party activities, heightened and took a violent turn that took the lives of a few innocent people. Then restored the much-loved democracy and the Nepali Congress for the second time in Nepal’s democratic politics happened to rule the country from Singhadurbar. UML emerged the second largest party in the parliament.
The parties and specifically the cadres had great expectations out of the newly restored multiparty system. But, it was a sort of “winners take all” system of governance. The winner in the general elections was the NC party. UML was a big section within the parliament. But it was not a ruling party. Rather it was the main opposition party. Expectations were necessarily high on the part of UML also. But with the benevolent Girija Prasad Koirala on the helms of the state affairs, the high shouting UML’s were nowhere in the power game.
UML within no time went to the streets shouting slogans asking for the resignation of Koirala. Koirala turned a deaf ear to the street protests. Then the UML cadres began to destroy the pavements, dismantle the railings, and destroy telephone cabinets.
The government was, as usual, against the vandalism. In the aftermath, vandalism became the main course of action of any political party, whilst out or away from Singhadurbar.The Maoists fine-tuned the way of UML’s. They not only tried here and there, but blasted hydro powerhouses leaving the countryside in permanent dark. Dozens of telecom towers became their symbolic state enemies. The cost of destruction of infrastructures caused by the Maoists, until now, has crossed a billion rupee mark.
Once UML was in power at Singhadurbar. It was more than once in the government. Vandalism and destruction was not ‘the cup of tea’ for UML while in power. It also issued traditional advisory directives calling for only peaceful demonstrations and non- violent ways.
Every Prime Minister in the last 14 years of democratic exercise has called for peaceful means of opposition. But, every party in the streets has ever opted to destroy the national property and the government vehicles that were out of the reach of the opposition factions.
Why does it happen like this? Because non- violence is no more a catchword for any political party. Many of the agitators opine that it is only violence that shakes the power chairs. The government does not have ‘attentive ears’ to listen to the peaceful slogans. Violence has dominated all other activities within the Nepali society. How can non- violence be used? Hence, all have to opt for stones, pellets and brickbats that compel the government machinery, at least, to witness while passing through the streets to and from Baluwatar and Singhadurbar.
When will this vandalistic technique be replaced? Perhaps, not in the near future. But, there is still one way. Violence and vandalism will stop only when UML declares that it will never, either in power or out, adopt destructive measures. And similarly, NC will have to declare the same. And most importantly the Maoists also.Posted on: 2004-01-18 02:52
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