Dr Chandrakala: A Nation of April Fools

I had stopped writing disgusted at the gullibility of the so called articulate Nepalese class, the double standards as demonstrated by the lack of great concern at the death of more people in one day (including women) in Gaur than during the whole of the so called Jan Andolan and the approach of the international media who had all converged into Nepal as vultures and carrion eaters circling over a dying animal at that time, and now where are they.

Reminds me of our great playwright Balkrishna Sama when he writes, " Why do you want to light my pyre with the fire in my mouth, look, son! I am not dead yet.

However, many readers sent e-mails and through different mechanisms reminded me that I had stopped writing. So I thought, even if a small section of the Nepalese both home and abroad are interested in reading about my frustrations, I would comply. Again Balkrishna Sama " If I die and with one pint of my blood spilled it should result in a small patch of green in my motherland I would be content.

Anyway, I restart. I believe we are a nation of April Fools. Till March 31st, there was breakdown of talks among the eight parties. DPM Amik Sherchan was fuming that he wasn't consulted. But more important, the fight for seniority as to who would be No. 2 behind the ailing PM became a very serious issue and UML had a Central Committee meeting and firmly declared that if Sahana Pradhan was denied the second position in the hierarchy, UML would not be part of the interim government. Come April Fools' Day, everything is okay.

On the same day PM goes to attend SAARC Summit to pass a resolution against terrorism as the main agenda, with terrorists in his Cabinet. These terrorists were declared such by many countries including India with Red Corner notices by Interpol. What a joke?

On the same day the Cabinet decides that the Constitution Assembly elections would be held on Ashad 6th (June 20th) when it is clearly stated in the Interim Constitution that Constituent Assembly polls would be held within the month of Jestha (Mar 15 – June 14), (as pointed out by Narayan Man Bijukchchhe, the Chairman of the Nepal Peasants and Workers Party). Anyway, what miracle is the government going to achieve in 6 days more of Ashad which they haven't been able to achieve by the end of Jestha which was declared 10 months back. Moreover, the National Election Commission hasn't been told far less consulted in this decision. And do the people know what is involved in Constituent Assembly polls? At least I am not clear, how it works out. Are they going to pull rabbits out of their hat? Anyway, what does it mean to say anyhow or somehow it has to be done. Why, for what purpose, if the exercise is not clearly comprehended by those who have to express their choices through that effort?

On April 2nd, the Home Minister says nobody would be allowed to walk with weapons anymore as if till that day it was acceptable legally and nobody would be allowed personal bodyguards including the Maoist leaders. Those who have been practicing the above are his colleagues in the Cabinet and their leaders and co-workers. But the Home Minister is now firm and he is an honourable man. But let's wait and see. Of all the districts, Kalikot is the scene of clashes between Maoists disturbing the district meetings and subsequent curfew on April 2nd. I wonder whether that is a good portent.

Sadly, the political parties haven't understood that through the Jana Andolan the people wanted democracy to be stronger not the political parties or their leaders (and their family members too.)

Finally, Winter is gone, Spring is in the air. You can hear the cuckoo. May be it is time for another Spring Awakening. Wake up my dear April Fools, before it is too late.

ENDS

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