Nepal: Obstacles To The Maoists
Rajat KC
In May 25, cadres of Young Communist League (YCL), a youth wing of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) in Nepal, threw
stones at a United Nations (U.N.) vehicle, in which United States (U.S.) Ambassador for Nepal James F Moriarty was also
traveling. As per report a group of people headed by YCL coordinator of district level named, Prasant pelted stones at
the U.N. vehicle with the number plate (66-1-0077) in Jhapa district. They also chanted slogans and waved black flags
against the U.S. ambassador. Couple of months ago similar type of incident was took place when King Gyanendra was on his
way in capital city. In both the incidents Monarch and Moriarty escaped uninjured but the vehicles were minor damaged.
Moriarty and Monarchy are three main pillars in present context that create great obstacles to the Maoists in their
path to declare Nepal a communist state. The Maoists knows very well that as long as Monarchy exists in Nepal their
dream will not come true. On the other hand the United States at all cross will not compromise in democracy and freedom
by allowing the Maoists to declare one party totalitarian political system. Mainly due to these two reasons both the
institutions become biggest enemy of the Maoists in present context. Therefore, time and again they try to create
misunderstanding between Monarchy and Moriarty and some time target both directly.
Last year the Maoists publicized news that with the help of Army the Palace and US Embassy is plotting assassination
plan to killed Maoists Supremo Prachanda and Leader Baburam Bhattarai, which was later proved false propaganda. Such a
dirty propaganda was exposed by Comrade Rabindra Shrestha, a leader of rebel fraction of the Maoists. Again few months
ago Prachanda announced that the Palace is plotting another assassination plan to kill Kathmandu based US diplomats and
senior officials. On this baseless remark the Embassy challenged the Maoists leadership to present evidence if they
have, but they were failed to present any sort of evidence. This indicates the Maoists is masterminding negative
propaganda to create conspiracy to obtain their desired goals.
Nepalese Monarchy probably would not have imagined facing dilemma as they are facing now. Their contributions in nation
building are remarkable but it was overshadowed by the Maoists' sponsored propaganda staged in national and
international arena. The Maoists is able to launch propaganda against the Monarchy to degrade the latter's image and
popularity. Surprisingly, other political forces are also carrying same impression that makes people to believe all
fabricated negative propaganda about the Monarchy. The Maoists are destroying various historical monuments and statues
related to Monarchy that includes statue of the late King who is known as founder of the nation.
The Maoists gave false icon to international communities and Nepali people that they pretend to show their faith to
ongoing peace process. This gives impression that the peace process is moving towards right direction to establish peace
and democracy in Nepal. Most of the people believe that the Maoists have joined main stream politics of Nepal, however,
they do not know that the Maoists are using present platform as their launching pad to seize the power to declare Nepal
a communist model People's Republic.
The strategy of 'Prachanda Path' adopted by the Maoists is designed to make Nepal a communist state. This strategy
clearly spells out their desired objective with the vision to establish communist set up in the country. Bunch of
Maoists leadership at different level are openly expressing that they are fully committed on strategy adopted by the
Maoists leadership to make Nepal a Maoists (communist) state. Unless and until they officially abandon "Prachanda Path"
and announce their new strategy (dedicated to full fledged democracy) complying with mutual understanding of eight party
alliance, one should not trust them on their false claim. Daily activities of the Maoists in the name of YCL also
indicate that they are still unbending in their original hard line philosophy of communism. Recent violent activities
across the country also make people pessimistic on ongoing peace process.
The Maoists often blame America as imperialist and is always against the peace process of Nepal. Where as, in the
contrary, the United States constantly express her strong support on peace process and concern about democracy and
freedom. The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Barry R Lowenkron said on his recent
visit to Nepal that the United States would always support Nepal in its peace process. He further said that he is in
Nepal to "promote setting a firm date for the Constituent Assembly elections, to encourage the Interim Government to
establish an open and inclusive electoral and political process, to examine human rights protection and abuses, and to
encourage all parties to the comprehensive peace agreement to adhere to their commitments to bring lasting peace and
democracy to Nepal." During a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Sahana Pradhan, Lowenkron opined that since the
country was heading towards Constituent Assembly elections, it was not justifiable to declare Nepal a republic through
the parliament itself. This is indeed slapping statement for the Maoists as it slams their strategy to eliminate their
first enemy (Monarchy) by declaring republic with the help of leftist dominated parliament by captivating advantages of
ongoing whim.
The Maoists in Nepal are able to make inane to most of the elements at national and international level with the help
of their craftiness strategy except the United States. As the US authority has correctly perceived their inner motive
always putting pressure on the Maoists to adhere the norms of the peace process. Therefore, it has been said that if Mr.
Moriarty had not put substantial pressure on this regards Nepal would have already declared a Maoists states.
No matter what strategy Maoists play in present Nepal the democracy is uncompromising necessity of the country. The
Maoists think they are true democrats but their philosophy, attitude and behaviors never comply with democratic norms.
They need to be completely changed to be the democratic force but in the contrary they are trying to create strong
leftist alliance to confront with other democratic forces. Only democratic force may not be able to counter their future
threats in order to drag the Maoists into democratic track, oldest institution of the country like Monarchy also can
contribute extra support to the democratic political forces to secure democracy and freedom in Nepal. If the key
international friend understand this fact and seriously provide necessary support no one can play against the ongoing
peace process.
ENDS