| Regaining "Paradise" |
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We should acknowledge the good that the Maoists have brought. Thirty-three percent women now serve in the parliament mainly because the Maoists employed female combatants as much as male, and thus encouraged women’s participation. The oppressive monarchy exists no more—the Maoists first demanded its annihilation. Various races have woken up to demand their rights. Enlightened communities will certainly bring prosperity to the nation. The Constituent Assembly (CA) election took place at Maoists’ insistence. So far, so good. However, they had a hidden agenda—the establishment of a Maoist, autocratic People’s Republic (PR). They deceived the innocent Nepali voters who thought that this radical communist party stood for a truly democratic state. Concentrating on establishing their PR and not our country’s development, the Maoists lost their "paradise" and popularity. The CA polls had enabled the former rebels to form the first Republican government under Pushpa Kamal Dahal. (I didn’t vote for the Maoists, and so don’t have their post-election crimes on my conscience.) Then, King Gyanendra’s former Home Minister Kamal Thapa spoke prophetically— "We should allow the Maoists to form a government to demonstrate how inefficient they are." As if to prove Thapa right, the empty-handed Dahal resigned on May 4. His nine months of rule paraded only the vast amount of revenue his finance minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai had collected. (The latter has ensured that the present government can’t benefit from his fruit of labour. Like programmed robots, his parliamentarians obstruct the house; and prevent the passing of the budget.) As the finance minister, Bhattarai had revealed his utopian ambition for the nation. His "moon-reaching" budget promised much, and raised high people’s hope. After 10 years of rebellion that killed about 16000 people, the Maoists had the PM’s seat and the opportunity to prove themselves. However, even before the Nepalis had begun to approach the Switzerland of Maoist dreams, Dahal resigned. Dahal claimed that by resigning he had fired a missile against the "regressive" forces. Rather, the resignation became a boomerang that returned to hit him with the intensity with which he threw it. Now, Dahal has tried everything to regain the PM’s chair that he discarded in disdain. This reminds us of the biblical story where Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of hot soup. Later on, Esau cried in front of his father Isaac to regain the privilege he had lost, but in vain. Since the CA election made the Maoists the largest party in the parliament, the former rebels can argue that the majority of Nepalese also want a PR! However, people understanding the PR will gasp in horror at all its implications; and remind them of Cambodia under Pol Pot. Had General Kul Bahadur Khadka succeeded in becoming the commander-in-chief according to Dahal’s plans, we would probably be languishing under a Maoist dictatorship today. The former rebels’ villain, the President, actually saved our country from a historic disaster. By comparison to the previous Maoist administration, the present UML government has bagged some achievement. The latest—the Nepal Army has begun the fast track from Kathmandu to Nijgadh. Former governments, including the Maoists’, talked a lot about such a highway; but did nothing. Thus for Dahal and his fellow leaders to call this government a puppet, unconstitutional and inept just exposes their pique at losing the PM’s chair. After losing the "paradise", and the Maoists have played the uncooperative, whimpering brat. When matters of national importance arise, opposition parties in established democracies support the government. Our comrades have blocked the parliament from functioning now for the sixth month. After the ruling parties ignored the November 1 deadline for "reform", the Maoists have started their futile protests. (Our nation has had enough agitations and revolutions. According to historians, a revolution of some sort has taken place in the country every 10 years.) Nepalis want development, peace and prosperity, not perpetual agitation. The present Maoist protests haven’t impressed people because of their sickening negativism like the torch rally. That also burned old tyres which emit poisonous gases harmful for health. When their dances on the streets obstructed traffic for hours and many taxi-drivers earned nothing, Dinanath Sharma, spokesman for the party, had this to say: "The people of Nepal have faced far more serious problems for centuries now; we are sure they will cope with this problem. We are fighting for the people; they will enjoy all their rights after we are victorious." If the nine months of Maoist rule provides a guide, these are the "rights" Nepalis will enjoy when the former rebels come to power again: murder of opponents, gagging of the press/killing of journalists, immunity to Maoist criminals, and the elevation of their party above the laws of the country. The poet John Milton died blind. Before his death, he completed Paradise Regained, which deals with the salvation Christ brought about. What Adam has lost through sin, Jesus won through his holy life and sacrifice on the cross. For Maoists to regain their "paradise", they would have to follow Christ’s way of abandoning sin, espousing non-violence, and uttering words of comfort. Dahal, Bhattarai, and Narayan Kaji Shrestha excel in threats which only alienate people. (Thus, it’s always less stressful when Dahal is out of the country; we don’t have to hear his harangues for a while!) By now, the Maoists should have realized that black flags, closed fists, and grinding teeth don’t scare people. For example, the deputy PM Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar challenged them to shoot him instead of just pelting stones. People are turning defiant and cynical towards Maoist antics. To regain "paradise" and popularity, the Maoists will have do things positive. Let them begin by calling off the present futile agitation. The blockade of Kathmandu Valley (November 10) made life miserable and the former rebels more unpopular. Suffering tourists will take home reports of their hardship because many had to abandon their vehicles and walk. Picketing Singha Darbar (November 12,13) with their cadres makes people question, "Can the Maoists do anything worthwhile?" Espousing common sense, the Maoists will have to let the parliament function because now all know that "civilian supremacy" simply means a Maoist dictatorship. They should be ashamed of taking salaries and perks as parliamentarians for their negative work—obstructing the house and taking the nation hostage. Provided they reform themselves, according to John Milton, the Maoists after the next election may regain "paradise". Published in the Republica on Friday, November 13, 2009 Newer...
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 November 2009 ) | |||
John Milton’s poem, Paradise Lost, can become a parable for the Maoist’s fall from power. Milton’s epic describes the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden for sinning. For the God-fearing Milton, paradise was Eden. For the atheistic Maoists, paradise is power.
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