Things are getting clearer day by day about the intentions of King Gyanendra. First let's start from the news about the arrest of Kanak Dixit. Kanak Dixit was detained on Monday evening without handing any charges. Some loyalists of the royal palace have already created a reason to protect this move saying that Dixit had been to India few days ago and he might be detained by the security forces on suspicion of his involvement in dissident political activities taking place in India. Some of the sajhaites have branded him as Girija's mouthpiece and some have even gone to label him as a RAW agent. Ridiculous allegations. We cannot expect any better arguement from those Gyanendra loyalists but the fact is Kanak Dixit has been arrested because of this cover story (linked) published in the latest issue of Himal Khabarpatrika. Please read this story if you want to know what is inside. - http://www.nepalihimal.com/2061/falgun-16-30/aabaran_biswa_samudaya%20_ra_nepal.htm The gist of the story is that King Gyanendra has not been able to convince the international community led by India about the justification of the Royal move in Feb 1. Dixit's argument in the cover story is a crystal clear fact which any person with an IQ of at least 100 can understand. How can Gyanendra expect India, USA or UK giving explicit approval of his move that includes detention of political leaders, ban on independent media and imposition of severe restrictions on civil liberties? There is no point in him to expect their support while his restrictions are no less than that of NorthKorea. There's more freedom in China, Cuba, Zimbabwe or Pakistan then in Nepal at present. How the hell can George Bush speak about rooting out autocractic regime from the world(refer to his state of the union address) if he supports Gyanendra in this situation? If he has to generate support from India and the USA, Gyanendra most lift a number of bans. It is inevitable and the longer Gyanendra takes to soften the restrictions, the more suspicion will arise to the international community. Dixit also adds in his cover story that the democratic freedom restored by the pressure from India and International community will be costly for Nepal. His argument is very plausible. (I have expressed a similar kind of opinion some where up in the thread almost a week ago). Gyanendra should have realised this fact and never opted to take such a draconian measure in the first hand. Once he did, he should have lifted some of those bans sooner. But he has sticked to his initial moves and this means the international community(specially India) will make this a case for bargain. Gyanendra shouldn't have allowed this oppurtunity for the international community because sooner or later he has to lift the bans if he wants to extend his direct rule for 3 years. Now Dixit goes on to say that other countries shouldn't be given the chance to involve in restoring partial democracy in Nepal and it is us Nepalese who should step up for our democracy. Because, involvement of foreigners in our democratic movement will give them a chance of bargaining with our estabilishments time and again. Over dependence on India by our political leaders have in the past cost a lot on our bilateral trade, water sharing and territorial disputes. Again Dixit's argument is very authentic and patriotic. So, why should Dixit be arrested because of this lead article? The new regime(in Dixit's word) had outlined it's media guideline and said- everything except the materials that help the terrorists(maoists) can be published. And there is nothing as such in this cover story. Even then, they have arrested him because their intentions are clear. 'Not to let any one who oppose autocracy to speak their mind.' If they speak, the public will be conscious and rise against them. Because Kanak has published some bitter truths about Tulsi Giri and Rameshnath Pandey, these cronies might have initiated personally to teach him some lessons- If you oppose us, we will throw you to the dungeon. I know that he will not be kept in detention for long. Gyanendra will again loose his case if he doesn't free Kanak on Tuesday and he is not that stupid to keep him in custody for long. But this is a warning to the rest of the media that the restrictions will be further tightened. He wants to scare the media. He wants to scare Kanak Dixit. And this is the most frightening part of the whole incident. Gyanendra's intention is to rule Nepal in darkness so that no one will ever venture to write or broadcast any thing against his interest in the future. However, as a professional neither Kanak should deviate his mission nor other journalists should be scared from this arrests. If they are scared, their rights will be taken partly and partially and finally the same days of Panchayati darkness will come back. Rest is the nightmare. Much said about Kanak's article. Now I must categorically dismiss the allegations labelled on him. Not because I have any relation with him but because of my understanding of his contribution in the development of fair and analytical journalism in Nepal. He is one of the role models for investigative journalism of Nepal and a true mentor to the new generation who are taking up the subject as their profession. First, because he has expressed his fear about India's potentially decisive role in meddling on Nepali affairs, the allegation that he is a RAW agent is totally absurd. Second, because Himal have always highlighted the wrong doings of Girija Prasad Koirala in the past he cannot be labelled as a mouth piece of GPK. Infact, Himal was one of the few magazines or newspaper which have reported on wrongdoings committed by everyone Girija to Deuba, Makune to Surya Bahadur Thapa and Paras to Sharad |Chandra Shah. Himal is one of the few good things that came into existence and flourished in post democracy. They are the watershed in our media industry. To sum up, detention of Kanak Dixit is the sign of psychological rupture in Gyanendra's mindset.Instead of strenghtening his position, Gyanendra has to loose more by detaining a truly professional and responsible journalist. I hope our journalist community will not be scared of this incident and continue to explore the truth no matter if they have to end up behind bars. If they shut their mouth today, their mouth will be sewed for long. newuser