Steaming out adverse political thoughts Rajeeb Lal Satyal I try to avoid using clichés in my write ups. But here in this case, I won’t, to make myself understood: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”(however disgusting it may be to you, to complete the cryptic implication) That is the exact phenomenon everyone in Nepal seem to follow or go through, to avoid adversity. In fact, that makes sense with another cliché: hul mul ma jyan jogaunu (“save yourself in the crowd”). So we all are doing, following and subscribing to ideas, practice, and belief we may not really believe for the fear of being alienated. It is inherent in our national nature to seek mass approval for anything we think or do. We clearly need a psychological revolution to empower people. Another cliché I am using is the “The emperor’s new clothes” the new clothes here being “democracy”, which everyone pretends to understand the meaning of. But this time, the clothes are not the emperor’s; it is the political parties’ new invisible clothes which can hardly bring any peace and prosperity to commoners. It will surely bring more power and prosperity to same old political parties, handful of rich supporters to meet their recently developed quest for media attention and secure distinct position in society. The people who are protesting on the street will be abandoned and no substantial improvement will come in their lives. They will be devoid of even the most basic necessities, while their leaders will gain power. While a handful of leaders of student unions will become ministers, members of parliaments (owls), majority of students who are forced to join street agitation will disrupt their education, and consequently, their career. These are the bitter truths. Another device I’m using is an oxymoron; political leaders are following an oxymoronic paradox whereby they are unknowingly empowering the king in the process of de-empowering him; the more pressure they put on King to commit to constituent assembly, the more recognition they are giving to his power. Even when the King has proclaimed that he will handover power to the people, instead of cashing in to exercise their political power to form an all-party government, revoke the parliament, and finally declare elections to the constituent assembly, they are still avoiding to do so on some lame technical pretexts and are further extending the agitation. They seem to lack the moral power to do that, as they lack genuine alliance-culture: unity and political skill to lobby with foreign allies and lead the country without blaming each other. May be they fear the possible failure. The question here is “If the SPA can not trust the King’s open proclamation, which was internationally recognized, broadcasted and witnessed, what is the basis for the common people to trust them to achieve something they could not do during their 12 years of rule, especially when they are still looking at the King to solve all their problems even before they form their democratic government? It only shows their parasitic nature to thrive on others’ power –the King, the insurgents, or people on the street. They have become champion of agitation, protest, opposition and dirty politics. Using another cliché here, “survival of the fittest”, only god knows which one of the agitating parties (including ones outside the SPA) will survive the third complete democratic movement (awarded in form of a republican state) after those of 2007 and 2046 BS. This country may surely become a republican state; but run by one party, fittest of all. Because the SPA has a roadmap to win the regime; but they hardly have roadmap (or vision) to provide the very basic necessities to people, let alone bring prosperity. How will they bring economic, social and cultural democracy so that everyone will get a house, two daily meals, clothes, basic education and equality? It looks unlikely and too much to expect any of these things from the present leaders unless the third generation, and not the second, takes over the country. All the present intellectuals, members of civil society, and leaders who are pretending to fight for democracy will be the one to flee the country first if that happens, leaving the poor public at the mercy of their own faith. One last cliché: “A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend”, as a lesson to be learned. It has always been those foolish friends who have succeeded in destroying their friends. It has always been proven true as much to the monarch as it is to the political leaders who have been misguided by their sycophants. People can hardly forget rampant corruptions that happened during their rule. Even before aspiring for democracy in the country, the SPA need to revisit themselves first, to openly review their own past mistakes and make a public commitment similar to one they expect from the King. They need to vow to reform their own ethical and moral conduct. Here is some rhetoric questions one would want to think about - how will these political parties recover the money they have spent in organizing the agitation? What assures the public that there won’t be misuse of pubic funds once they come into power? They should be able to come up with a clear vision and a transparent modus operandi to convince the people. By Rajeeb L. Satyal Kathmandu PS: Its high time we all including media, stopped fuelling the agitation for our petty interest and started playing positive and responsible role of reconciliation.