18/05/06 - 24/05/06 Show vision and sense of magnanimity The House of Representatives has been taking “revolutionary” decisions in the past few days when it has been in session. On Monday also, it made what it claimed to be a “historic proclamation”. It is good to see the “restored” House moving fast and taking different decisions, but it is still unclear whether the “historical decisions” will be in the interest of the nation as a whole in the long run. Furthermore, many of the decisions have been taken, simply with the logic that this is the will of the people! Even now, there are some groups, including student organizations which are putting pressure on the members of parliament. But do they represent all the Nepalese people? It can even be asked whether the mass that participated in the demonstration of last month, as all the Nepalese people. Totally ignoring an institution which was fundamental in the making of modern Nepal and also dismantling other traditional values may not be for the good of the country and the people. The leaders who have received yet another chance to govern the country must not repeat the mistakes they made in the past. They must show vision and a sense of magnanimity to encompass all sides. The nation is still in a critical phase, with a group of armed rebels still in the jungles. One of the biggest aspirations of the Nepalese people is to see peace and this should be the objective of the present government and other leaders, not to seek vengeance or just “undo” what the past governments did. It will not be fruitful to demoralize the security forces as well. The Nepalese Army has a proud history and it has played a crucial role in establishing peace both here within the country and in the international arena too. Even just recently, it was the army which established peace and protected the innocent citizens in difficult times. Targeting this very army will not be wise, it could only bring further chaos and division among Nepalese. In the same way, the King has been a symbol of unity and respect for the majority of the people, it cannot be wished away through sheer mob fury. It must not be forgotten that the Constitution brought by the historic peoples’ movement of 1990 still exists. This Constitution must be respected till a new one is formulated. The Maoists too must respect the peoples’ wish for peace, but their adamant stance to not lay down arms does not indicate the peoples’ voice is being heard. The government and the House must see this as a more important work, not just jailing former ministers and suspending security chiefs. It can be hoped the leaders understand the present delicate situation better, bringing division will only weaken the nation as a whole. If the nation’s existence is at stake, there could be an even bigger peoples’ movement, this, no one should forget.