? 
I am sharing here a recent discussion in Nepal Democracy Forum on this new development regarding Madhes. Several Pahadi and Madhesi members shared a guarded optimism and hoped that it might actually help solve Terai problem by bringing the armed groups of Terai into the fold of a united and peaceful movement.
I too share the hope. However, what I remain fearful about is that there is a pervasive perception among Madhesi intellectuals and politicians to see the armed and secessionist groups of Terai as a CARD and that this newly forming party might get caught into the same psychological trap.
Falling into that trap is losing the support/sympathy/solidarity of the progressive Pahadi mass and getting into, what I believe is, a never winning conflict.
I therefore was suggesting that Madhesi movement should be careful not to fall into the psychological trap of the armed and secessionist groups of Terai and instead to rely on and fight with the MORAL STRENGH of the Madhesi cause and the SUPPORT to it from the PROGREESIVE Pahadis.
I have had also a chance to elaborate on the progressive and conservative mindsets of Pahadis and make a point about how the conservative mindsets are being defeated in recent time in
In short, I was suggesting that the prevailing progressive idealism in
Nepe
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Selected postings from Nepal Democracy Google Group:
From: ZZ
Date: Thu,
To : nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Here are two views of the recent Tarai MPs and minister decision to form a
new regional Tarai party.
Prachanda looks at this through the eyes of a "Pahade Nationalist"...
While Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani looks at it through the eyes of someone
with deep faith in voters and in multi-party competitive democracy and
pluralism.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnepalinews.php?&nid=131054
While one can never rule out the role of foreign elements in this new
development, at this point I am much more inclined to go with Dr. Lohani's
rational, pluralistic, optimistic, and non-alarmist take on
this development rather than the paranoic and cloistered "us vs. them" view
of Prachanda (which, btw, is shared among many knee-jerk pahade nationlist
politicians in the mainstream parties and intelligentsia).
Additionally, I see one more huge silver lining in this development: the
senior and serious leaders now coalescing around this new tarai
party-formation project seem to have the resources and following to
undermine and co-opt the much more more radical/separatist threads in the
Tarai represented by the goit and jwala singh movements. If the new
democratic leaders manage to bring the tarai firebrands into the peaceful,
non-separatist mainstream, then that in itself will justify this separation
from their parent parties. I see this move as being crucial for holding the
CA polls in the tarai in the near future.
Most importantly, this move has the potential to resolve tarai militancy
WITHOUT any need to deploy the national army in the future.... a step that
would be utterly disastrous if it was ever implemented by the 7-party in the
name of keeping the country together.
I think the time to really worry will come if the 7-parties don't see the
silver lining in this development, and over-react to it as Dr. Lohani is
warning everyone not to do.
This development is still far away from a separatist movement.... but a
separatist movement will surely arise if this latest move is defined as one
from day one....
As a famous sociology/phenomonology dictum goes,
"If a situation is defined as real, it will be real in its consequences..."
by extension....
"If the latest waves in tarai plitics is defined as real separatism..it is
going to have real separatist consequences..
best,
ZZ
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From: XX
Date: Thu,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Dear ZZ ji:
Even though I've not yet read the 2 threads that you have included in
your e-mail on the subject, I pretty much agree with your assessment
of the 2 differing views.
Based on my little knowledge on this topic, I'd like to expel doubts
of those people/Party who think that the timing of this move indicated
ill-intention on the part of these Madheshi Leaders who severed ties
with their mother parties. This is totally baseless. The process of
forming a new party and/or a Madheshi Front has been reported in the
Nepali media for last 1 1/2 years. So, nobody should think that this
is an outcome of the dilly-dallying of Maoist and the SPA to build a
consensus.
Reports from Madhesh (not KTM media) already indicate massive support
of the people for this move. It has provided a sense of relief to many
Madhesis that peace will soon prevail in Terai. I agree with you that
the containment of the armed outfits will be the measure of success
for this new party. The SPA & the Maoist should accept that they have
miserably failed in resolving the Terai insurgency, and it's high time
they allow someone who can do it. If the immediate statement by Goit
faction is any indication, I'm optimist, the new Party will be able to
contain them.
However, if, IF the government mobilizes army, it will be a colossal
mistake and the most immature and dangerous decision of the Govt. in
dealing with Terai insurgency. And I urge all the esteemed members of
this forum to extend their influence to stop this ill-concieved move
of the Govt.
Lastly, we can NOT ignore the immediate outcome of this move: the SPA
& the Maoists are agreeing on everything!!
Thank you,
XX
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From: SS
Date: Thu,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ND] Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Dear XXji,
I agree that formation of a new Madhesi Party may be a good development and it's test will be how far they will succeed in directing the Madhesi struggle in a nonviolent and peaceful way. I wish them all the best because it is in the best interests of the whole
However we should keep in mind that their success will also depend upon the positive response from other parties. In democracy, every group wants their rights and if not given outlets in a peaceful way, then the advocates of violence will triumph.
People are peaceful by nature and violence is the manifestation of utter hopelessness and frustration.
Regards,
SS
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From: GG
Date: Thu,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ND] Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Who knows Mahanta Thakur could be the leader (President, prime
minister) of New Nepal and take
Madheshi personality with Pahadi backing could salvage
if this is in coordination with
counter Maoists,
seeing too much- I think I still have the hangover of the Indian
serial ChaaNyakya)
Thanks
GG
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From: RR (a Sajha member)
Date: Sat,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
All the Madhesi leaders and intelligentsia are enthused and most of
the Pahade intelligentsia seem to be cautiously optimistic. This
alliance of Madhesi leaders has the potential to resolve Terai
problems. So the Pahade dominated ruling parties can hope that the new
Madhesi party will be a bridge between them and Madhesh solution.
There is no choice besides cooperating with the new party. However,
whether the new party will represent the interest of Madhesi people of
to be seen. Lets hope that they will also speak for the people whose
villages are inundated during monsoon because of Indian barrages,
apart from other issues. Also mainstream parties should accomodate
more Madhesi leaders and interests within themselves and present a
healthy challenge to the regional parties. Lets see what happens with
the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Here are three write-ups from Madhesi columnists about the new
prospects.
http://www.nepalitimes.com/issue/378/TaraiEye/14262
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=131294
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnepalinews.php?nid=131162
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From: Deepak Khadka
Date:
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Okay here is my confession.
When I first heard of Madhesi leaders from various political parties
quitting them and forming a new party, I felt bombshelled.
First, perhaps, my primitive Pahadi self, saw it as a great threat to
my fellows' parties' ruling monopoly, among other things. But the
thing that stunned me the most was that it took me to the grave of one
of my dreams.
I had a similar dream for the progressive leaders from all major
political parties for a while.
Between 2004-2006, specifically, I was hoping for a miracle to happen:
formation of a new political party with clean/credible/popular leaders
from all political parties and a great following.
Needless to say, it was, or so turned out to be an unrealistic dream
for
baggage and tendencies they keep, was incredibly strong in their
parties, on one hand, and, on the other, what I thought were clean/
credible/popular leaders all turned out to be amazingly compromising,
pragmatic, patient or coward, whatever fits, who kept living happily
in their respective parties. Hence I had to bury the dream, as quietly
as I was keeping them for a while.
And then, all of sudden, what I got to see is-- hopefully it truly
is-- courage, risk-taking and calls of conscience from three well-
established Madhesi leaders, something I was so desperate to see in
some progressive-looking Pahadi leaders for even a greater cause.
I do not know what future holds for these Madhesi leaders and the
party they are forming. However, I am just mesmerized with their
courage at this point.
Now back to the cold calculation of realities. I think, as several
Pahadi members of our group shared the optimism, this new development
might be good for all peace-loving and justice-loving people, if the
new party could show necessary courage for justice and necessary
restrain about the means.
If, on the other hand, this party got swept by emerging extremism in
Terai, it will be doomed.
One reality that many Madhesi activists and leaders seem to be in
denial/ignorance is that progressive Pahadis are for real and Madhesi
movement never can be successful without winning the heart and trust
of this force.
Madhesi movement + progressive Pahadi's support = win
Madhesi movement - progressibe Pahadi's support = No win
So, the cause of Madhes alone is not going to make the movement
prevailing. How you do it and whether you care for other people or not
will be decisive at the end.
Secessionist extremism is not going to liberate Madhes. It will only
produce a few Jarnail Singh Bhindranwales. That's all.
Madhes movement can win with and should rely on the moral strength of
it's cause. It must not be tempted to use the power (bargaining or
winning) of violence and extremism.
Deepak Khadka
Saluting Madhesi leaders for their conscience
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From: AA
Date:
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ND] Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
Deepak ji
hello
In you equation below, can you elaborate on " progressive pahadi?"
I know sociology is not an exact science but until we define
"variables", equations would have no meaning. Can you attempt to
define "progressive pahadi" for the benefit of the forum please.
cheers!
AA
Madhesi movement + progressive Pahadi's support = win
Madhesi movement - progressibe Pahadi's support = No win
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From: Deepak Khadka <deepakkha...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
[…]
Dear AA-jee,
Haven't have a chance to say hello since we last met. So a big hello
to you.
And as for the description of "progressive Pahadi" or progressive
anything for that matter, as you yourself put it, albeit in a
different term, is context specific, like any other political
qualifiers would be.
In the context of Madhesi movement, or rather it's agendas, any Pahadi
who understands and acknowledges how the traditional state of
did injustice to Madhesi people and understands, supports and takes
part in the restructuring of the state of
Madhesi and all other marginalized people, should be "progressive
Pahadis", IMO.
Now the converse question is: who is not progressive, or rather who is
conservative/traditionist Pahadi ?
Well, going by the description above and elaborating a little more,
any Pahadi who still believes in the innocence of Nepali people or,
elaborating a little bit more, in the suppression of ethnic/gender/
regional/class awareness of inequality/injustices (as they often refer
to it as opening of a "Pandora's box" in
glorifying the paradise of the exotic and peaceful
and castigating the rebellions/manures against the paradise as ultra-
leftism, ultra-feminism, regionalism, communalism, adventurism and so
on.
As we stand now, the conservative Pahadis have lost almost all of
their grounds of logic. So I believe they are now searching their
souls, confronting the realities opening up to them and perhaps co-
opting to the changes occurring. Some may be fast learners, other
might have some baggage to feel shy about and still there may be
others who, deep down their mind, may still be harboring the old
belief system.
The last category of the people can be expected to pay lip services to
the progressive causes but still castigating the progressive force
habitually or just for the sake of it.
Shifting the ground of logic every time, resorting to ambiguity,
verbal spin and misinterpretation to attack the Maoist (largely a
progressive power with some unacceptable tendency, attitude and
baggage, if you want to know my view about them) SENSELESSLY, as
exhibited by a few members of this forum, in my view, exemplifies/
points to the old logic/habit of the conservative Nepali elites. [I
want to emphasize here, lest it leaves some misunderstanding, that I
am talking about the senseless and illogical bashings of the Maoists.
I am not talking about the logical and fair criticism (like I do ;-) )
of the Maoists.]
Finally, I would like to put an enigmatic question to you and all
former monarchists (of course the constitutional monarchy), which I
think will put my accusation/assumption I made above to test. What was
your logic for standing by the monarchy from the beginning to the last
minute (2005, for some 2006 or even 2007) ? I mean I know you all
regarded monarchy as a "stabilizing" factor. But my question is: how
exactly you thought it would stabilize
It's not that I have not asked this question to some of you in person
before or searched the answer myself in your write-ups quietly (in all
medias). But it was strange to find that all of you were silent on
that.
I know why you were silent. No, I am not bragging or being arrogant. I
just know the answer. You could not say it because what you had was
politically incorrect. You could not say it because you would be
saying Nepali people are and will remain for a significant time to
come immature for unguided/unpatronized democracy, innocent for power,
tolerant for an unrepresentative authority, patient for justice and so
on. Was it not ? And were you all not wrong ?
Deepak Khadka
Opening up a grave unnecessarily perhaps
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From: MM
Date: Sat,
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ND] Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
In general, I persoanlly think that every Nepali is very reasonable and
rational. When it comes to personel level, no Nepali wants to take others'
share or enjoy with others's property or resource. This is my personnel
experience based on my association with people of all aspect of
life, therefore, no one can convince me otherwise.
However, at the same time no one can dispute that people from Terai have not
been given a fair share in several areas of the governmental structure. It
is not any individual's fault regardless of which background we come from,
rather, it is the fault of the system itself.
Now in this context or reality we need to fix this system in light of the
fact that we have been blessed with a democratic system. My personel
opinion is that all Nepali needs to advocate for anti discrimationtion
laws, employment discrimination laws, age discrimination laws and other
governance laws which are discriminatory in nature. This is the only way to
fix the probelm. I personally do not see other solutions, but a legal
situtation. Therefore, we Nepali who live in North-America, forcefully
advocate that we need to have anti-discriminiation laws to be enacted as
soon as possible in our legal system. I know that I am answering AA ji's
(who I respect very much) quesiton directly, in round about way, but this
is the only way to answer.
Thanks!
Regards,
MM
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From: Deepak Khadka
Date:
To: nepaldemocracy@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: New Tarai Party: Dark Cloud or Silver Lining ?
MM-jee,
Indeed. All people are inherently rational and reasonable. Rationality
and reason are given to us by the mother nature herself (Darwinian
natural selection perhaps: Rationality and reason help us to fit
better and survive longer).
It's only that sometimes we make a flawed judgment and a wrong
decision. Hence the world is the way it is. Otherwise we would be
living in an eternally perfect paradise.
That said, I agree with you that legal reforms are the key.
However, as Arun-jee rightly said, how to that is the question. I will
only add that much of that how has been worked out and executed., some
to our dismay and some to our relief, by the dreadful Maoists and the
unbelieved common Nepalis, although the time and we are not yet ready
for a through judgment about that.
I am going to give you a very interesting and revealing example of how
"law" could not be the first key, how the conservative power and
thinking of
were born, how only what I would call a revolutionary shock therapy
could shook all of us to the core and the same abortion doctors
started to become the nurturing nurses for the baby progressive laws.
I do not know how many of us have followed the amazingly bumpy road
the "equal property right" to women of
it is really so much telling about the socio-political dynamics of
It formally started from a writ petition to the Supreme Court in 1993
followed by massive and vibrant civil debate over the years that
produced a lot of woman right activists and some celebrities too and I
also think set a tone of future civil movements in a democratic
because it was a first of it's kind and it was really civil and it was
wide spread reaching really to the grass root level.
Anyway, the public debate and activism had finally produced a fine
product in a form of a bill at the parliament, which was, to every
progressive people's great disappointment, killed by Nepali Congress
lawmakers (with a provision for woman to return the inherited property
when she marries !). It happened in 2002.
An, I would call, ironical twist happed during the active rule of
Gyanendra. The Supreme Court essentially re-opened the case. A
progressive step brought basically to impress all when our judges
thought Gyanedra is a real thing, if you know what I mean. Anyway,
nothing much happened as you know how things were then.
The saga ended last year in September- with 11th amend to the Mooluki
[Ain] unanimously supported by all lawmakers including Nepali Congress, that
finally finally gave equal property right and many other rights to
Nepali women in no-nonsense term.
Put the saga of this property right and political changes in
side by side and draw your own conclusion.
Now, I would like to make some speculation regarding the thought
process for Nepali Congress lawmakers during what they did in 2002 and
2006 to relate to my earlier discussion on the conservative and
progressive mindsets.
Briefly, I think, Nepali Congress lawmakers were more concerned about
preserving traditional family "fabric" and "semblance" without much
concern for gender inequality. Although the public awareness for
gender equality was increasing (thanks to the civil societies in the
cities and the Maoists in the villages), they were not feeling enough
heat. Next fives years of political upheaval including Jana-Andolan
and Maoist's entrance in power has changed all that. Now they are
either feeling helplessness (if their thinking has not changed) or
really starting to see that Nepali society has really come a long way
to be able to integrate the new culture of gender equality.
This is all for now from me.
I hope I have explained AAji's query to my best ability and I
also hope that I have somehow somewhere inspired some of you to see
what is happening in
dose of Maoist-bashing by a few members of this forum.
Astoo
Deepak Khadka
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