Posted by:
metta November 3, 2015
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Nepal is in crisis, and it has nothing to do with the earthquake. Here’s what you need to know.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/11/02/nepal-is-in-crisis-and-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-the-earthquake-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
“… accommodating Madhesi demands would bring broader buy-in for the new constitution. The resulting political stability would end the fuel crisis, avert humanitarian disaster, and could facilitate much needed development.” This is absolutely true. It would also strengthen India’s cultural dominance and leave the tiny country of Nepal absolutely dependent on “big brother” to the south. That is not a win-win situation for Nepal.
“…clearly flawed [constitution]…” Really? It was passed by 90 percent of the constitutional assembly delegates, half of whom represented the people in the plains area. Ten percent of the delegates boycotted, and they are responsible for the demonstrations.
“… reject full citizenship to children born of a Nepali and a foreigner and ban these offspring from being elected to higher office.” A dozen offices, such as president and vice president, are restricted to those who are born of Nepali fathers. The US has restrictions on higher offices as well.
“… restrictions that deny [Madheshis] a province…” There are two majority Madheshi provides. What they want is a province that is completely comprised of southerners, excluding any hill peoples.
“Security forces have brutally suppresses these demonstrations…” True. But you don’t see fit to mention that nine policemen were murdered in cold blood by demonstrators who, a parliamentary enquiry has found, were recruited and paid to do so. That was the impetus for the police reaction.
“… political elites have ignored their demands.” Another way to put this is that the majority of Nepalis disagree with their demands. Should a violent minority rule?
“The cultural unrest is rooted in … identity. The Madheshi’s close geographical and cultural ties to India…” Hundreds of thousands of Madheshis acquired citizenship within the last 25 years under circumstances that many Nepalis find dubious. And it is clear that Indian citizens are part of the demonstrations, acting behalf of kith and kin on the other side of the border. Indian refusal to open border points or supply petroleum products and fuel to Nepal amount to a blockade.
“… Nepal’s politicians have ignored calls for reform…” A majority of Nepalis disagree with the “calls for reform.” This is quite different from ignoring them.
Indian media saying: There is absolutely no evidence to substantiate such an accusation and even the one solitary Indian citizen to die yesterday did so at a border crossing was in Nepal on business and was returning home when he stopped by the Nepali police and shot as per news reports.
