1. SO CALLED GOVERNMENT-REVOLUTIONARY DIALOGUE: WHAT NEXT?
Raj K Pandey, MBS, MA
A decade long Maoist insurgency killed more than 15,000 Nepalese and thousands of
rural inhabitants were internally displaced. The conflict in Nepal not only has thoroughly
disturbed the existing socio-economy of the country but also geo-political and traditional
socio-cultural values have been drastically altered with the passing of time. The conflict
adversely affected the political, social and economic sectors, particularly tourism, finance
transportation and communication. Moreover, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has
been severely reduced and no lucrative investments have been observed after the conflict.
However, the present conflict has seriously but very positively influenced the grassroots
level rural communities. The traditional caste based hierarchical social structures have
been unexpectedly altered and the illiterate people have started to raise questions about
the social malpractices that have existed for thousands of years. On the other hand, the
role of the socially excluded communities - women, Dalit, indigenous, downtrodden and
marginalized people have been positively transformed and the state machineries have
been proactive towards these issues in these days. The conflict, to a large extent, was
destructive, deconstructive as well as productive in terms of the socio-economic values.
Politically, it has proved fruitful to sensitize grassroots communities, whose participation
is vital prerequisite for the democracy, good governance and human rights.
The initial 43 point demand of the Maoists was, in fact, the voices of civil societies but
the political issue-socialism was merely an ideology which can never be implemented in
the twenty first century where freedom and human rights must be guaranteed. The
central level committee Maoist leaders may have understood these ground realities and
thus have shown flexibility and commitment by accepting democracy in their speeches.
In the rapidly changing present political context, the Maoist and the incumbent Nepal
Government, including seven political parties, have found some common grounds as they
have a shared political agenda – constituency assembly to abolish the monarchy. This
consensus can be used as a ‘card’ to bring the Maoists into the mainstream politics of the
country for a short period of time if they are honest and serious about the peace talks.
The present dialogue is an opportunity for both the government and the Maoists to join
the mainstream political forces of the country. The government has made a commitment
to form the constituent assembly which was the bottom line of the Maoists. If the Maoists
accept democracy, in the long run, they will emerge as a stronger political party in Nepal,
as they are grassroots based political party and have wide networks with the rural and
marginalized communities which comprise 86% of the total population.
As conclusion, in order to make the present peace talks successful, the Maoists must
accept multi party democratic system. Otherwise, immediately after the constituent
assembly, there will be a high possibility of another civil war in Nepal, which may be led
by either the Maoists or the traditional statusqua forces who will never accept the socio-
political transformation as they have been benefiting for the hundreds of years in Nepal.
