Counter Revolution in Nepal

Divash Sharma


There are three stages of counter revolution in Nepal.




Stage One starts from Chunbang and ends at 12-point Delhi Agreement.



Stage Two starts from Delhi Agreement and ends at ‘Comprehensive Peace Agreement’ between parliamentary ruling forces represented by the then Girija government and revisionist forces represented by Prachanda-Baburam & Co.



Stage Three starts from the ‘Comprehensive Agreement’ and it has been still ongoing.



The organized, planned, motivated and structured inception of the counter revolutionary political line was proposed in Chunbang. The revolutionaries too during that time either advocated the line that made counter revolutionary course possible or they maintained silence. This gave green signal to counter revolutionaries to move forward.



During the period of 12 point Delhi Agreement too; there was much less resistance by the revolutionaries to that counter revolutionary coup.



During the time of the ‘Comprehensive Agreement’ too, they had not effectively resisted the move that practically started the process of disarming and demobilizing the PLA.



Hence, the CPN – M leadership must accept their grave mistakes, half-measures and submissiveness. Even now, they are giving confusing signals. Sometimes, it sounds that they have been suffering from the double-speak syndrome of Prachanda-Baburam & Co.



Blames, half-measures, passing conflicting/confusing signals and total lack of assertiveness may neither help CPN -M leadership to gain strengths, nor it will contribute to rebuild revolutionary structures including the party, army and joint fronts, nor it will help to mobilize masses, nor it will contribute to strengthen international communist movement.



Irrespective of his/her intention and representation of certain interests, I agree with arua that just criticizing Prachanda-Baburam & Co may not work. It is certainly one aspect, but making your house clean by accepting weaknesses, failures and mistakes and providing a course that ensures rebuilding of revolutionary course in Nepal are more important.

http://thenextfront.com/?p=2495#comment-1365

NGOs/INGOs - a Comment

The comments above by Jiwan Kumar need attention as in the case of Nepal, soft-gun (read money, foreign travel, luxuries) approach of the imperialist powers has become very successful. America used Asia Foundation and many other INGOs/NGOs to by individual political leaders of the then ML (afterwards UML) to its fold. Europeans utilized human rights agencies/interest groups such as FOFUR, INSEC, C-VICT, CWIN, RRN and like these agencies to help degenerate social activists and through them the UML leaders. Now, UML has become a social democratic party.




US and European governments utilize their resources cost effectively by mobilizing INGOs/NGOs, bilateral and multilaterals. The general trend is that use soft-gun whenever it is useful, use threat through UN and its system agencies when needed and use direct pressure/force when these soft-options do not work. Therefore, INGOs/NGOs, UN/UN system agencies, Breton woods agencies, western bilateral agencies all have become the instruments of subjugation. These are the new weapons in the arsenal of imperialism of 21st century.




UCPN (M) also falls pray of the soft-gun approach and now become their partner. Hence, CPN-M should come out with comprehensive policy towards these agencies, particularly on INGOs/NGOs. Regarding UN/Un system agencies, Breton woods institutions and bilateral agencies, they should adopt policies on case basis - neither total negation nor subjugation.



However, a meaningful debate on this issue is a very important task for them who are involved in the revolution in 21st century.

http://thenextfront.com/?p=2477#comment-1205

India's Client Regime in Kathmandu Gravely Hurts Nepal

Divash Sharma

In recent past, particularly since the mass movement of 2006, India has created a situation where its influence dominated every aspects of governance in Nepal. The 12-point agreement signed in Delhi was the beginning of a new departure point in Nepal - India relation. The then seven-party-alliance and the then Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) got not only Indian political guidance but also logistics including coordinating meetings and providing substantial input in drafting the agreement.  Even some critiques suspect that the drafting was out-sourced to India by Nepalese side and simply the fortunate Nepali sides got ready to sign the final product, which they happily did. Anyway, India played dominant role during the time of drafting and signing this agreement. Since then, in every major event in Nepal, there is some sort of Indian involvement.

India very well knew from the beginning that it needs a client regime in Nepal. Here, some explanation is needed about the nature and scope of work of a client regime. After the Indo-Pak war of 1947, India annexed part of Kashmir controlled by its forces by creating some sort of legitimacy in the form of 'consent' of the nominal ruler of Kashmir, Hari Singh. On the other side, Pakistan founded a client regime under Sardar Mohammed Ibrahim Khan by designating him as 'President of Azad Kashmir'.

The 'Azad Kashmir Government' signed an agreement with Pakistan in 1949. The agreement is popularly known as "The Karachi Agreement". Through this agreement, 'Azad Kashmir Government' handed over the important state functions of Kashmir to Pakistani authorities. These functions included "defence, foreign policy, negotiations with the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan, publicity in foreign countries and in Pakistan, co - ordination and arrangement of relief and rehabilitation of refugees, co - ordination of publicity in connection with plebiscite, all activities within Pakistan regarding Kashmir such as procurement of food, civil supplies, running of refugee camps and medical aid and all affairs of Gilgit - Ladakh under the control of Political Agent" (Karachi Agreement 1949). Now, anybody could understand what roles are left for 'Azad Kashmir Government'. If anybody is interested in details, googling "Karachi Agreement 1949" could be beneficial. The 'Azad Kashmir Government' is still there at Muzaffarabad. This is a glaring example of a client regime.

India colonized parts of Kashmir. Also, it provided voting rights to Kashmiri people at par to any other Indian and 'merged' parts of Kashmir into India. However, Pakistan created a client regime and ruled over them without any accountability towards them. There is no Kashmir as Kashmir in India; there are no Kashmiris as Kashmiris in Pakistan. Hence, both are unjustifiable arrangements but of different types.

The arrangements between Pakistan and its client regime in Muzaffarabad are well written. However, India has not done and could not do the same as the time is different, so is the space. Therefore, the forms are different in Kashmir and Nepal. However, the nature and content are similar to each other, if not exactly the same.  Hence, there is need of examining India's objectives and expectations from its client regime in Kathmandu. These objectives and expectations include but not limited to the following critical areas.

• Securing Nepal-India board, keeping eye on Nepal-China boarder, observing movements regarding international arrivals and departures via air routes and getting extradition treaty signed so as to arrange access to India’s terror suspects including Pakistanis in Nepal. This is the item-wise break down of India’s much talked about security perceptions.

• Getting away with or at least maintaining the status queue regarding anti-India sentiment among Nepali people.  This is what India talks loud about India’s willingness for Nepal’s progress and spreads ‘seeds of goodwill’ in the form of small grants to schools, communities and other smaller institutions.

• Getting hold over Nepal’s water resources and getting unrestricted access of its products and services to Nepal. India has encouraged Indian private or public sector companies for securing water resources and expanding networks to Nepali market. It has already controlled many large water projects and the Koshi high dam (Sapta Koshi High Dam Multipurpose Project and Sun Koshi Storage cum Diversion Scheme) heads its priority list now. Also, BIPPA has created platform for expansion of its production networks in Nepal, if it desires so.

• Providing Nepal a pair of shoes, which Nepal wears and follows India in any strategic or critical journey that India makes in the international arena.

The mass movement of 2006 provided India a unique opportunity as there was a most unpopular king as the target of the movement; dethroned, weak and unpopular parliamentary parties were struggling for their very existence and a powerful but vulnerable Maoist party led by its ambitious leaders of middle class origin was standing at the crossroads. Without any delay, India jumped into the situation by bringing a few tankers loaded with petroleum, a few tankers with nutritious juice and a few tankers with plain water. Seeing the tankers loaded with petroleum; the king rushed to his lavatory. The malnourished parliamentary parties lined up for the juice and the ready-to-cross-the-floor Maoist leaders cooled down with the plain water. As a result, the king watered down; the seven-party-alliance was formed and they made contractual arrangement with the Maoist leaders. Finally, a client regime came into existence under the leadership of the ‘great’ Girija Prasad Koirala. After Girija Prasad Koirala, three more leaders offered their services to India according to the best of their abilities and statures. From everyone, India got something. Now, another  leader is serving India as one of the most valuable collaborator.The former Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran told recently that India intervened to save General Rukmangud Katawal to preserve the professionalism of Nepal Army. (http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/28/top-story/india-intervened-in--katawal-case-sharan/357832.html) This is enough to understand the gravity of the intervention. When a foreign country could influence the appointment or retention of an Army Chief, we could easily understand how Nepal has been running its business. A friend of mine emailed me this morning stating that, “I am not a hydrophobic anti-India activist. However, Saran's revelation made me feeling powerless and insecure”. The Nepali state has lost its sovereign power to make decisions together with its glory, status and manoeuvrability.

As Patriotic Nepali citizens, we should do not blame India primarily for all ills that we have. Promoting and protecting its national interest is a legitimate right of India. However, we should oppose Indian design that does not respect Nepal’s sovereign rights as an independent nation. Moreover, it has established a client regime in Nepal that is absolutely unacceptable. Hence, the client regime should be defeated and replaced by a regime which is committed to Nepali cause.

The Nepali patriotic forces should define their own objectives. A few vitally important ones are mentioned below.

• Protect national boarders in all directions that include international airports. Take charge of national security.

• Maintain patriotic alertness and be prepared to oppose when and where Nepali sovereign rights are challenged.

• Protect Nepali national resources and exploit them on the best interest of Nepal by mobilizing local, bilateral or multilateral resources, skills and technologies. Keep business environment friendlier to indigenous enterprises, skills and technologies to make Nepal prosperous.

• Take firm stand in any international forum by maintaining independence and protecting Nepali interests.

The primary obstacle in the way of attaining the above mentioned objectives is not India but it is its client regime in Kathmandu. This regime from the very day of its inception has been continuously injuring Nepal gravely. Hence, defeating and replacing the present client regime has become a precondition. All democratic, progressive, patriotic and nationalist forces should come together to launch a decisive movement to protect Nepali national sovereignty and independence and to create a way out from the disastrous situation that Nepal is in now. If people want to end the Indian proxy rule, they have to effectively end the client regime system that has been continuing quite for some time in Nepal.

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Note: The article was also posted on www.thehimalayanvoice.com on August 04, 2012. The following thoughtful comment had been posted on the same blogsite. I have reposted the comment below and thank The Himalayan Voice.

COMMENT
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Madhukar <madhukarsjbrana@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: INDIA'S CLIENT REGIME IN KATHMANDU GRAVELY HURTS NEPAL
To: The Himalayan Voice <himalayanvoice@gmail.com>

The hope and grounds for a sovereign, independent Nepal lies surely in the hearts and minds of our youth today. Let us pray that they enter politics with this spirit and mindset to expunge the older party leaders that are part and parcel of this shameful and hurtful client regime that the author speaks of so passionately.

In addition to his excellent action points we need to underscore the need for a strong managerial civil service free of political leverage; the creation of an autonomous National Intelligence Agency mandated by the Constitution along with a National Security Council -- that is much broader than the present dysfunctional NSC.

Last but not the least we, need to set up National Economic Council (NEC) to debate and deliberate on the economic dimensions  of national interest and guide all planning agencies at all levels of governance. Dismantle the current National Planning Commission and have it, if felt needed, as part of the PMO to advise the political party/parties in power. Presently, the NPC is a political body that is victimized by policy paradigms laid out by the donor nations and institutions.

The proposed NEC must subscribe to the philosophy and principles of people-private-public pragmatic - partnerships to garner political, economic and social spaces to the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship for a prosperous, developed and independent Nepal.

Reforming the Nepal Police towards making it a community police force (CPF) while strengthening the Armed Police Force to include border security, industrial security, highway security and infrastructure security are vital, strategic musts.

Thank you for this patriotic article. Let's keep the debate on to rid ourselves of our client state mindset and leaders once in for all

Madhukar SJB Rana,
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Reply to Mr. Mdhukar SJB Rana

Dear Mr. Rana,




I read your thoughtful comments though quite after a long time you posted. I agree with the important issues related to economic restructuring and governance you have raised.

Now, Nepal has been facing dangers from its rulers and their foreign conductors. In this critical juncture, being silent also is a criminal act. Hence, individually or collectively, we must express ourselves whichever way we could.

The leaders, particularly from the big parties are lining up as India's Team "A", "B" and "C". Now, Prachnada-Baburam &Co together with the opportunist leaders from Madhes stands as Team A, NC & Co as Team B and UML & Co as Team C. All of them are competing against each other. It sounds that an Indian Domestic Political League is in action in Nepal.

Sometime ago, a friend of mine told, "We are much unfortunate than the Sikkimis as Sikkimis at least have been represented at the highest level of Indian legislative, the parliament. But, we are governed by the agents and we do not have any presence at that level. We are ruled without representation. Hence, we are living in a colony." I am not sure. However, he has his point.

Now, options are quite limited. If the progressive, democratic, nationalist and inclusive federalist forces come together; they could challenge these Indian puppets. I believe, we could and should contribute to promote and strengthen such forces. By our actions, which include writing, speeches, art works, agitations, advocacy, campaigns etc, let's encourage them to come together and to challenge and to end the misrule, loot and anarchy of the ruling political sub-contractors.

Best regards

Divash

Change of Images of Leaders and Perceptions of People

Divash Sharma

In a span of short time of six years only, the popular perception about Nepal's several personalities has gotten changed tremendously. The heroes have now turned into somewhat different; if not outright villains. Those actors perceived as in negative roles earlier have now become able to transform themselves as more acceptable personalities. In substance, the positions and roles have changed and so have the actors also. Many champions of 'republicanism' and democracy are now considered as corrupt and power hungry agents of alien actors. The societal attitudes about them have changed so radically and dramatically !


Let’s see some of the changed images of a few personalities. Let’s start with UPCN (M) as it is the “flavour of the month”. Pushpa Kamal Dahal the highly revered “Messiah of Revolution” is perceived now as a petty power broker. The public opinion about him has turned at least 160 degrees, if not 190 towards dark. Once considered an ideal is now seen as one of the most unreliable, unpredictable and luxury- laden foxes in town. This is a sea-change of people’s perception today.

The second in line is his deputy, Baburam Bhattarai. People were so positive about him that they blindly supported him. He was considered as the best qualified person to bring Nepal into the path of progress from ruins. People believed him as an intellectual par excellence. There was some short of euphoria when he got the top job in the country - the chair of the prime minister. However, within a year of that very rosy day, Nepal slid into further anarchy and he is now seen no more than a ‘power-glued parasite’.

Let’s see some other pictures in some other fronts. The media now has been seen as provider of entertainments rather than that of information. However, people used to consider Kishore Nepal, one of Nepal's finest journalists, as generally as information collector, processor, analyzer and deliverer also. Really, he was a good journalist for many and for some he was a journalist of majestic height. Now, after joining Nagarik Daily, he has converted himself into Babu Ram Bhattrai’s laundryman. Strange!


Similarly, Dr. Sundar Mani Dixit, the brilliant physician with great virtues has converted himself into an honorary guard of Babu Ram Bhattrai and Pushpa Kamal’s joint venture. Nir Shah, C. K. Lal, Yuv Raj Lama, etc. are some other examples.

There are many who have already tarnished their images due to their supresser’s role during 1990s. They continued to remain with the same bad images or a bit darker images. Nearly all the main leaders of Nepali Congress Party and CPN (UML) Party belong to this category. Two possible exceptions could be Congress' Sushil Koirala and CPN (UML)'s Amrit Bohara.


The former Panchas including Surya Bahadur Thapa, Pashupati Shumsher Rana and Prakash Chandra Lohani have much finer and better images now. Kamal Thapa has emerged as the most active and influential leader of the radical right. Gyanendra Shah also has a far better image than what he used to have six years ago


People like to hear more from some of the intellectuals also. The list includes the names of Rishi Raj Baral, Krishna Bhattachan, Bhimarjun Acharya, Mumaram Khanal and Surendra K. C. Likewise retired Nepal Army Chief Rukmangad Katawal is another person, whom people like to listen. Recently, he emerged as one among a few influential opinion makers. His political activism, though untested, is interesting to watch.

There are some personalities still with positive images or a few new personalities with positive images have emerged. The names in this category include that of Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, Chitra Bahadur K. C., Ram Baran Yadav, Gokarna Bista, Chitra Lekha Yadav, Pampha Bhusal, etc.

Chitra Bahadur K. C., Surendra K. C. and Kamal Thapa oppose federalism either in form or in the essence but they have certain degree of integrity in their conduct. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Pashupati Sumsher Rana and Prakash Chandra Lohani represent the old school of thought. Rukmangud Katawal is a new comer in the business or in other words in politics and opinion making. Gyanendra Shah represents the past at present. Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, Ram Baran Yadav, Chitra Lekha Yadav and Gakarna Bista are not the birds of same feather. The same applies to Bhimarjun Acharya, Krishna Bhattachan and Rishi Raj Baral also.

However, their net worth is growing or has been continuing as positive or has turned to positive in perceptions of the people. Therefore, this phenomenon is cross-political and cross-ideological. May be this is somewhat temporary, but is certainly a new reality. On the other side, the rulers of today including Pushpa Kamal and Babu Ram Bhattarai are competing with the rulers of yesterday - in area of decreasing popularity. This is another reality. This is a strange phenomenon. Nepal is now in upheavals, so are the personalities also.

CPN - M and Confusing Signals

Now, the most important tasks for the revolutionaries in Nepal include but not limited to the points mentioned below.

a) Crystallizing, consolidating and communicating revolutionary politics, political line, first strategic milestone and tactics, and also finding out ways and means to reconnect the disjointed revolutionary course.

b) Reorganizing the revolutionary communist party in Maoist tradition, standards and values.

c) Mobilizing the party, its organizational instruments and masses to address issues that have been creating problems in areas of people’s livelihood and societal transformation. Revolution progresses in stages and installments and becomes a single whole in relatively a longer period of time.

d) The question of nationalism and patriotism is crucial for Nepal. Raising awareness, creating environment and fighting for strengthening Nepali sovereignty are very important. This mission should be taken as a continuous process and it must not be a rhetorical exercise.

e) In the course, the party should revisit its past, review relations and work with larger international proletarian communities and their vanguards. While doing this, COMPOSA, RIM, etc may come into focus and their revival or reactivation could happen quite naturally.

But, right now, the reorganized CPN – M is not going through a process that makes it a vanguard of Nepalese people. Visiting reactionary temples such as Shital Nivas (President Ram Bran Yadav’s residence) and a majestic Lazimpat bungalow (Prachanda’s new palace) will not help the cause of Nepalese revolution. Recently, we have seen several confusing signals from the CPN – M.

Still, there is time to clarify the cloud. People will wait giving benefit of doubt. However, the morning has not heralded the beginning of a sunny day. Comrade Kiran and CPN-M should read the writings on the wall and should move quickly to clear the confusions. Otherwise, people themselves will take out from the confusions that Comrade Kiran and CPN-M have created. Naturally, after the party congress in December or January, the waiting period will be finally over.http://thenextfront.com/?p=2357#comment-837

Uncertain Nepali Political Courses

The analysis here presents the objective reality as it is on the ground. Moreover, the top political leaders of all major parties have become notoriously anarchic. They are now the target where people wish through stones.

The state apparatus is more corrupt, more corrupt than it was during Panchayati rule. Everywhere, thugs attached to state mechanism are ready to jump to grab whatever is available. Inflation has been ever going up. People are desperately waiting for an alternative to emerge that could through away this anarchy of political thugs. In this situation, it is easy to conclude that the contradiction between the masses and the reactionary ruling elites is galloping to reach to its optimal point.

Now, there could be new courses that would take place very soon. Either the society will see regressive change or ill go for progressive change. At this moment, there are two viable forces to command such political courses. The first course, the regressive course could be led by some former Panchayati leaders or Generals or royals. Analysing the availability of such leaders and amalgamation of such forces, General Rukmangad Katawal could lead such force as he has a strong backing in the Nepal army. Former royal could contribute financial resources and former Panchas could provide political infrastructure for this course. Thus, the regressive camp could stage political come back at the cost of present day thugs. If they will snatch state power, particularly after September 2012 when a new General will take control of the Army, the political thugs will have no face to show as they would have finished themselves as credible politician after another extension of CA and people will be at boiling point; even the regressive take over will see its welcome. India and the US will provide some cover up for such take over and that would be the end of the realm of present day political thugs. This would be good news but just for a day or two. The people will lose once again and will start sufferings under a more coercive regime. On the other side, the revolutionaries, if they will seize opportunities and will go back to people, get them organized, reorganize PLA, create united front and re-launch the revolutionary tempest, it will provide new hope, new synergy and new option.

In practice, if the revolutionaries within Unified Maoist Party take decisive step, reorganize the party with or without Kiran, get united with Matrika led party and Mani group, form united front with different nationalities’ organizations and mobilize the masses, Nepali society will see the beginning of a decisive phase of Nepali revolution. But, the leaders including comrade Basanta are ready for such course? This is a million dollar question.Comrade Basanta has rightly analysed the past and has presented the present situation with some critical perspective, but what he will say for people who are at the boiling point of frustration, anger and hardship? Should they read revolutionary leaders and do nothing? Should they continue suffering under the anarchic rule of present day political thugs? Should they line up behind General Katawal? Or, they could have option made available by the progressives and revolutionaries? Please tell the people what they should do?

Comments on the Baidya-Badal's Appeal to PLA

Divash Sharma

Kamaraditya is right when he says that just appeal would not be enough. What the revolutionary platform within the UCPN (M) wants to achieve and what course they would select? They might have the following options available.

1. Course Correction: Chunabang was the departure point from where the present two courses originated in their present forms. Through surgical process, the revolutionaries could disconnect them from the revisionist/liquidationist line of Prachanda-Baburam faction. This would made the course corrected and would reignite the tactical revolutionary line, spirit and actions.

2. Continue Grumbling and submerge within the revisionist course: Making death, somehow, normal and natural, the revolutionaries could continue grumbling and the death waiting them would take them on its lap. Staying together with Prachanda-Baburam camp for a longer period of time would result in digesting the revolutionaries by that camp and the impact would be more fertilizer for strengthening regression.

3. Retire and stop being misleading to yourselves/to others: Rather than being a part of the process that has been destroying the revolutionary path, gains, hopes and structure; retire. The retirement would give you peace of mind and others would understand the reality that though you attempted but failed. They would consider your retirement as one MOST important act that did not mislead people.

When the revolutionaries decide their course of action, their acts would follow in line with. Option 2 and 3, simply ask non-actions, whereas the first action needs action, thinking, courage, commitment and many more. This would be the historic decision and would invite sacrifice. If you are ready to sacrifice, you have every right to ask for sacrifice from the PLA. Your two-liners may not do wonders if you are still under thick cloud. If the revolutionaries would go for clear break, in that case they may ask the PLA to go for any of the following available options.

1. Rebel: Go back to your nest. Ye have made sacrifices in the past, continue your historic tradition. We have formed our vanguard now. Let’s reassemble around it.

2. Be pragmatic: Collect cash opting for “vol.ret.”, use it for meeting the dire needs of your families, join revolution and strengthen the recreated PLA.

3. Go by your choice, please never harm the baby, “the revolution”, you gave birth and you nurtured so dearly. Be aware of Prachanada-Baburam’s harmful acts and deeds.

Now, there is one simple question to the revolutionary platform – when will you finally decide your future course? Now? After some months? Never?

Posted on www.thenextfront.com