Unspoken Voices

Narayan Prasad Wagle

The silent majority does not come to the streets, does not chant slogans or take up arms to have their demands fulfilled. They just remain silent though they are in the majority. Political groups, hooligans and warlords claim to represent them, but the silent majority is usually unheard of, exploited and misrepresented. This is what is happening in the ever-complicated political scene of Nepal. There is a visible difference between what the people actually want and what the various political groups are demanding and the strategies they are applying to get their demands met.

FederalismAlmost all the political parties have projected federalism as the chief demand of the people, and this was the agenda that fuelled the aggressive protests in the terai. But if we look at the other side of the coin, the reality is completely different. A study carried out by the Asia Foundation some months ago demonstrated that only a small portion of the population had any knowledge about what the constituent assembly stood for. From this, we can infer that an even smaller portion of the population understands what federalism stands for. Then how are we to believe that the people have blindly supported the demand for federalism without understanding it? Even if they did, is it meaningful? Similarly, republicanism or the retention of monarchy has been projected as the major issue of the people in the CA polls and is placed atop all other agenda. However, the silent majority has little interest on the hackneyed issue since they see no direct link between the issue of retaining or abolishing the monarchy and the serious concerns of their daily lives. Their inability to see a link between the issue of monarchy and the their daily lives is sometimes described by clever political leaders as lack of political consciousness and ignorance and, hence, they emphasise the need for an awareness campaign. But the silent majority does not accept this notion that underestimates them. Though they do not know much about republicanism, they do understand that republicanism per se will not ensure that they will not have to die for lack of food, housing or health care facilities. Also that it will not ensure an education that is free for their sons and daughters.

They also understand that republicanism per se will not put a stop to the exodus of cheap Nepalese labour into the global market. For them, the right to life, education and basic health care facilities is more important than republicanism, federalism and the like. Probably, the silent majority will be happier with the inclusion of the right to life, right to education, right to attainable standards of health and right to work. Both armed groups and agitators are using strategies and tactics that go against the will of the silent majority while claiming that they represent the people. As we have seen in the past, general strikes and shutdowns of schools and transportation have been common weapons of both the agitators and terrorists. It is as clear as broad daylight that the public is spiteful about the general strikes and shutdowns of schools and transportation. In fact, these coercive methods in the name of pressing the government to fulfil their demands are attacks against the lives and liberties of the people. Then, why do they cling to such methods like a leech and shamelessly speak a sheer lie that their cause enjoys great public support? The motive is clear: their interest contradicts with that of the general public, and they want to fulfil it by taking undue advantage of the silent nature of the general public. Nobody has the right to misrepresent the silent majority, frequently referred to as the people. Only in a peaceful process of democracy can the silent majority have their say in national politics, especially through the exercise of their franchise. It is by the votes of this section of the population that unexpected outcomes beyond the arithmetic of renowned analysts are brought about. Otherwise, whether it is in so-called fake democracy of the elite or armed politics, the needs and demands of the silent majority will be ignored, and, as a result, the whole society becomes unstable.

Understanding the peopleAs it is the silent majority that strongly adheres to the norms and values of the society, disregard for this common lot results in lawlessness, and justice of the jungle. But will our political leaders, who turn a deaf ear to the loudest cries, listen and understand the minds of the silent majority? The date for the Constituent Assembly polls has just been set. It is time they went to the hinterlands to interact with the people rather than be bogged down by the demands of the elite.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 5, 2007