Bruised Madhes
Never before in the history of Nepal has the role of Madhesi leaders and parliamentarians been so crucial and so indispensable. Never even during the 11-year Maoist insurgency had the situation seemed so perilous. That is because the Maoist leadership took a diversion when confronted with a choice that would lead to a flare up of ethnic hatred. But the JTMM factions (Goit and Jwala Singh) are waging their armed rebellion on an ethnic plank, something which is extremely dangerous, not only for the integrity of the country, but for humanity. Comparing the situation to Rwanda, Sri Lanka or Sudan would be overstating it, but the risks cannot be ignored. If Madhesi leaders act promptly and effectively, the sporadic flare-ups in Madhes can be doused before the situation explodes into full-fledged civil war. But Madhesi leaders appear apathetic about the potential risks and seem to be scrambling to join the Madhesi band-wagon without really weighing the pros and cons.
It requires courage, honesty and goodness of heart to be a leader. Leaders should be able to take a clear line, and do so publicly. We know most of our Madhesi leaders are not in favor of ethnic cleansing of hill people from the terai, but they have been shying away from flaying sternly any move in that direction. If they keep mum now for fear of being labeled pro-hill, they will be responsible for any racial war that might engulf the country. The Madhesi people are definitely not for that. They want peace, harmony, development and prosperity. But it requires leaders to articulate the public's preferences. That is why Madhes is calling out for a conscious move in the right direction from its sons. Unfortunately Madhesi leaders of the NC, UML, the Maoists, NC(D), MPRF, and Madhesi intellectuals are refraining from speaking out in favor of national unity and flaying the wrongful goings-on in Madhes.
Why is the Madesh situation deteriorating so fast? It's mainly because Madhesi leaders are more concerned about protecting their individual turfs. As a result, members of political parties that fought so hard to reinstate parliament are now trying to undermine the importance of that very parliament by obstructing its proceedings. The government also seems quite feckless in the face of the Madhesi imbroglio. The formation of one committee after another has not borne fruit because the leaders do not really know how to address the situation. The government needs a two-prong strategy. It has to take strong action against people resorting to violence, and deal respectfully with people who have been raising the justified demands of Madhesis. The major problem confronting the country now is not the monarchy or election of a constituent assembly. It is the Madhesi movement, some factions of which are deliberately trying to push the country into civil war.
Source: The Kathmandu Post, April 28, 2007
