Separatism in South Asia: Lessons for Nepal

Mahendra Lawoti

As Nepal debates the model of federalism it should adopt, it will be fruitful to review experiences from elsewhere. Not only should we study the various forms of federalism but also we should analyse violent conflicts associated with autonomy and separatist movements, breakup of countries as well as management of autonomy and separatist movements. South Asia is an excellent region to study for this purpose, not only because other countries are similar to Nepal socio-economically and culturally, but also because the region has seen all the abovementioned cases played out.

The Sri Lankan Tamils demanded an autonomous region after the Sinhalese majoritarian governments formulated policies that discriminated against them right after independence. The minority Tamils could not influence policy-making process. In the 60s and 70s, the government signed autonomy accords with the Tamils but did not implement them. Rejection of federalism alienated Tamils further, fuelling the separatist movement. The Tamils began to support the radical ‘boys,’ the Tamil Tigers, after the growth in perception that moderate Tamil parties were unable to deliver autonomy. The irony about the Sri Lankan conflict is that the rejection of federalism fuelled it but today federalism may not be sufficient to settle it.

The concept of Pakistan emerged with the rejection of demand for federalism. During the Indian independence movement, the Muslim League demanded religious federalism. They perceived that without autonomy to Muslims, Hindu values and norms would be imposed on them. The Indian National Congress rejected the demand. In response, the ML proposed a separate State of Pakistan. When the Congress finally agreed to federalism along religious line, it was too little too late.

The independence of Bangladesh too is associated with rejection of demands for autonomy. Pakistan flirted with federalism by granting Bangladesh federal powers, nonetheless power remained centralised in West Pakistan. The Bengalis of East Pakistan demanded greater autonomy. Led by the Awami League leader Mujib, they came up with the famous six-point demands. West Pakistan rejected the demands and imprisoned Mujib. It sparked the independence movement, which Pakistan attempted to suppress. Bangladesh became independent after India intervened on behalf of East Pakistan. The lesson from Bangladesh is that centralised federalism and suppression of autonomy movements can backfire.

Post-independence India managed many of its conflicts by adopting linguistic and ethnic federalism. Nehru divided India along administrative federal units. Linguistic groups opposed it and launched a movement for linguistic federalism. With the bitter memory of partition still afresh, Nehru conceded to the demands and re-divided India on linguistic lines in the 50s. It not only settled the conflict but also eroded the base for the separatist movement in Tamil Nadu. People see no reason to engage in separatist movements, which are costly, if they are granted autonomy and right to self-government. Separatist movements get support when autonomy is denied.

India addressed the separatist Punjab movement by granting more autonomy. Likewise, many separatist and autonomy movements in the North East were addressed by granting autonomy along ethnic lines. Of course all problems of the North East are not settled and some critics in Nepal point this as an inadequacy of ethnic federalism. They are off the mark. Could the violent separatist movements of the Mizos, Manipuris have been managed without regional autonomy? The shortcoming in India, if any, was that the centre used the power of the Upper House to create new regions only after long violent movements. A peaceful way to grant autonomy would have settled the problems, at a lesser cost.Though India has successfully managed many conflicts, the Kashmir problem has grown. While India granted more autonomy in other parts of the country, the centre took back substantive autonomy granted to J&K. This also supports the thesis that autonomy can mitigate conflicts while taking it away can create big problems.The lessons for Nepal are clear. When ethnic and linguistic federalism were denied, it led to violent conflicts, separatist movements, and even formation of new states. When demands for autonomy were met, on the other hand, many violent conflicts were settled and separatist movement died down. It is also clear that ethnic/linguistic autonomy, if granted in early phase of the movements, can help douse separatist movements. However, settlement is much harder once the movements gain momentum. And repression only fuels the movements. Autonomy movements are gaining momentum in Nepal. Their trajectories will depend on the response of the state still controlled by a dominant group.

Source: The Himalayan Times, July 9, 2007

Maoists Transfer Nepalese Money from India to Switzerland

Halshi Bash

I am a Swiss national and practice Buddhism. I have been to Lumbini, Nepal, the birth place of Siddharta Gautama and other places like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lukla, Gorkha and several Himalayan regions, many times. I love Nepal the way Nepalese do.
The reason I have so much affection towards Nepal may be because my professor and mentor, the late Tony Hagen, renowned economist and very popular with Nepalese people, loveed Nepal more than his own country, Switzerland. He never tired of talking about Nepal.

Though I am a native of Zurich, the German speaking city of Switzerland, I am currently residing in Rue de Rhone (Rhone lane or avenue) of Geneva, the French speaking part of the Swiss confederation. I have been here three years because of my employment contract with the Swiss Bank, "Credit Suisse". All of Switzerland's major banks are located within walking distance.
It is the reason most of the employees of different banks come to a very popular eatery, "cafe de Geneve" to have their breakfast and lunch. At these times, we always try to outsmart our colleagues and friends of different banks by initiating a very hot or new item of talk. Swiss tradition is that whoever has a new or very hot topic is considered to be a smarter than the others. But the topic should be genuine and authentic. Anyone can lose his or her image for a whole lifetime if he or she tells an unreliable story. So, the Swiss people have a habit of speaking based on authenticity.

Very recently, we were all outsmarted by our friends at another bank. I was particularly shocked because the topic was related to Nepal, my dream country and by faith my mother country because Buddhism was born in Nepal.
The very hot item of talk was so shocking that if the people of Nepal listened to it, they would have a million watt electric shock. The leaders of the Maoist Party including ministers of the present Nepal Government, namely, Prachanda (Pushpa K. Dahal), Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Krishna Mahara, Hishila Yami and others were here to transfer a huge amount of money from Indian Banks to major Swiss Banks. The amount of that money is even more shocking because it is in the hundreds of million Euros. If the people of Nepal ask the Swiss Government, it can influence the Swiss Banks for the disclosure of the amounts and the account holders.

For my part, as a person having deep affection towards Nepal, I will do my best to find things in details but the Nepali people should understand my limitations as an Assistant Manager. The Nepali people should ask the Swiss Government to freeze the money as soon as possible otherwise the Swiss politicians could be bribed by the Banks to keep the Bank's secrecy.
It has also been said that some European Union members are helping the Maoists to transfer money to Swiss Banks. Why are the capitalist western countries helping extremist radical Maoists is beyond my understanding which could be a good subject of research for the people of Nepal.

Halshi BashGeneve, Switzerland (CH)

Source: News Blaze, July 7, 2007

A Much Maligned Plan

King Gyanendra's birthday celebration plan said to be organized by his adherents and conformists has drawn flak from different quarters. Soon after the envoys from the European Union disclosed that they would not attend the King's so called birthday celebration event, the political parties, professional groups and civil society organizations have come down heavily upon it. The student wings of the political parties organized protest rallies, the other day, and asked the government through a written note to ban the so called plan as this was aimed at hatching conspiracy against the election to the constituent assembly. Moreover, political party leaders speaking at a function, the other day, pressed on the government to prohibit the King from organizing the so called show in defiance of the national law and democratic values as allowing this event would amount to acquiescing into autocracy and feudalism.

The wrath demonstrated and the anger expressed against the King and his birthday celebration plan indicates that the monarchy in Nepal has been disputed as an institution . The Interim Constitution has not left any room for the King to exercise authority and seek any role. It would not be legal from his part to overstep the boundaries set by the basic law of the land. The position of the King, according to the constitution, is suspended and deactivated . As the prime minister is enjoined with power both of the head of the state and the government, the position of the monarchy is under severe scrutiny. The first meeting of the constituent assembly will discuss and decide about the fate of monarchy in Nepal, according to the Interim Constitution. What is crucial for Nepal right now is to create a congenial atmosphere for conducting the polls to the constituent assembly so that the delicate political and social issues were addressed and tackled properly . No forces in the country should seek to create controversies and disturb the situation. The King should refrain himself from nursing any ambition and abide by the law of the land as no institutions in the democratic Nepal is above the law. Any attempt to transgress the limits of the rule of law and democracy would be resisted by the people.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 9, 2007

Cater To Rural Areas

Following the announcement of the date for elections to the constituent assembly, debate on restructuring of the state has gathered speed and momentum. Colloquiums and symposiums have been organized to elicit opinions on issues involved on the subject and clarify how different approaches and perspectives on state restructuring relate and contradict each other. The forums organized to promote discussions on the issues relevant to state restructuring are very important because it is only through these type of interactions and dialogues that the different views clash and find way out to arrive at convergence and consensus. The subject of state restructuring is connected to the question of election to the constituent assembly . Moreover, it is a very critical subject for which the Nepalese people should have their free and meaningful participation . In order that the Nepalese people have sufficient space to contribute to discussions on the subject, forums should be created at different levels from the centre down to the local level. The making of the constitution through popularly elected the constituent assembly is premised upon the notion that the ordinary people participate in the process and endorse the provisions enshrined in the basic law of the land.

However, when it is found that many forums and discussions are concentrated in the accessible and urban areas of the country, very limited opportunities exist for ordinary people to vent and express their views and opinions. As has been emphasized time and again, the constituent assembly has been a much vaunted methodology and process for making the constitution by means of an unhindered and unchecked participation of the people. But, unless people are empowered to intervene and provide inputs in the process and substance of the constitution making popular participation and endorsement would be utterly lacking . Moreover, the question of state restructuring is a theme for which all Nepalese should exercise their agency to shape and define the elements of the new Nepali state. For this to happen and gain new thrust and dimension, it is necessary that the debates and discussion that are limited to the cities and some urban areas of the country be allowed to reach out to the rural areas of the country.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 9, 2007

Colours To Cure?

P. Gopakumar

THE use of colour as a therapy is nothing new to the modern world. However, its application and awareness are limited. The common belief is that it is the psychiatrists who use colours largely for a cure. Let's take a peep into how colours and light offer a cure.

Negative force

Light is the mask of the creator. All life on earth depends on light from the sun, a source of life and energy. Colour is nothing more than the different qualities of light. Light is the masculine or positive force in nature; colour is the feminine of negative force.

When we take away the motion of light or colour, we have no awareness of the appearance of matter. We receive all knowledge of the universe through these electro-magnetic radiations. White light contains the energies of all elements and chemicals found in the sun. The white light of the sun is absorbed from the atmosphere by the physical body and is split into component colour energies, which in turn flow to different parts of the body so that we can see them. Light is a force which stimulates growth. Every living thing depends upon it to build and maintain its form. Light brings about chemical changes in nature. By changing the qualities of light, we can also bring about chemical changes in the body. Therefore, light, whose source is solar energy, is one of nature's healing forces.

In 1665, Sir Isaac Newton focused sunlight through a prism and found the presence of the seven basic colours. The human body is also a prism that reflects this white light. Colour therapy is the science of the use of different colours to change or maintain vibrations of the body to the frequency, which signifies good health and harmony. Healing by means of colours was the first type of therapy used by humans. It is nature's own method of keeping the body in balance with the rhythms of life. Colour expresses the way we think. Our emotions and actions affect the electro-magnetic field, which surrounds us and is reflected in our aura. Colour can help restore health when a blockage or imbalance of this energy has resulted in disease.

The use of colour can help to restore vitality to the etheric body through the projection of specific colour rays, which are then absorbed by the chakra centres. The pituitary gland transforms these colours into revitalising energies to rebuild the centres that are lacking energy. Colour healing shows us how to make light work for us. The use of colour is one of the many natural tools available to help us walk in balance with the universe. Life is colour, and each organ has specific colour. Each colour has intelligence, and works selectively. Colour is vibratory energy that can activate a particular organ, gland and system in the body. The application of the correct frequency on the electro-magnetic force field will change the altered function of the body and help return it to its original patterns. It is this energy which is the result of applying colour that is important in the healing process. This method of healing will create harmony and balance in the mind and in the body. Colour therapy is very effective because it helps to maintain this balance.

Colour healing is not only a physical but also a spiritual force, and, thus, forms a link between our physical bodies and the finer forces, or vibration, of the higher levels of consciousness, or spiritual growth. Colour is the bridge between our inner and outer bodies. The vibrations of colour are energy of the life force itself and are here to aid us in our growth and progress towards the oneness, which is our ultimate purpose. The more intimate our colour experiences become, the more attuned we will become with the universe.We have a quota of ultra-violet light most of us do not fulfil because so many modern products cut out that portion of the spectrum and because we do not spend enough time out of doors. We can increase our exposure to the full spectrum of light by simply being out in the sun more. Light automatically replaces darkness.

Warm colours increase activity and circulation and stimulate function. Red, orange and yellow are warm colours. A cool colour decreases activity and circulation. It will retard the function. A toning colour helps to promote the function. Blue, indigo and violet are the cool colours. Green colour is the toning colour, which has a self-regulating feature. Blue, indigo and violet are acid rays. Red, orange and yellow are alkaline rays. Green is in the category of a neutral ray.

Balancing actions

Colour represents chemical potencies in higher octaves of vibration. There is a particular colour that will stimulate each of the organ systems in the body. By knowing the action of the different colours upon the different organ systems, the application of the correct colour will help to balance the actions of any system that has gone out of balance in its function or condition.

Source: The Rising Nepal, July 9, 2007