Nepal at Crossroads
FDRN: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal(proposed)
The three prominent issues Nepal is facing at the end of 2007 are:
*Federalism
*Electoral System
*Republic Vs Monarchy
Madhesi & Indigenous Movement
The demands of Madhesi & other agitating indigenous groups are:
*their own states under the central federal rule
*Fully Proportional Electoral System(FPS) for the Constituent Assembly(CA) polls.
Madhesi demand of declaring the whole Southern Stretch, the Tarai, as one single Madhes state may not be acceptable to other indigenous groups like Tharuwans sharing the same land.
Similarly, the demarcation of overlapping Limbuwan & Khambuwan states in the hills are also problematic.
However, the demands of identity & representation can not be ignored any longer,and-must be solved through dialogue, negotiations, or third party mediation(the UN).
Monarchy Vs Republic
Nepali type of monarchical institution which represents one particular religion, culture, & ethnic identity works well only in largely homogeneous societies.
A country as heterogeneous as Nepal in terms of racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, & linguistic diversity can not sustain monarchy within modern democratic parameters.
Hence, the future course of events now depends on two key issues:
*Whether the Seven Party Alliance(SPA) takes into confidence the various ethnic & regional groups to conduct the CA Polls by mid-April as promised.
*Whether the King accepts the SPA decisions regarding monarchy and abdicates the throne voluntarily if necessary.
Despite the fears of more chaos by some analysts, the demands of all armed and non-armed groups from the hills to the plains must be addressed peacefully even if that requires adoption of federalism, republic, & FPS for the CA polls.
At the personal level, everyone should learn some form meditation technique like Vipassana, and cultivate a spiritual but not dogmatic outlook in their life.
Happy New Year to All.
</a
human rights
Carol said,
January 2, 2008 at 9:14 am
Peaceful and Happy New Year to you…coming to you all the way from New Hampshire USA.
Peace.
Carol
Nepal Peace said,
January 4, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I still remember that election, “Bahudal or Nirdal”? All the parties, leaders who are in power right now wanted “Bahudal”. But, majority of Nepalese voted for “Nirdal”. Defeated “Bahudal” still not happy. Late King Birendra formed “Bahudaliya “ interim government. But “Bahudal”, parties started fighting each other for the gift. Peaceful, beautiful and touristic place became violent and poorer along with “Bahudaliya”system. Too many parties in a small country main problem right now. The elections in “Nirdaliya” system were inexpensive and always on time. Representatives of minorities used to be nominated in the house. Powerless King Gyanendra is happy and will be happy with his crown. He tried his best to bring peace in Nepal which his brother, late king Birendra wanted. In short, King Gyanendra is not the root problem in Nepal. Personal opinion.
DIVAS said,
January 5, 2008 at 11:21 am
Nepal Peace, the question here is not of King G.
How to accomodate all the conteding ethnic groups then?
Plz elaborate.
thanks.