It was a sight to behold. Tens of thousands of people from across the Tarai belt linked their hands to form, according to the United Democratic Madheshi Front (UDMF), the organizer, the 'longest human chain' that has ever been put together. If an unbroken chain had actually been formed on the 1,155-km-long East-West Postal Highway, it would easily beat the previous record set in Bangladesh. In 2004, over four million Bangladeshis had linked their hands to form a 1,050-km-long human chain to protest against the BNP-party led government and demand fresh polls. The healthy and voluntary participation of people from all walks in the human chain on Thursday was the strongest indication so far that a big section of Madheshis and Tharus were dissatisfied with at least parts of the new constitution. It was refreshing too. For most of the past month and a half, there have been violent protests in the Tarai belt, in which over 40 people were killed, including nine policemen. This use of wanton violence, both from the side of the state as well as the protestors, was deplorable. In no condition can violence be justified.Yes, Madheshis and Tharus had genuine grievances. But the use of violence by Madheshi parties to press for their demands had also alienated many Nepalis, including Madheshis, who would otherwise have expressed solidarity with protests. Use of violence had also overshadowed their legitimate demands. Which is why the human chain on Thursday was so good to see. The overwhelming participation of people, again, showed their preference for non-violent protest. The human chain was timely too, formed as it was on the eve of the 143rd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. We would like to urge all political actors in Nepal to realize the potency of Gandhian non-violent protests. It was not a coincidence that the novel and nonviolent means of protest seen on Thursday was hailed by all communities. (Dr Govinda KC's satyagraha against the medical mafia is another worthy example.) This shows that it is also wrong to try to neatly divide the Nepali society into all-encompassing categories like Madheshis and Pahades, each, seemingly, with distinct set of beliefs and value systems. The desire for freedom and life of dignity, in fact, is common to all human beings.
Which is why coercive measures that trample on people's right to freedom and dignified existence are ultimately counterproductive. Which is why we have long argued that forcible strikes and shutdowns cannot be justified in a democracy. Thursday's human chain, in comparison, was a breath of fresh air. Sadly, our political class has been rather unimaginative, and they time and again resort to the same old violent means of protests, not realizing that they are alienating many more people than they are converting in favor of their cause. But the state is also partly to blame. If it's seen as responding only to violent protests, someone or the other will always be looking to employ violence to press for their demands. There has to be a clear message from the state that it is always ready to listen to the genuine grievances of its people if such grievances are expressed through (and only through) peaceful means.
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