Commentary: Our Call to Action

Kathmandu, Sept 11: It has been almost three weeks since the eight police personnel and a two-year old child were brutally murdered in Tikapur. At least 34 people have lost their precious lives in the aftermath of the six-province deal signed by the four biggest political parties. The southern parts of the country have been shut for almost a month now. Schools are closed. People are struggling to make a living. Our national economy has been hit hard. We cannot afford to prolong this crisis.

Against this backdrop, it is astonishing that not a single national leader has visited the areas affected by the recent violence and protests. It appears they are too busy playing their own political games in Kathmandu, regardless of what is happening in the rest of the country. We have repeatedly asked the leaders to visit Tarai-Madhes and make joint appeals to the people for calm and unity. Kathmandu's indifference to their pain has only helped extremists raise their voice for, among other things, secession.Some of those using the uprising in the south to foster violence and create deeper fault-lines between the people should not be allowed to get louder than the voices that are calling for meaningful dialogue. We have come a long way since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2006. Despite a deeply flawed leadership at the center, we have always found ways to solve the most difficult problems through dialogue. Mere knee-jerk reaction to the crisis is not enough. The leadership has to respond to the calls for inclusion. That is the only magic bullet at hand.

Our geo-politics is tricky. We are bound to end up inviting in outside players if we fail to address the aspirations of the diverse sets of people within our boundaries. South Sudan is a perfect allegory for our future if we keep on ignoring the dissatisfaction of people who want to be part of the new constitution.

The leadership in Kathmandu should be open to re-examining the proposed federalism project with a fresh mindset. We have barely begun the long and difficult journey of creating a more perfect country; and we cannot right the wrongs of history overnight. People's desire for change has to be heard, and addressed properly. Alienating one or the other group will only invite further chaos. The Tarai was a bastion of those fighting against autocracy in the past. Their aspirations are the aspirations of us all.

The eight policemen didn't have to die; the two-year old's death was not necessary. They were the victims of criminal acts and the perpetrators should face justice. Over two dozen innocent people need not have lost their lives. Those who died are all our own people. They too had dreams of a united and strong Nepal.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." The crazed episodes of killings in the south must end from all sides. The crisis of confidence between the big political parties and Madhes-based parties has to come to an end. Devolution of power to the people is not about "giving" and "taking." The new constitution is our collective effort to repurpose our efforts to build a better and prosperous Nepal.

Without delay, the top leaders of all the major political parties, including the Madhes-based ones, should embark on a week-long journey to the south. They have to explain the issues of federalism, inclusion and others to the people. They have to put an end to the extremist voices, and assure the people that the Nepal we want to reflect in the new constitution is for all, not just for a few segments of society. Assure them that those issues will be seriously looked into, and inspire the people to work for a stronger and better Nepal.

Twitter:@subhash580

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