Be serious and sensible
Be serious and sensible
The Federal Alliance (FA) has decided to
intensify its political struggle by launching relay hunger strike from June 7
to July 15 in Kathmandu and other districts to exert pressure on the Oli led
government to fulfil its political and constitutional demands “FA cadres,
leaders to launch relay hunger strike” (THT, 31 May, Page 2. It is their
democratic rights to stage peaceful protest against the state which does not
seem disturbed by the FA’s ongoing agitation. It is said that the relay hunger
strike is the highest form of peaceful movement in a democracy which should be
seriously taken by the ruling parties. However, looking closely at the PM Oli’s
working style; it does not seem that the ongoing political tussle in between
the FA and the government will end soon.
The FA’s Kathmandu-centric agitation has
been going on peacefully. No serous incidents have occurred so far which
indicates that the cadres of FA and security forces are showing maximum
restrains in order to avoid human casualties. Otherwise, Madhes based political
agitation during the last seven months remained to be more violent causing a
huge number of human casualties. About 50 innocent people lost their lives due
to excessive use of security forces as claimed by the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) during its field observation. If the Oli led government continues
to undermine the FA’s agitation, as it is doing now and did in the past, there
does not seem chances of coming to political consensus in near future which
could be very unfortunate for both the political parties and the nation.
On the other hand, Chairperson Upendra
Yadav continues to saying that the constitution should be rewritten through a
third people’s movement which does not seem politically palatable “Upendra
Yadav warns FA will issue new statute” (THT, 31 May, Page 5). However, it is
high time for the ruling parties to be serious and sensible to bring the
agitating forces on the negotiating table to forge consensus on political and
constitutional issues at the soonest possible. Otherwise, the chances of going
out the ongoing political movement of its hand seem very high if it is not
properly and timely handled. It is not only the Madhesi out in the streets.
Now, the Janajati and disadvantaged groups have also joined the agitation. The
level of frustration and dissatisfaction among the agitating forces towards the
apathy of the government is gradually increasing which might be politically
very expensive for the Oli led government in the days to come.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
