Is it just Nepal or the whole world going
through the phase, “civilization in reverse”? After years of struggle to
overcome the deep rooted racism within our society it seems like we are almost
back to the square one!
Demanding federal Nepal is one thing but demanding ethnicity-based
federal Nepal is totally absurd.
Now I am not an expert on the whole ethnicity-based federal
Nepal concept but in my opinion this reason alone should clarify why it is not
a good idea to go ahead with. Our leaders/parties should understand that the
idea is not wise enough in the current situation because there are still thousands
of people in our country who are unaware or ignorant about the true motive
behind the ethnic based state division. More importantly these people need to
understand that there are still so many people in our country who strongly
support discrimination based on caste system. Hence to create states divided in
terms of ethnicity in a country where people are still not liberal enough to
respect each other regardless of their caste and social status is not only a
huge mistake but a suicidal gesture.
Little knowledge is dangerous therefore unless the whole
country doesn’t understand the full concept of equality regardless of caste and
ethnicity; it will be utter foolishness to shove the decorated palate of
ethnically divided states on their table. It is a matter of simple common sense
and willingness towards the longevity of peace among the people to avoid such
horrendous error which will definitely expose us to the landmines of dispute. All
one has to do is think about the impact on the whole county when people will start
using their ethnicity majority to dominate the minority people of other
ethnicity. All the ethnic tolerance we brag about will drown in the chaos of conflict
among people for more power and superiority. And the sad thing is the pride of
calling our country char jaat chattis barna ko sajha phulbari might dissolve in
the polluted swamp of greed (power and corruption).
These days most of us are wondering who actually initiated this
mayhem! We even dwell on the thoughts such as whether it all started as a shortsighted
plan of some political leader/party or is it some cruel hidden agenda to break
this country into pieces? Many of us
discuss all these issues now and then and most of us do not have any idea
regarding the purpose of this chaos and the people behind it. Moreover it
also makes us wonder if it’s our ignorance or irresponsibility that has led us
to this day. The laidback-ness within each of us and the obsession to leave
this country for good or bad must have blinded us so much that we forget to
participate in our simple duties like voting and choosing the appropriate
leaders. Furthermore most of us do not even know exactly what is happening in
this country! Maybe it’s totally our fault or maybe no body ever cared
enough to carefully justify the need of ethnically divided states. But the
truth is this whole idea is still alien to most of us.
Well, for instance let’s forget the aftermaths and focus on
the current situation of our country. Only few days back, there was this news
blaring on the TV, the general secretary of the NEFIN, Ang Kaji Sherpa claimed media was biased and shouted on
top of his voice that they will not spare “Bahun” journalists who are trying to
hinder their bandha programme! Whatever the situation be, discriminating people
over the national television is totally irresponsible and unacceptable, and in
fact a crime.
Now some people might think than am targeting the
Sherpa Community and take this as an attack or insult but the thing is I am
only mentioning what I saw and what my opinions are. Had it been any other
people from any other ethnicity the reaction would have been the same.
The bottom-line is be it state or be it any
other sector, dividing them should never be based on the ethnicity/social
status. Sooner or later the volcano of conflict will surely erupt destroying
the whole country.
Change is good. But it is necessary that the
change lead us to better outcome, fewer conflicts and peace. The indefinite
bandhas and todfod is an easy way to convince government to agree with the
absurd demands but if we rationally think about these self inflicted and self
harming actions of ours then it will definitely make us realize that we are
living up to the idiom ” afnu khutta ma afaile banchoro hannu.”
No matter what, all we want is peace and development
in this country. And the only way to achieve our goal is by living in perfect harmony,
learn to overlook the ethnicity, religion, social status and even the sexual
preferences. Respect people regardless of what they are, where they belong and
what lifestyle they choose to live. Nepal will move ahead only when we start
believing in unity. For the sake of whole country let’s forget the differences
and unite as one. And hell, this is not hard for us, we have lived with this culture since the time of our Late King Prithvi Narayan Shah! He united us and encouraged us to live in peace and harmony. This is our history, and
we have always been proud of it. So let’s not destroy what we have preserved and
believed in for years.
Hence, if we must divide, then lets divide states in a way
which will not only help in the development of the country but which will also
helps us maintain peace and harmony. Let’s at least honor those blood and lives that
fought for the unity, equality and peace. May our country prosper with peace :).
