Since the unification period, Nepal has witnessed several conflicts, turmoil and bloodshed for the sake of power in a regular sequence of events. Kotparba, Bhandarkhal Parba and many more intrigues, ploys and massacres formally created the pivotal ground for Ranas to set up their hegemony and rule the country for more than a century. The tragic accident of communist leader Madan Kumar Bhandari, mass murder of the then King Birendra and his entire family is left as an everlasting ambiguity buried under the history of Nepal. The “guiding interests” of all such conflicts, murder-mysteries and assassinations work as a tool to gain and advance political mileage and privilege even today in this 21st century.
Feudal practices and mindset are deeply rooted in this country since the inception of Nepal as a modern state and flourishing as a negative-culture. Politics has become a dirty game of politicians guided by criminal elements and muscle power and money. They always lack the zeal and confidence to work for the people. Politicians didn’t understand that an achievement is possible only through consistent efforts, hard work and dedication. It is very sad that even today, we lack the leader who has such passion, strength and intellect which can guide the country towards the path of progress and prosperity.
If we want to spot out the causes of present Imbroglio we don’t need to go too far. This state-of-affairs is certainly a legacy of the feudalistic, absolutistic and nepotistic culture that has been flourished as the Nepali ‘unique’ culture. It was Ranas who seeded the rotten piles of feudalistic traditions and customs in people's mind in their 103 years long misrule. This legacy is a continuum and in fact, it is analogous to the concept of "Master and slave" inscribed by the colonial powers though Nepal never got colonized by any outsider.
If we perceive it more pragmatically, "Triangular-politics" or the existence of three political powers centres also boosted up persistent political deadlocks in the recent past. Major political changes in Nepal has mandated to three power-centres. Be it the King, Rightist and Leftist (UML) some years back or Rightist, UML and Maoist in the center stage at this moment. Regular occurrence of these circumstances are intensifying the ‘making and breaking’ of coalitions and hampering the smooth political process and people-centered plans and programs.
Post-democratic period of the 90s raised many politicians in the Nepali political arena. Instead of setting democratic values and culture, they put the infant and transitional democracy in more vulnerable and precarious condition. Their unethical behavior and ill-minded working style brought this country into a mess and who were motivated by their self interests. The current conflict today, is largely the legacy of corrupt practices of that period.
Maoist insurgency inflicted so much pain to the people in the name of arm revolution and "Maoist" ideology. This movement may be justifiable from their angle but nevertheless it was brutal which took the lives of many innocent civilians. On the other hand, royal takeover was a big mistake of the king. It created huge gap between the rulers and the ruled raising serious concern on the human rights perspective and resulted disposition of the king and the country has become a republic.
We as responsible citizens are not guided by our inner conscience, rational thoughts and "work culture" but look after for our own individual benefit. We engage in fulfilling our own desires and dispose those who want to do something for the collective benefit of people. We have no "respect" culture. Therefore, this cultural backwardness shams great threat to our future and eventually kindles and promotes long existed authoritarianism and criminalization in the political, economic and social spheres of the country.
For the collective benefit, what we need is the collective effort to transform the centuries old feudal culture. We should adopt new working culture in which one is not pull down by anybody upon his/her success. Accountability should be maintained while performing duties. People need to be praised for their right efforts and combine effort irrespective of their socio-political backgrounds. This will surely bring new and new milestones in our new Nepal
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