I just finished reading Christopher Hitchens’s take on Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution. For man known for acid dipped words and icy rebuke, Hitchens’s is surprisignly upbeat and positive on Tinusia’s and future and what the revolution might do for the country. I believe he hasn’t had time to study Nepal’s cycle of "revolutions" and the cycle of despair it has innivetibly dragged along.
Nepal is in love with the idea of "revolution". Why not? we have had so many and even though our revolutions start like a teenage love story-sweet and promising and end like an ugly divorce, we still want more.
February 18, 1951, marked the downfall of Rana dictatorship in Nepal and urshered in era of democray, equal right and justice. At least thats what the people were lead to believe. The "2007 B.S revolution", as the event is fondly remembered turned out to be a huge fraud. Only the players were suubstituted, but the game stayed the same. The people were still the cash cows-taxed and worked to death while the shahibs-the political establishement replaced the Ranas, enjoyed the benefit.
Nepal’s divorce from reality was ugly. 1951’s romance brought nightmare of 1960’s coup lead by King Mahendra. Years dragged on, and the discontent among the people was escalating. It was time for another revolution.
Political parties, leaders and activists promised the people-this time it was going to be a real thing. No more cheating, this revolution was for real. After 30 years of autocratic monarchy, 1990’s revoltuion installed a constitutional monarchy and established the poeple as supreme.
So the people believed. This revolution was boon for the political parties, their leaders and the activists. Nepal was not revolutionized, but the leaders surely touched new heights in promoting corruption, medicracity, disregards for the law and disreagrd towards the will of the people.
Yet another revolution had broken Nepal’s heart and soul. After four years of political infighting and jostling for leadership position in government, the leaders were ready put the people through the same old routine. As 1996 rolled in, Nepal was promised a true communist revolution. A classless society, true economic and social justice,independence from international interference and a republic.
Maoist lead insurgency had arrived. This bloody revolution dragged on for 10 years, claimed hundreds of innocent lives, millions in damaged property and ended in 2006-after fulfilling atleast one promise, the republic.
It is reasonable to say that the bloody revolution proved better for Nepal, when we compare the end result; but the costs were too high. Was it all worth the effort? Afterall, the King is gone but the country is still a feudal backwater where the eliete shabis still dominate the affairs and there is still no sign of promised grand constitution-one pill solution for all that ails the country.
Five years since the last revolution, Nepal is on a fast track descending into anarchy. Our blind faith on revolutions and promises made by hollow politicians has badly crushed our soul and the country has become numb. So numb that 12 hours of powercuts, fuel reaching the status of precious metals and lawless streets don’t bother us anymore.
Now, just the term "revolution" stirs ups negative emotions in Nepal ; but Tunisia is sure very excited about their own transformation. They are hopeful that the Jasmine revoltuion will do for them what the decades long autocratic ruler could not-create a just society with enough financial means to take care of its citizens.
Hate to be a party pooper and cold hearted cynic, but fellow revolutions lovers in Tunisia-please keep your hopes in check.
Look at Nepal and understand the fickle nature of revolution. It is enchanting and very addictive ideal, but when it comes to delivering on the promises, revolution is a mean spirited superhero. There are lots of promises made, at the end though its all about them and not about us. The people get stuck with the bill;while the hero sweeps in, basks in glory and leaves behind a mess. People have to clean up, mend the fences-revolution will be long gone by the time the dirty jobs starts.
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