If what happened in the streets of Kathmandu is any indication, the Maoists are starting to lose the goodwill they had from the people immediately following the elections. After the elections, they had been absolved of all their past sins. People’s smiles turned to grins as they saw one after another Nepali political heavyweights defeated. Even those who did not vote for the Maoists seemed happy that there were finally new faces and the CA was inclusive. But the political stalemate and the return of politics as usual were starting to have their toll on the national psyche. Yet, we were all still in a wait-and-see mode. It was the NC that was usually blamed for the stalemate. The press' attempts to highlight some atrocities – such as the attack on Ram Sharan Mahat – was tolerated, if not received with glee. But the Ram Hari Shrestha murder case has changed all that.
We still do not know the details of what exactly happened. But two things are clear. The Maoists did it. And they were – and presumably are – trying to cover up. And all this goes to the highest levels. Their stories have changed time and again. Rumors are that the doctor was told to keep mum. And the way the whole murder happened, in all its heinousness, has captured the public imagination.
When the Young Communist League was formed in December 2006, it was a political masterstroke for the Maoists. It was a way to keep the restive top level youth leaders, some from the PLA, engaged in day to day politics. It created a disciplined and extensive network of youth that was ultimately utilized to great efficiency during the elections. It provided a platform for youths not associated with the Maoists during the insurgency to join the mainstream party. In the absence of proper governmental service and justice delivery, it was envisioned to be an alternative that the people would embrace. Its nexus with petty criminals in urban areas would provide it with money, as well as alleviate crime to a certain degree targeted at the lower middle class. In short, the Maoists had everything to gain from a body like that, apart from sporadic cases of high-handedness. And it was just like that in the beginning days - occassional brazen acts followed by Prachanda's embarassing apologies and assurances.
But important events happened following that that militarized the YCL. Immediately after the formation of the YCL, the Madhesh movement happened. The YCL had to be used to counter attacks against the Maoists. As the YCL leaders understood the power of the network they had, they resorted to bad behavior. And the confrontation politics played at the center – during postponements of elections, during the government walk out of the Maoists – made the YCL further combative. The free pass that they got during the elections emboldened them to new heights. And I think that their return to the Military Mindset during the elections that matched insurgency period levels was also crucial.
It will be imperative for the Maoists now to review the structure of the YCL, its functions, and its leadership. It is a shame that this tidal wave of youth energy that could have been harnessed for the good has been badly spent. As brilliant strategists, the Maoists probably will be able to formulate a way to transform the organization.
But first, the healing process of this brutal murder has to start. The Maoists will have to apologize, cooperate, and then punish all those involved, including those indirectly and in the cover-up. If not, this public dissillusionment with the Maoists will become a serious trend.
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3 comments:
i should add that this is only one line of reasoning. the basic premise of this line accepts that the maoists are genuinely working to change Nepal throught democratic means.
however, there are reasons to doubt that. it could be said that for the maoists, the peace agreement and CA elections are only means to achieve a larger aim - a totalitarian maoist regime.
YCL too is a similar tool to achieve this end. i had once read an article pointing to similarities between the YCL and Lenin's youth group and their use of terror tactics.
as nepalitimes points out:
Why is it so difficult for Pushpa Kamal Dahal to say sorry? He owns up to the killing, says there will be an investigation, the guilty will be punished and the victim’s family will be compensated. But not a word of remorse or contrition. And it is the same with all other acts of YCL brutality. The standard operating procedure is first to go into denial, and when the evidence becomes too glaring, dismiss it as the work of a few rogue elements. And if public outrage mounts, a statement is released promising compensation and blaming “reactionaries” and “counter-revolutionaries” for a “conspiracy”.
so it could well be Prachanda following the motions, all the while allowingthe YCL to function as they want.
and a third line, probably the most reasonable, would be... the Maoists are pragmatists and are doing as the moment requires them to do to perpetuate their hold on power.
i found your first line of reasoning (the original post) revisionist - it revises history in terms favorable to the maobaadi.
i would be inclined to believe 3 but certainly with elements of 2.
i believe the YCL was organized, in part, to be a 'terrorisor' in Bush-speak. talk sweet from high up - govt. ministries or high ranking party officials. but the reality is, not all people will buy the sweet talk. of the people who don't buy the sweet talk, most can be brought in line with direct threats of violence. for the threats of violence to be credible, there has to be some violence, sometimes very brutal, sometimes playful.
it's cold and calculating, yes, but it's strategy. or rather, a tactic in the larger strategic scheme.
i do not believe P is "allowing the YCL to function as they want". i believe the YCL functions as P (or the maobaadi politburo as the case might be) wants. i really do not think the maobaadi organization lacks discipline, quite the contrary.
i should also add that i don't think wanting a "totalitarian maoist regime" is mutually exclusive to a desire to "change Nepal".
democracy (whatever that might be), however, is out of the picture.
speaking from my head (not my heart), i think anyone who believes the maobaadi stand for "democracy" is a fool. in fact, i don't think anyone believes the maobaadi stand for democracy.
that does not mean they will get what they want. indeed, that does not even necessarily mean the maobaadi are bad.
but enough with the equivocations, i will summarize: YCL, with its accompanying social good deeds and the brutal acts, is part of the larger Moabaadi strategy. and it has worked exactly according to plan so far.
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