Dear sons and daughters of Nepal,

We do not really know what the situation is like in our country. We have heard more rumours and less facts; and we have made our own judgement based on those rumours. Our opinions have been divided into almost two halves. One half supporting the King's move and the other half opposing the action. Almost all of us who are fortunate enough to live in the west at this torrid time are capable to think sensibly on this issue.So lets contemplate with the love for the country and citizens in mind now.

Some of us may have been victims of atrocities committed by the Maoists. Some may have suffered because of the corrupted political leaders. And some of us may have been the victim of injustice in the Panchayat era and at present. So we are expressing our vengeance against those who have made us to suffer. And therefore we are divided. The citizens who are educated, who have seen how democray functions, who know the fruits of social justice in a developed society; we are divided. And this is not a good sign for the future. Tommorow, we have to take the burden of Nepal in our shoulders. We have to hand the nation to our next generation. We have to make sure that we can hand over a peaceful and prosperous nation to our children and die. Otherwise we are not different to the previous generation which never got the oppurtunity like us to see the democracy and prosperity of the western world. Our children will blame us if we fail to do better things for our country.So let's try to be impartial, let's forget our personal interest, let's put away our vengeance against both sides of the debate.With a cool mind let's discuss what can we do at best to resolve the current crisis from our part. I will try to give my assement in the next thread on what can we expect in the near future and what is best for the country in the coming days. Please put your thoughts, unbiased and pragmatic, without spilling your anguish and hatred to all the sides- political parties, monarchy and maoists.I hope all of you will take part in this debate very seriously.
Newuser.

Even during raging Iraq war, media was not blacked out. Instead Americans proposed a very new idea of "embeded reporters" which in most cases brought live televison coverage right from the front line that gave viewers exactly how well the war is progressing and Americans were less intent in random distruction ( they did random destruction in Vietman 25 years ago). Therefore in the end it benifited the Americans by limiting the damage to the image of American soldiers' by being able to moniter their conduct during action in battlefield at least to some extent.

In Nepal it's axactly the opposite. Even the limited coverage has now been totally brought to a halt.

How should we know the conduct of armed forces while implementing military rule ?

new user ji,

I really appreciated your post on magna carta. If my earlier reply sounded otherwise, I sincerely apologize. Being not well-versed in English, I sometiems have a hard time getting the right words, I hope you undrstand.

On other issues, I disagree with your observations. You mis-read my earlier posts, again, could be because of the words I chose. Just as Deep bro said in another thread- Khai Ke Ke... ke ke..

When we discuss internal/doemstic politics, our biases are reflected. We allign oursleves with one side or the other. There's no impartiality. This is teh reason why politics-realted threads in Sajha tend to get heated, full of accusations, labels and adjectives. Its udnerstandable. We love our views, we believe we are right and everybody else is wrong. In this particular thread, in your resposne to me, you accuse me of being undemocratic. I am not undemocratic but I will not go in length to defend myself. I believe in what I believe. You believe democracy can solve all problems, I see democracy creating more problems. I believe taht democracy should be introduced in a phase wise manner, you belive it has to be introduced at once. I support the King's move, you oppose it.

I think we have made ourselves clear in this thread.. and disagreements in this thread should not bar us from engaging in discussions on other issues in future. Differences aside, I enjoy reading your brilliant analysis, and hope to read more of thsoe in coming days on variety of issues.

.Peace and security can be achieved in many other ways, unlike King Gyanendra's way. Yes, that is true. But didn't we have a chance to do that? What were we doing since 1990? What did we do in those 14 years since democracy? Did we work for the peace and liberalisation of Nepal? Did the leaders who assumed the government work for that? No. And that's a BIG No!

Sometimes civil liberties and civil virtues take a backseat. And today is one of those times.

Like we say sometimes "An iron cuts an iron" (translate that to Nepali literally to get the old saying in Nepali, and you'll know what I mean). Today is one of those times.

The useless use of power and democracy by our inefficient leaders demanded the present situation, a coup by the King. And there's nobody to blame than the "leaders" who were supposed to "lead" us and the country.

When one thing fails, make way to another.

Nepal, given the extreme incapability of it's ignorant leaders, cannot survive a democracy for the next few decades. Nepal has to produce more educated population to be able to sustain a well-functioning democracy. Now many may argue that how can Nepal be able to produce more educated people if there is no democracy? Well, you don't need to have democracy to create educated population. The King should now take care of the business to improve the quality and quantity of public education. That is one of the aspects. There are many others too.

But the point is: given the ignorant and uneducated masses of people vying for leadership of world's poorest country, Nepal can't develop. It needs reforms and revolutions that the so-called "democracy" could not deliver.

In 1990 we thought it was time for a change, so we created a revolution and we got "Democracy".

Now it is time to realise that democracy doesn't really work in Nepal.

It's time for another change: going back to the King.

Let us not forget that King Mahendra may have been an autocratic leader of Nepal during his time, but the country did progress during his rule.

Let's hope King Gyanendra serves as purposefully as his dad.

MICKTHESICK, I fully agree with you.

Newuser!
When I was reading your initial frustration against the King?s overtaking power, suspending activities of the so called democratic corrupt leaders to suppress the cycles of brutal killings by the Maoist, I was genuinely impressed that time, thinking, at least, some one has the guts to call a ?speade-a-speade?. But after reading few of your repeated annoying nagging posts pretending a champion of democratic values, turned out to be a big hot-air balloon. I think, you came very close to those corrupt political inept leaders those who masquerading as ?protectorate of democracy? are now crying fowl as the despotic King started putting them in hoards in to the slammer.

Susant Sharma

I_F bro, it is not matter of diagreeing and arguing. Nothing good will come out if we only argue, ofcourse you know that, i know that. So hence, if you can defend yourself from New user's view, then do so, if not, then you have to admit Democracy is a purest and highest solution for each country's development.

New user ji, good going!

" The only thing I don't understand is why you continue to think that peace and security can only be maintained by suppressing the ideas and opinions of the unarmed people. Why do you think that despots with the help of military can maintain peace and security, and that is all what our people deserve for their life. Peace in exchange of shutting up your mouth every time, even if you don't like what's been done to you by your captors(the army in our case). You know, there is peace-total silence when people are kept hostage by terrorist kidnappers, there is peace when a man is going to be hanged, there's peace before animals are sacrificed in front of a temple, there was peace in the concentration camps before the Nazis released poisons to kill the jews. Peace can be maintained by guns. So you want to keep our country peaceful by keeping guns at pointblank days and night years and years? "

NEWUSER
you post way too long statements mate. Instead or writing the whole Puran,why don't you just write the conclusion mate!!:P:P I bet more people would read and give opinion bout your concerns or so called debate.

Susantji,

If you think whatever you say or support is absolutely right, I don't want to comment.
Mind you, I am neither close to corrupt or whatever politicians nor have profitted from them at any time in my life. I am happy that some of the corrupted ones are getting justice for their wrong doing. More of them are missing- Khum Bhahadur khadka, ramkrishna tamrakar, Gopalman Shrestha, deepak bohora, ramkrishna acharya, sarbendranath shukla, lokman sing karki and several others.And those businessmen as well- khetan, golchha, chaudhary, prabhakar shumshers etc. And some of the arrested are not corrupted but very efficient party activists who have never remained in power and live in rented room in Kathmandu. Aba tapai jasto lal bujhakkad lai Raja le gareko sohrai aana thik , aru bethik lagchha bhane I dont have anything to say.lets see if all the arrested culprits will be adequately punished or not.
You are totally missing my point. What I am repeating is let there be a free and independent media. Let the ones who dont have arms,ie except the army and the maoists, also have there rights to speak their mind and know whats happening in the country from the news independently verified. Let the growing media industry continue to thrive and the new talents get on with their job. Also let the humanrights activists continue their job. Don't label everybody of them as corrupt. If you blindly support the king and blindly criticize the rests, I have to confirm that you are a real Mandale.

As for IF, I have no doubts about your English. You are versaltile, articulate and on top of it far more learned and educated then me.On other issues, as you suggest, let's agree to disagree. Apologies if you felt offended from my postings.
Newuser

एफएममा समाचार आएकै राम्रो
एफएममा समाचार प्रसारण बन्द भएपछि रेडियोमा कान थाप्ने बानी लागेको मजस्तो र्सवसाधारणलाई मर्का परेको छ । कुुनै पनि घटना र विषयको तत्कालै जानकारी पाउन म जहिले पनि रेडियो खोल्ने गर्थे? । एफएमले कतिपय घटनामा घटनास्थलबाटै समाचार दिएझैं तत्कालै हामीलाई सुुसूचित गराउ?थे । तर समाचार बन्द भएपछि मनोरञ्जनमूलक कार्यक्रममात्रै कति सुुन्नुु - कान टट्टाउ?दै जान थालेको छ । मेरो विचारमा समाचार दिएर केही ब्रि्र?दैन ।

समाचार बन्द गर्दा बरु समाजमा मिथ्या हल्लाहरू बढ्छन् । हल्ला बढेपछि त्यसलाई असत्य सावित गर्न गार्?हो हुुन्छ । कसैले त बोलिदिनुुपर्?यो, यो होइन र यो हो भनेर । एफएम रेडियोहरू हाम्रो समाजमा निकै लोकप्रिय भइसकेका छन् । तिनले समाचारमार्फ आमजनतालाई आवश्यक सूचना क्षणक्षणमै दिने र हामीले पनि क्षणक्षणमै सूचना थाहा पाउने एउटा परिपाटी स्थापित भइसकेको थियो ।

- विनीता अर्याल

लाजिम्पाट, काठमाडौं

Read this link
- http://www.kantipuronline.com/nepali/kolnews.php?&nid=30910

What problems do Gyanendra's drive for getting rid of Maoists and corruption from the country meet if the BBC is alowwed to be relayed from the FMs? WHat harms would the King suffer from if FMs are allowed to broadcast verified news in line with security interests?? If people are happy to stay quiet, why do they spend 5,500 Rs for ashortwave radio, this amount is enough for a couple to live in Kathmandu for a month.
I hope Susant has the answers.

As many of us have bestowed our unreserved faith to King Gyanendra( 50% of my faith), lets appeal him to make the following restrictions compliying to Anti Social Behaviour (Please suggest the amount to be charged on these offences which will make sure that we won't see these behaviours in the future) .Repetiton of the same offences again will lead to more sever punishment in all cases.


Notice to the public
1. Anybody caught excreting urine or faeces in public places, road sides, river banks or at any other sensitive places (except in dire conditions-when there is no public toilet nearby) will be charged Nrs. - or 1 week in Jail.
2. Anybody caught bullying, shouting, demonstrating vulgur activities and disrupting public by taking alcohol or drugs will be charged NRs.- or 1 week jail.
3.Anybody caught doing explicit sexual actitivites at public or making arrangements on prostitution at public will be charged NRs,- or 2 weeks in jail.
4.Anybody caught throwing rubbish or any other wastes in road side or any other places will be unarranged place will be charge Nrs. or 1 week in jail.
4.People caught spitting ,throwing cigerette pieces or morsel in sensitive area will be warned for the first time and if the offence is repeated, the individual will be charged Nrs. or 1 night in jail.
5.Anybody dismantling or damaging public assets including buildings, transport, infrastructures, furnitures, telephone booths, post offices etc.will be liable to replace or repair the damage.
6. Any pedestrians violating traffic rules will be fined Nrs. or 1 night jail.
7.Anybody trying not to obey the first come first serve and 'according to the time of appointment rule' while seeking services at government offices will be fined according to the severety of the case and jailed appropriately.
8.Anybody begging at places except that are specified by the authority will be jailed for a night. Repeated offence means more punishment.
9.Anybody found travelling on the top of buses or hanging in the vehicles posing danger to their life will be fined Nrs. or a night in jail.
10. Anybody burning tyres at road or causing pollution by doing inappropriate things, or damaging public or private assets will be charged accordingly and be liable to replace or repair the damage.
11. Anyone violating the rules at places where certain rules are specified to be followed, will accordingly be punished.
12.Anybody violating personal rights or disrupting others by any means on festivals like Holy, Dashain, Tihar and others will be charged pelnalties according to the severity of the offences.
13.Anybody caught giving bribes or gifts or any other rewards to public servants will be fined and jailed according to the severity of the offences.
14.Anybody vending or setting up business in the pavements or places subjecting to disrupt the public will be severely fined and punished.
15.Anybody not paying their electricity, telephone and other services bills within a time limit will be cut off from service.
16.Any other criminal offences like beating, torturing, raping, killing,smuggling etc. will be subject to the provison of Nepalese laws.

Guys add other things I couldn't have included.

Notice to the civil cervants:
1.Anybody taking bribes or gifts from public or whoever they are serving knowingly or unknowingly will be sacked immidiately after their guilt is proven.
2.Anybody arriving late, leaving soon or wasting time in the middle will be deducted a day's allowance from their salary on each day they commit the offence.
3.Anybody whose academic certificate or CV is found to be fake or flawed will be suspended from job and sacked if found guilty.
4.Any body who takes the stuffs of the office to his/her home will be fined and punished according to the severity of the offence.
5.Anybody who misuses the resources of the office including telephone, internet, fax, papers and utensils will be punished and fined according to the offence.
6.Anybody who bullies or threatens the public showing his position at the government will be fined Nrs or 1 month in jail.

Security personnel are subjected to following the above rules in addition to one in below:
If someone is killed or tortured or offended while dealt by any security personnel and if he/she is found guilty, it will result in the sacking of the individual.

Add more and lets call the government to implement the above regulations.

In a small(or big?) twist of event,
The US ambassador to Nepal has issued a fresh warning to Mr Gyanendra that he woud block US aid if the ban on Political restrictions are not lifted WITHIN 100 DAYS. Finally, the messiah of Democracy and human rights steps ahead. better late then never.
HOWZ DAT GUYS. Arulai shan dekhauna dinu bhanda afai careful hunuparne thiena ta hamro Rajale?? This may be a 'foreign interferance' in the eyes of mandales. We do think it is, even as democratic. But isn't it good to act shrewdly oneself so that no interference is required??

- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4256491.stm

There was a sudden influx of pro-monarchists in Sajha after the feb 1 move. But it seems they were used by the royalties to defend themselves. They have faded away. Anyway, if there are some more left and have some opinions to defend the King's ban on media and the political activities of the opposing majority, why not continue the debate? Where are you guys? comment on my antisocial behaviour order notice(or do you fall in one of the above catagories?) and the US interferance in the Kings politics.

Newuser

Sajha Ka pancha mandali haru ka haraechhan?

oh guys, where are you hidden?

Or are you going to be appointed in the government position soon? Tulsi Giri all of a sudden appeared in the Palace from no where to swear in as a deputy PM. At least Rayamajhi had the gut to speak his mind but Giri once again treachered. Giri is a typical symbol of mandale. As some of the guys who enjoy democracy in the west and advocate for autocracy in their own country truly represent Tulsi Giri. Extreme oppurtunists. I do not intend to intimidate any one, all of us are free to support anyone we like. But why not we listen to the pro-monarchist's defensive views on the appt. of Tulsi Giri? Raja ko jay jay garne haru bata jawaf paune apechha gareko chhu.

To all the believers in democracy, no matter the 12 years of multi party system failed very badly, democracy is what ultimately delivers good things for people. Believe in your democratic idealogies. And do not give up the hope for good governance under multi party democracy in Nepal. Gyanendra has shown the worst signs ever, if you have any small bit of hope thats vanished in these 2 weeks. Finally we will have to organize and fight against the tyranny.No one can lead us to real democracy except us coz our politicians failed meagerly. So lets make our voice strong from where ever we are in what ever way we can against KG and his bunch of mandales.

If gang of panches venture to defend themselves OR democrats support my opinion, lets score a century in this thread.

Coming up next- Tulsi Giri comes out from banish from India to lead the pancha mantri parishad. What might be the reason?Europe and America call their ambassadors back to their country. Does it exert any real pressure to Gyanendra or is this a face saving move from the double standard west??

i fully agree with u newuser. It is only under democracy that people from all sectors can benefit. Now its the jagjagi of mandales and panches, ranas and shahs. security situaton is detoriating at alarming rate in rural parts of nepal. those who support kings move think that only ktm is nepal. in viallages, it has been easy for the maoists and army to kill innocent people after feb 1 since there is complete ban on these news.

king G is a shrewd despot. he says one thing and does the opposite. With corrupts like Govinda Raj joshi being released, iit is clear that king is doing his offensive only against those who oppose him. And the return of Tulsi Giri (the epitome of mandaleism and oppurtunism) means taht the king is going back to thos black panchayat days.

Dear Newuser,

I have a request for u, may be u would like to contribute your valuable time in this cause. Below is a link to a site, which will direct to some type of discussion forum being run by this site. I checked the site and it says if our comments are without prejudice to any side and not defamatory, they will publish it. I am extremely eager to put our views on this site. May be u want to coordinate in it. I will try to send my opinions within few days. This seems to be real discussion forum to me. Will u plz look at this and confirm whether something concrete and can be raised here.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00170.htm

Plz reply, if u r going to send your opinions.

"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
-- John Stuart Mill

I wonder how many of us can truly understand what Stuart Mill wanted to reveal. Honestly speaking, I couldn't grab much sense out of it. Moreover, here we are many individuals with many interests of our own, so why to bother about the depth of the sea?

Hang on. There's something to contemplate on. Mankind is what the human beings are made up of. Mankind is the protector of all men, so even if only one person is silenced by mankind, this act of mankind cannot be justified.No matter the whole mankind is at one side and a single individual in the other , mankind let's the loner feel free to speak at his will. It doesn't force the individual to agree it's notion. On the contrary, an individual, if with all of his powers can silence mankind, that would be justifiable. Because, he is a person, not mankind. He doesn't have the sympathy, the greatness, the love , the perfection, the adornment for a human being as mankind has. So although he is an absolute minority, he can silence all others by his power. Because he has never realised the greatness of freedom and liberty for mankind, how could he let others exercise that when he doesn't know the greatness of freedom himself? So, he is justified to silence the rest except him with his unparalleled power.

King Gyanendra's latest action are thus justified. I have no strength to debate with his supporters anymore.

In the mean time, lets speak more about democracy. Here many of the political commentators have implied that the politicians after 2046 are the representatives of democracy. Democracy means some 13 years between 2046 and 2059 according to them. The politicians were corrupt meant democracy is corrupt and politicians failed meant democracy fails. As simple as that. Well , no more debate on this.

Another point. with the help of power, an individual can silence the mankind and subsequently his actions are justifiable. Because he is just a man, a man with power. That power is his right to shut others mouth.

He restricts others through power, through guns and finally silences every opposer no matter by carrying genocide and mass murder. So how to prevent genocide and mass murder of mankind?
The answer is by checking the power of an individaul. Don't let any individual person to amass so much power that he ventures to carry genocide just to silence the mankind.

''The way to virtually eliminate genocide and mass murder appears to be through restricting and checking power. This means to foster democratic freedom. ''
- Rudolph Rummel

To oppose democratic freedom in some people's view(not everyones) is to foster genocide and mass murder. Hey where are the King's army and the Maobadi army? Both of you want to foster genocide to silence mankind?


One of my friends. Rather a senior.
He is a great scholar. holds more then three degrees in three different subjects from three universities of three continents. He was one of the few Nepalese intellects(I am not sure by citizenship or origin) who raised the debate of Republicanism in Nepal some time around two years ago. He said, 'now it's time for republic Nepal.' I couldn't understand what he was saying. I said to myself, oh well he may be right. He is such a learned man.

At this time, situations have changed. I mean , can anybody dream of republicanism now? All of us can hardly dream about freedom of speech, republicanism is a far off cry.

The irony is my learned friend knows that the best animal in the world is chameleon. He never studied science however but he is really best in practising practically the theory of Natural selection. I mean yeh. WHat republicanism? Even What democracy and freedom? Freedom is a hell. Republicanism is a non-sensical rant. We must support the King. Lets give him a chance. The King is great. He has power. And if he silences mankind, his actions are justified. Well my learned friend is in another world, a different world from Nepal. The King could not silence him when he campaigned for the republicanism rhetoric and the King don't have to silence him now because he is campaigning for tyranny in the best way he can.

We dont need freedom my friend. The king is justifiable for silencing the Nepalese people. I mean politicians are continue their rant in one or the other way. They are criticising the King through foreign media and in foreign land. But the people are silent.As if there is tranquility all over.

Hi Friends,

This is the news which will give u some idea as to how the king has been able to take such an unprecedented move.

HUM HINDUSTANI: Their extraterritorial loyalty ?J Sri Raman
Ashok Singhal put it succinctly in January, in Kathmandu, at a ceremony to honour King Gyanendra as the world?s only Hindu monarch. Ordained the VHP oracle: ?It is the duty of 900 million Hindus the world over to protect the Hindu samrat (king) ... God has created him to protect Hindu dharma?

Historians warn us against the ?what-ifs? of history. Fussy academic concerns, however, need not stop a newsman?s frivolous and speculative query. What if the Bharatiya Janata Party had headed the government in New Delhi on February 1? What, indeed, if the last general election had gone the BJP?s way and the party had held untrammelled power on the day the King of Nepal placed a partial democracy under suspension?

Of course, in its official reaction to the dramatic development, the BJP has been critical of King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev?s action. He had dismissed the quasi-representative government of appointed prime minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, declaring a state of emergency and taking over all state powers. Said the BJP: ?The events in Nepal have seriously affected the cause of legitimate democracy. India has been consistently supporting the development of a political system that truly reflects people?s aspirations. King Gyanendra?s actions have caused a serious setback to this process.?

No strong denunciation, but a disapproving statement all the same, though it suggests that the suspension of the process is temporary. The statement cleverly avoids comment on the ground ? ?Maoist terrorism? ? the King has cited for his action.

But the BJP, whether as part of a coalition in power or an opposition front, cannot fully and freely represent the far right on such issues. The far right has far less circumscribed fronts ? like the Rashtriya Swaymsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) ? to speak up on such occasions. They did so repeatedly and in ringing tones whenever the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime had to resort to the device of double-speak.

They did so, for example, on Ayodhya when the allies would not let the regime proceed beyond paying tributes to the ?nationalist movement?. They did so, too, on Gujarat, when Vajpayee had to condemn the carnage even while vindicating it as a reaction to Godhra. Demolition of the edifice of secularism, they swore, would follow that of the ?disputed structure? of the Babri Masjid. They hailed the Gujarat pogrom and held it up as a model for the rest of the country.

They are playing the same role now on Nepal. No pretence of commitment to principles of democracy dilutes their defence of the King and his action. The stated ground of their defence is the same as his ? ?Maoist terrorism? ? but the true reason is not too remote from their case on Ayodhya and Gujarat. The counter-terrorist argument camouflages, pretty thinly, a cross-border extension of communal fascism.

The always quotable Praveen Togadia of the VHP, who had glorified the police-aided Gujarat pogrom as a great ?Hindu? upsurge, said ?There was anarchy in the Hindu kingdom before the King?s takeover?. He warned that, ?if India remained a mute spectator to the unfolding events in Nepal, China might take advantage of the situation?. VHP president Ashok Singhal, who had proclaimed he was ?proud of Gujarat?, said that ?increased extremist terror targeting innocent people had prompted the palace to dismiss the Deuba government?.

RSS spokesman Ram Madhav sneered: ?I do not understand all this criticism from India. We want democracy to flourish around the world, but what about Goa?? He was referring to the raging controversy over the dismissal of a BJP government in the tourism-centred state, despite a doubtful vote of confidence it won in the assembly under a partisan speaker. Madhav also pointed to the constitutional provision under which the King had acted, though the RSS rejected a similar defence of Indira Gandhi?s infamous emergency in 1975.

The real reason for this special pleading was no secret. Ashok Singhal put it succinctly on January 22, 2004, in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, at a ceremony to honour King Gyanendra as the world?s only Hindu monarch. Ordained the VHP oracle: ?It is the duty of 900 million Hindus the world over to protect the Hindu samrat (king) ... God has created him to protect Hindu dharma.? Singhal also proposed to organise a world Hindu meet in New York under the King?s leadership. The proposed event ?would project Hindus as a global power... with the Nepalese king leading the way?. Similar sentiments have emanated from the Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram, now facing criminal charges relating to a murder. He denies the police allegation that he was planning to flee to Nepal, but his relations as the ?rajguru? or the palace priest in Kathmandu with Gyanendra (and his brother and predecessor King Birendra) have been as close as with the VHP and the rest of the far-right parivar (family). The Shankaracharya, on a visit to Nepal, proclaimed its monarch as ?the king of all Hindus? and counselled the Nepalese people to support him against ?Maoist insurgents?.

To the parivar, the King of Nepal may be the ?king of all Hindus?. To sections of the far-right ?family?, however, the Hindu kingdom must also be part of a ?Hindu? India. In January 2001, BJP leader KR Malkani kicked up a controversy with his ?revelation? that King Triubhuvan of Nepal had offered his country?s accession to India in the early fifties. Malkani added: ?We should have accepted (the offer).? The BJP, of course, distanced itself from his ?unfortunate? remarks without taking any other action against him.

Long ago, RSS ideologue Guru Golwalker, in his famous ?Bunch of Thoughts?, listed India?s Muslims, Christians and Communists as the country?s main enemies for their ?extraterritorial loyalty?. To far-right political philosophers, loyalty to the king of another country does not fall in the same category.

The writer is a journalist and peace activist based in Chennai, India
Unprecedented

New User:

I have yet to hear from you about the net result that I am so interested in. I am not interested in politics, but the recent event made me really look at what happened to our lives. And I chose to support the king.

Earlier I compared you to John Kerry and it sounds well since all I heard from Mr. Kerry is I have a plan..I have a plan. You have put nice words in your posting. At the end of the day, all I care about is net result.

All I wanna ask you is have our life improved in the last 15 years. I know your answer is no. I dont need but, if, when or how. Just yes or no asnwer!!!!!

Thats all.