Rajeeb Satyal April 12, 2004
#16 Posted by harimau on April 16, 2004 10:54:10 am
Ref jang #10
[what are the prices these days? manali in 1083 wasaround 4 Rs an ounce]
Man, you really take that ``descendant of invaders`` bit seriously, don`t you?
And Rs. 4 an ounce in 1083 meant that you got royally ripped off. The rupee did go a long long way in those days.
[what are the prices these days? manali in 1083 wasaround 4 Rs an ounce]
Man, you really take that ``descendant of invaders`` bit seriously, don`t you?
And Rs. 4 an ounce in 1083 meant that you got royally ripped off. The rupee did go a long long way in those days.
#15 Posted by stuka on April 15, 2004 2:19:56 pm
Baaghiraja:
``However, I AM willing to accept the follies of brutal guirilla warfare involving, for example, the Islamic extremists in Algeria? ``
That is surprising to say the least. Why is one violence more acceptable then the other? Simply because you find one cause more palatable then the other? A similar analogy also give acceptance to Stalinist murders compared to say Hitler`s.
You also say the concept of Human Rights do not exist and that this is war. Well, war in whose name? The same locals getting their legs smashed? Basically the very people meant to be liberated from corruption are terrorized to a scale much worse then what the corrupt gov`t ever did.
This war is not being fought FOR the common people. The biggest victims are the common people. If you are going to justify the Maobadis, u might as well justify the FIS too. No difference in methodolgy at all.
``However, I AM willing to accept the follies of brutal guirilla warfare involving, for example, the Islamic extremists in Algeria? ``
That is surprising to say the least. Why is one violence more acceptable then the other? Simply because you find one cause more palatable then the other? A similar analogy also give acceptance to Stalinist murders compared to say Hitler`s.
You also say the concept of Human Rights do not exist and that this is war. Well, war in whose name? The same locals getting their legs smashed? Basically the very people meant to be liberated from corruption are terrorized to a scale much worse then what the corrupt gov`t ever did.
This war is not being fought FOR the common people. The biggest victims are the common people. If you are going to justify the Maobadis, u might as well justify the FIS too. No difference in methodolgy at all.
#14 Posted by baaghiraja on April 14, 2004 11:26:14 am
Stuka,
I read the article. Quite vivid in its description of Maoist ``atrocities`` in Nepal. But (1) I`ve always been suspecious about western jounalists writing about communists, or for that matter about ``Islamic Fundamentalism`` (even though I have been quite loud and clear in my opinions against the later as a writer/journalist); (2) I actually found the writer`s angle to be rather naive. I mean it`s guirilla warfare we are talking about. And that too in a poverty-striken ``thirdworld`` country like Nepal. There is NO concept of human rights in such a war (which I see as a vicious struggle against a vicious state/monarchy). The article suggests that the Maoists don`t harm the western trekkers because they pay up. But then it also goes on to say those who don`t are beaten up. The same rules applies to locals. If they pay up, well, they get to keep their legs, if not ...
Like I said, if you are in a situation the Nepali Maoists are in (or even in a situation that drove them towards taking up arms in the mountains), such talk of ``cruelty`` and brutality starts sounding naive. Because strangely, the article fails to mention the years of corruption, the oppression and brutality of the Nepali aristocracy.
But again, this is a war. Quite unlike the war the Americans are fighting in Iraq. But quite like the war the brutalised and shocked & awed Iraqi insurgents have begun aganst the occupation forces in the same country.
I think some people`s attempt to equate the Maobandi uprising in Nepal with, say, ``insurgency``-related genocides in places like Rewanda and Barundi is ... well ... rather unimpressive and one-sided. However, I AM willing to accept the follies of brutal guirilla warfare involving, for example, the Islamic extremists in Algeria?
I read the article. Quite vivid in its description of Maoist ``atrocities`` in Nepal. But (1) I`ve always been suspecious about western jounalists writing about communists, or for that matter about ``Islamic Fundamentalism`` (even though I have been quite loud and clear in my opinions against the later as a writer/journalist); (2) I actually found the writer`s angle to be rather naive. I mean it`s guirilla warfare we are talking about. And that too in a poverty-striken ``thirdworld`` country like Nepal. There is NO concept of human rights in such a war (which I see as a vicious struggle against a vicious state/monarchy). The article suggests that the Maoists don`t harm the western trekkers because they pay up. But then it also goes on to say those who don`t are beaten up. The same rules applies to locals. If they pay up, well, they get to keep their legs, if not ...
Like I said, if you are in a situation the Nepali Maoists are in (or even in a situation that drove them towards taking up arms in the mountains), such talk of ``cruelty`` and brutality starts sounding naive. Because strangely, the article fails to mention the years of corruption, the oppression and brutality of the Nepali aristocracy.
But again, this is a war. Quite unlike the war the Americans are fighting in Iraq. But quite like the war the brutalised and shocked & awed Iraqi insurgents have begun aganst the occupation forces in the same country.
I think some people`s attempt to equate the Maobandi uprising in Nepal with, say, ``insurgency``-related genocides in places like Rewanda and Barundi is ... well ... rather unimpressive and one-sided. However, I AM willing to accept the follies of brutal guirilla warfare involving, for example, the Islamic extremists in Algeria?
#13 Posted by jang on April 14, 2004 10:06:55 am
i think dalitistan.com had an explanation of the conflict in endearing terms to some..its about hindu ruling class against the rest of nepalis who really are not hindus.
#12 Posted by rozaiba on April 14, 2004 7:44:06 am
The intensity of this conflict shows how one should be weary of aristocratic opinions and explanations. A Nepali friend of mine over the past two years has been dismissing the Maoist rebellions as merely one of misguided and corrupt individuals.
The defiance against the aristocratic regime is indeed heartening and eye-opening. These are interesting times.
The defiance against the aristocratic regime is indeed heartening and eye-opening. These are interesting times.
#11 Posted by stuka on April 13, 2004 10:13:54 pm
Baaghiraja:
Your statement held some water at the start of the Maobadi revolution. Not any more. Check out my ilog for an article on Nepal.
Your statement held some water at the start of the Maobadi revolution. Not any more. Check out my ilog for an article on Nepal.
#10 Posted by jang on April 13, 2004 2:07:18 pm
``inexpensive Afghan hashish``
what are the prices these days? manali in 1083 wasaround 4 Rs an ounce
what are the prices these days? manali in 1083 wasaround 4 Rs an ounce
#9 Posted by nooralain on April 13, 2004 1:27:02 pm
while communism or marxism once again is being treated as the scourge of humankind. . .i agree that NGO`s are not the best `solutions` or prescriptions for aids in healing the country. there have been those NGO`s who just end up competing against each other rather than focusing on the issues. . .and there are NGO`s who want to presume to tell the `natives` what is good for them rather than allowing them to be engaged in the amelioration of their societies. is it any wonder that NGO`s are then seen in such a negative light?
it seems that the `red scare` will be revived time and time again, or replaced with other scares and those combatting such scares aren`t to be scary in the least bit but saviors of the universe.
signed
she who does not possess the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie
it seems that the `red scare` will be revived time and time again, or replaced with other scares and those combatting such scares aren`t to be scary in the least bit but saviors of the universe.
signed
she who does not possess the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie
#8 Posted by baaghiraja on April 13, 2004 11:52:49 am
Stuka,
Not (all) victems are upper-class and (some) are from the peasentry. Agreed. But almost ALL members of the Nepali guirilla outfit are from the peasntery and the urban underclasses. However, most of their critics remain to be the upper classes and the conservative bourgouise.
And by the way, I usually sip cheap Pakistani beer and smoke inexpensive Afghan hashish while writing. Thanks for presuming things more upper status than this, though. ;)
NfP
Not (all) victems are upper-class and (some) are from the peasentry. Agreed. But almost ALL members of the Nepali guirilla outfit are from the peasntery and the urban underclasses. However, most of their critics remain to be the upper classes and the conservative bourgouise.
And by the way, I usually sip cheap Pakistani beer and smoke inexpensive Afghan hashish while writing. Thanks for presuming things more upper status than this, though. ;)
NfP
#7 Posted by baaghiraja on April 13, 2004 11:52:49 am
jang,
though I have absolutely NO plans to retire off to Canada or Europe, I do plan to vist Nepal (in great hope).
Anyway, the ``ORIGENAL`` revolution that you speak of never sounded so origenal to me. I`ve always admired revolutions in China (1949) and Cuba (1959) more.
And my excitement in the context of Nepal is also more to do with the prospect of witnessing the possible fall of a monarchy. That`s why, historically speaking, the third revolution that I admire is the 1979 Iranian revolution. So let`s not see me waving the red flag only, and for just the sake of it. It`ll be too presumtuious an assumption.
though I have absolutely NO plans to retire off to Canada or Europe, I do plan to vist Nepal (in great hope).
Anyway, the ``ORIGENAL`` revolution that you speak of never sounded so origenal to me. I`ve always admired revolutions in China (1949) and Cuba (1959) more.
And my excitement in the context of Nepal is also more to do with the prospect of witnessing the possible fall of a monarchy. That`s why, historically speaking, the third revolution that I admire is the 1979 Iranian revolution. So let`s not see me waving the red flag only, and for just the sake of it. It`ll be too presumtuious an assumption.
#6 Posted by jang on April 13, 2004 11:16:30 am
stuka (and bhagi)
communist have brought untold misery to masses in the 20-th century, and still seems to have adherents, especially from the latte-sipping affluent classes.
I invite the bolsheviks to read about Emma Goldman and her experience with the ORIGINAL revolution.
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/8522/emma_eng.html
``Even being first a supporter of the Bolshevik Revolution, she became fast disillusioned with the oppression of free speech and the party rule. Her, in 1923 published book ``My Disillusionment with Russia`` was one of the first real critiques of the Soviet System. She left Russia and spent the rest of her life in Canada and Europe``
communist have brought untold misery to masses in the 20-th century, and still seems to have adherents, especially from the latte-sipping affluent classes.
I invite the bolsheviks to read about Emma Goldman and her experience with the ORIGINAL revolution.
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/8522/emma_eng.html
``Even being first a supporter of the Bolshevik Revolution, she became fast disillusioned with the oppression of free speech and the party rule. Her, in 1923 published book ``My Disillusionment with Russia`` was one of the first real critiques of the Soviet System. She left Russia and spent the rest of her life in Canada and Europe``
#5 Posted by stuka on April 13, 2004 10:26:40 am
`` And why the human right aspect, can not go for preventive strategies to maintain and take care of root of human rights. ``
Good point. Are you based in Kathmandu?
Good point. Are you based in Kathmandu?
#4 Posted by rajeeb on April 13, 2004 10:13:17 am
Why human right organizations have to show up only when the human right situation is already so worse that insurgencies have already taken over. And why the human right aspect, can not go for preventive strategies to maintain and take care of root of human rights.
There can not or should not be any Human Right without creatng a sense of human responsibies/duties in individual human. Meaning Human Right can not be so cheaply available, loosely defined so it creates OR SUPPORT terrorism in the name of human right, or wait till people resort to terrorism due to extreme poverty. The definition, and scope of human right must be redefined to attach it with sense of responsiblity, and also broaden to cover the day to day human needs including the primal needs.
The skills and technical know how of Human Right Organizatons needs to be improved to act effectively and to play some positive role in the society. Such skill includes negotiation, mediation and other manangerail tools also.
Finally, the human right organizations can be filled up with people with strong political bias,or from any political parties as in Nepal. It is the most obvious requirement to keep the Human Right Organization unbiassed and effective.
Rajeeb Satyal, the author
There can not or should not be any Human Right without creatng a sense of human responsibies/duties in individual human. Meaning Human Right can not be so cheaply available, loosely defined so it creates OR SUPPORT terrorism in the name of human right, or wait till people resort to terrorism due to extreme poverty. The definition, and scope of human right must be redefined to attach it with sense of responsiblity, and also broaden to cover the day to day human needs including the primal needs.
The skills and technical know how of Human Right Organizatons needs to be improved to act effectively and to play some positive role in the society. Such skill includes negotiation, mediation and other manangerail tools also.
Finally, the human right organizations can be filled up with people with strong political bias,or from any political parties as in Nepal. It is the most obvious requirement to keep the Human Right Organization unbiassed and effective.
Rajeeb Satyal, the author
#3 Posted by stuka on April 13, 2004 9:48:06 am
There will ne Maoist success in Nepal. India will support the people of Nepal against these terrorists. The India and the US are already doing so. These HR organizations are usually moles for terror groups. At least that is the case in Nepal where none of the HR groups are home grown and so they do not even take into account the massive suffering the Maosists have inflicted on the nepali people.
Posters like Baaghiraaja sipping latte and typing out Maobadi literature should spend a week in Bihar or Nepal where these ultra left groups have spread terror. The victims are not upper class. It is the peasentary itself.
Posters like Baaghiraaja sipping latte and typing out Maobadi literature should spend a week in Bihar or Nepal where these ultra left groups have spread terror. The victims are not upper class. It is the peasentary itself.
#2 Posted by baaghiraja on April 12, 2004 12:38:59 pm
Send in the NGOs! *shakes head*
It`s a conflict of power, politics and ideology. In such conflicts, one either takes sides or get`s the f##k out.
Nepal is not crumbling. It`s on the brink of something big. And, at least to me, a Maoist revolution in the 21st Century would be an exciting happening. So let history be made and surprize us again. Better than waiting for the next Nike ``revolution.``
rgds,
NfP
It`s a conflict of power, politics and ideology. In such conflicts, one either takes sides or get`s the f##k out.
Nepal is not crumbling. It`s on the brink of something big. And, at least to me, a Maoist revolution in the 21st Century would be an exciting happening. So let history be made and surprize us again. Better than waiting for the next Nike ``revolution.``
rgds,
NfP
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