The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Nepal situation

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Friday, May 08, 2009
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Nepal situation

This has reference to the articles by Siddharth Varadarajan and S.D. Muni and the editorial (May 5,6 and 7). I must congratulate The Hindu on presenting the ground realities in Nepal in the most objective manner, while most others indulged in Maoist bashing and tried to cover up India’s unwise, behind-the scenes advice to the political forces there. Whatever the limitations of the Maoist government, nobody can deny the fact that Army chief Rookmangad Katawal, foster brother of the former King Gyanendra, is a symbol of a demolished feudal regime and anathema to the new democratic state in transition.

Chaman Lal,

New Delhi

This refers to the article “India’s Nepal policy in disarray” (May 7). The participation of Maoists in the democratic process and their taking the onus of forming the coalition government were nothing less than a miracle. At a time when it was thought that the example set by the PLA in Nepal should be emulated by the naxalites in India, the events in Kathmandu are disheartening. The author has hit the nail on the head when he said the integration of Maoists in the government is crucial for the peace process to continue.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,

Kadapa

The editorial has made it clear that India has backed the unconstitutional move by the Nepal President in reinstating the Army chief. It is unfortunate that India — a peace lover — has supported an Army chief, who had been trying to slow down the process of democratising Nepal and the working of a comprehensive peace agreement which includes integration of the PLA with the army. By this, India has supported the creation of an uncertain situation in its small, new democratic neighbour. This will surely affect stability in South Asia which is already devastated by terrorism.

P. Sreenivasan,

Namakkal

India’s policy towards Nepal in the past during Jan Andolan II and in the present crisis is incomprehensible and inconsistent with what it has professed and practised as a crusader of democracy. India was rebuffed when it tried to bail out the then beleaguered King in the midst of a popular uprising. Then, it helped Nepal during its smooth transition of power. However, again it failed to read the writing on the wall when it pressured the Nepal Prime Minister not to sack the defiant and arrogant Army chief for exceeding his constitutional limits. In this context, Mr. SiddharthVaradarajan’s reference to the sacking of Navy chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagavat unjustifiably for a lesser crime by the NDA government is appropriate and pertinent.

Capt. T. Raju (retd),

Secunderabad

Your account of the Nepal crisis was exact and precise (May 5). We should take it as reason enough to stop blabbering about the Indian political pantheon and be puffed up over the fact that we have kept our commitment to democracy for over six decades and are still maintaining it with fervour.

Nepal should meticulously keep in mind that in anything one attempts there will be setbacks and disappointments along the way. Success is based on one’s ability to quickly move on to the next task — forming a coalition government and providing reliable governance.

Alok Kumar Mishra,

Jamshedpur

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