Editorial
Douse the flame
Major parties must take active steps to gain the trust of opposition groupsThe top leaders of the political parties have once again urged opposition groups to come for talks. But as the Madhesi and Tharu groups feel insulted by the perfunctory nature of the invitation, it could go unheeded.
In no part of the statement released by the top three parties is it even mentioned that Tharus and Madhesis might have genuine grievances and that the major parties would do their best to look into it. The parties did not even express regret for the loss of life over the past few weeks. Instead, the parties mention that the constitution-drafting process will not be halted at any cost.
And party leaders have made statements that belittle the protestors by claiming that external ‘elements’ instigated the protests. Top party leaders have been irresponsible, arrogant and short sighted in their approach to the current crisis.
Reports from the Tarai indicate a growing groundswell of discontent. The crowds on the streets have been growing every day. There is intense anger about the killings that have occurred over the past few weeks. Many are appalled that the top political leaders appear to be completely unconcerned about the killings, and that the Home Minister’s one evident response has been to provide security forces with a billion rupees to buy additional anti-riot gear. Across Tarai, people speak about how the state has been much more brutal in suppressing protests in the Madhes than in the hills. And amidst all this churning, on the same day that the major parties once again invited opposition groups for talks, an additional four people were killed in Mahottari and Saptari. This latest incident could well lead to an increase in tensions.
The only option for the government and the major parties is to take active steps to defuse the tension and gain the trust of the opposition groups. They should first, take a decision to temporarily halt the constitution-drafting process. They should then express regret for the loss of life and respect for the opposition’s demands, and preferably visit the places that have witnessed the most intense protests so as to restore calm. Such steps should help them improve relations with the agitating groups. Negotiations should then be held in an open and transparent way. The opposition groups, meanwhile, should agree to call off protests and
to negotiate within the Constituent Assembly
process. This is the only legitimate platform for constitution drafting in the country, and opposition groups should respect this fact. Only if such steps are followed will the parties be able to extricate the country from the current crisis.