TWO MAOIST PARTIES OF NEPAL UNITE
Since the Sino-Soviet split of the 1960’s, practically every one of the non-ruling communist parties split into two or more. Some small parties united since then but that has been of little political significance. The recent unification of two important communist parties [The CPN (Maoist) and the CPN (Unity Centre-Masal)] might signal a reversal of that trend or it might be that unity comes in the process of solving specific problems.
The CPN (Maoist) and the CPN (Unity Centre-Masal) have unified and formed the Unified CPN (Maoist). The unity of two major revolutionary parties on the eve of writing the new Constitution is of special significance. The United Maoist Party thinks that “writing the constitution is a struggle between two classes”.
At this juncture, peasants, workers, women, and dalits are actively participating in the various campaigns to social transformation. They want revolutionary parties and their leaders to lead the transformation forward. Domestically, all the people are hoping for a bright future. Internationally, revolutionary parties and organizations are suspicious whether the Nepalese Maoists will prove victorious or be defeated. They are in a dilemma and they are warning us about the way ahead. In this critical situation, the Unified CPN-M has roared from the heart of Kathmandu, Tundikhel.
The unity has opened a highway for the further unification of communist parties and organizations into one single centre. According to Prime Minister and Chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) this unity is the process towards the formation of a single centre of Nepalese communists, as the unified power of Nepalese people against reactionaries and a foundation of accomplishment of remaining revolution.
Central Committee Member of Unified CPN-Maoist, Narayan Kaji Shrestha “Prakash”, said the parties merged in order to complete the communist movement. He also stated to the mass that the party is committed to establish the People’s Republic and therefore they would not tolerate any attempts to retain the traditional parliamentary democracy.
The first meeting of Unified CPN-Maoist is already being held in which 137 Central Committee members are participating. The meeting is expected to expand the central committee by adding 38 members more to a total of 175 members.
Prachanda contended that after we entered into the peace process, the reactionary elements, inside and outside the country, thought that CPN-Maoist would split into three fragments. This, however, did not happen.
Prachanda added: “We are now advancing ahead through the critical situation. In this period, we have a great responsibility to institutionalize and transfer the declared republic in to People’s Democratic republic. We want to carry the original Peace Process, brought by Nepalese people, in to a logical end. It will be the correct way for national sovereignty and independency. We want to write a constitution, which protects the rights and benefits of the peasants and the workers, through the constituent assembly. To accomplish the historical task, we have no other weapon than the unity of the Nepalese people and unity of the revolutionary communist parties. The more the reactionaries hatch conspiracies against Nepalese people and the Maoist party, the more unity and the resistance power the Nepalese people get. The declaration of the new unity is the result of the same process.”
Prachanda believes that the formation of single revolutionary party is possible in Nepal. He asserted that “there is no alternative power than communist to protect the national sovereignty and the independence” of Nepal. He appealed to “the entire leftist, progressive and the patriotic forces to be united into single revolutionary front”.
Rachanda is of the opinion that: “There will be two misfortunes if the present government falls down. First, the future of the Nepalese people and Nepal will de lost into darkness. Second, a big hurricane of the struggles will come and people will capture the state power if the ‘kings’, feudal lords and their puppets try to overturn the present government…”
Prachanda had a message for India as well. He said: “India is an independent sovereign country like Nepal. It is the most influential neighbour in accordance with the Nepal-India Friendship treaty of 1950. As good friends are supposed to be, India should not interfere in their friend’s internal affairs. India should play a responsible role while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nepal. … India’s duties are not to intervene into neighbouring countries’ internal affairs. If India feels injustice from the activities of Nepal, she has every right to sue against Nepal at international court of justice and the dispute can be settled by peaceful manner by arbitration in international community. According to international law there is variety of ways for settling the disputes between India and Nepal except illegal intervention. Two recent incidents involving law enforcement agencies of Nepal and India will further highlight the gravity of the situation.”
One alleged Indian physician, A.K. Gupta, was arrested in Chitwan, Nepal in connection with a nefarious human organs smuggling racket. The government prosecutor was planning to produce him to court and precede a case under Nepal Criminal Law. In the mean time, Indian police force illegally entered into Nepal territory and arrived in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, New Delhi was pressuring the Nepal government through repeated phone calls to surrender the detainee to India. According to India-Nepal Sugauli treaty of 1817 and Nepal treaty act of 1990, article 9 (i), he has a right to stay in Nepal. As a natural person, his individual liberty cannot be infringed except under law. The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2006, article 12 (1) (2) respectively guaranteed the right to life with dignity and personal liberty. Rights relating to justice are guaranteed by the above-mentioned constitution article 24. He has right to seek and obtain justice in Nepal because initially Nepal police arrested and detained him for two days in Nepal.
Next case of human rights violation is a mystery even today.
As the Peninsula Online web posted on September 18th that two Pakistani citizens were arrested by Nepal Police from a hotel in Kathmandu. These two were asked to pay their bills in the middle of the night by the hotel staff and were swiftly accompanied by Nepal police and handed over to Indian authorities across the border. Apparently, the reason behind handing over the suspects was the increasing pressure coming from the Indian side. And, even to this day, the Indian authorities have not furnished any evidence to the culpability of these Pakistani nationals or on their conditions. India, under the international law, has the responsibility to provide Nepal government with the information if she follows the norms and values of international law governing detainees. Indian government has no right whatsoever to detain them and hide them.
As India is the geographically larger state with a mammoth population in south Asia, her neighbours expect not to be treated in a highhanded manner as her partners in south Asia.
Let Nepal be sovereign. Do not terrorize Nepalese. Don’t threaten us, if India doesn’t think otherwise, Nepalese will think otherwise.
From Red Star Jan 16-31, 2009; sent by CPIML International Department