Prescript: I had posted this piece in some other thread, then again, I figured it would draw more intelligent opinions in its own entirety. I don't know much about Maoism and their ways, but I hope we can share whatever we know to make a better understanding of the politics and principles of Maoism. After all, it is for people.
To understand Maoists, first we must understand Maoism. Pardon me if I am biased or narrow: as they say, Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi! The King is Dead, Long Live the King!
Nepal, a landlocked country with a stable economy and sustainability until 2046 BS revolution has since been rendered emaciated and pilfered in the quest for stability and prosperity. Was the 2046 revolution people's war and victory or Political parties or India for that matter? Whatever it was, it was surely not the people's war, and certainly not a victory. We hailed the democracy amidst the bedlam and chaos, and 18 years later, we are at the same place, only lesser.
When Mao Zedong implemented the communism in his own version in the foundation of People's Republic of China from the past feudal China, little did he know that the very power that made his quest possible will only destroy his quarry. Even Den Xiaoping saw the flaws in the system, under which close to 70 million people perished of hunger and tortures during the The Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. If China is a huge economical superpower today, I assure you it was not because of Maoism but rather Deng's farsight and understanding of the technical drawbacks in the system propounded for overall good. He altered the course of approach and, despite remaining loyal to the core of Maoism, implemented the necessary tools to embolden the might of Chinese hegemony.Today, the world sees the result.
Nepal is a small country. Nepal is a peaceful country. But foremost, Nepal is a poor country. The rise of a country is not the political court, which still being the primary of any country's system, but the rise of its common people. The rise of GDP, the availabilty of job and most importantly, a strong educational foundation et al are the main ingredients of peace and progress. In the last 18 years of democracy, Nepal, by the merit of vital stats, has been pushed back to 50 years. Foreign aids are unaccounted for, infrastructure next to nothing, and protests and rallies and closures rampantly affecting daily lives are not surely the sign of progress, but it is ebbing towards an uncertainty each day passing.
If we are happy or even hopeful that Maoists are going to bring a new dawn of peace and prosperity, it is a great courage on our part. And I hope we sustain this courage to eke through our daily lives.
The issue here is why we hate Maoists, but I would urge to reconsider. We need not hate Maoists. They are fed up of the system and want to bring stability and peace in the country, by making everyone equal. That way, there will be no class discrimination and equal distribution of wealth and assets, which is a vital core of any infrastructure of a country's system. But is it possible, and will it succeed? It has not, so far. In history, such systems have only pushed back the country into abysmal state of deploration. If future holds something new and fresh, we should remain hopeful.
I hope we will not see another Zimbabwe in making, neither do I wish our Nepal to end up like Cuba. I donot understand the complications of politics and its belief system, but a mere observer and common man, I rather have enough food on my plate than a freedom of speaking the unspeakable truth. Then again, freedom is much greater than hunger, or is it the other way around? Some say, It is better to die free rather than live like a slave, and some say, Hunger is the greatest truth of mankind, it doesn't differentiate in slave and master. I have a dilemma which to acknowledge. Freedom or hunger?
We don't hate Maoists. We shouuldn't hate Maoists. We should hate ourselves for letting this happen. What is happening? should you ask, I would say, we are preparing our own pyres. Needless to say, it is not Maoists or Monarchy or Governement, it is common people who makes things possible. If you create famine, and then provide food, you won't be a god, you will just be another shylock. We should ponder upon it. Last I heard, they pay you about 80 Rs per head to participate in the protests and closures. You do the math, how much do you need to close Nepal for one day. Then question yourself, why it is 80 Rs per head. Then answer youself, and it will dawn upon you. Freedom wins or Hunger!
PS: My snippets are extracted through various discussions, sources and my own rationale. I do not intend to offend anybody's intelligence by some crude remarks made here, but at the same time, I urge you to ponder upon this very non sequitur.