It was the responsibility of the elected government, which ousted the king and established democracy, to complete the transformation of Nepal into a republic by adopting a constitution. People including me had urged Maoists, who had come into the mainstream of democracy for more than ten years, to do that. Unfortunately, it was not given priority.
In the past 10 years, there were seven prime ministers. The process of adopting the constitution was postponed again and again. It led to a situation in which there were only a temporary constitution, a temporary parliament and a temporary government. It was not desirable. Thus, after much coercion, (it is an irony that a deadly earthquake helped) the process was completed. Now Nepal has adopted a secular, democratic and republican constitution. Naturally, this upset Hindutva forces in India, because they expected the return of a Hindu nation in Nepal.
Though the constitution has been adopted, Madhesis of Nepal have complaints. The issue they are raising is that their demands were not included in the constitution. They are protesting and there have been clashes on this issue. Hindutva forces openly support the protest.
In this background, Modi government took the most destructive stand and blocked cargo movement from India to Nepal. Everyone knows that Nepal’s economic lifeline is dependent on the arrival of essential goods such as fuel and food products from India.
The blockade of cargo movement and the misery faced by the people of Nepal are fanning anti-India sentiment in that country in a big way. The unofficial blockade of cargo movement is not only inhuman but also capable of causing irreparable damage to centuries-old brotherhood between India and Nepal. Now there is no point in blaming that China is stepping into Nepal. It is the attitude of the Modi government that is leading to it. This is against the interests of India.
India should take steps immediately to normalise cargo movement. Modi government should be willing to respect the decisions taken by the people of Nepal using their sovereignty. Thus, the traditional friendship and brotherhood must be restored. The political leadership of Nepal should be willing to hold elections as per the new constitution as soon as possible. Through that the rule of the constitution and the sovereignty of a secular, democratic republic must come into force.
There is one thing that I have felt always: India and Nepal are like twins. There is no age difference, and they share happiness and sadness. Policies that destroy this relationship will only help to strengthen anti-India sentiment in our neighbourhood. In the past 16 months, ties with neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh have worsened. Now Nepal too is added to that group.
(The writer is the general secretary of CPM)
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