Nepal is a land of breathtaking diversity. It is a country that provides a memorable experience to those who have visited with the most diverse interests. Nepal possesses the diverse variety of attractions found nowhere in the world. She is a natural and cultural heritage, a living museum and abode of gods. Within a span of 100 miles, in Nepal one can find the majestic highest pick of the Himalayas the Mt. Everest to the tropical jungle in the Gangetic plains homelands of the Bengal tigers and one horned rhinoceros. The people of this mysterious country form a rich and intriguing ethnic tapestry. Nepal is full of superlatives, myths and legends. Even legendary Guarkha soldiers are from Nepal.
Yet, beyond its natural beauty, Nepal is also a vibrant living museum of ancient civilizations with wonderful traditions of art and architecture. Nepal is comprised of people from different ethnic groups. They are more than 50 in number. But surprisingly, each maintains age-old customs and language. This is an unfathomable land that revels in apparently mystifying diversity but still retains a harmonious national character.This character is the tradition of honesty, loyalty, simplicity, hospitality and bravery that touch the heart of every single person who come closure to a Nepali person.
However, when I read news articles on political developments in Nepal, I usually find myself in wilderness. Every part of my body starts trembling because I see the diverse harmonious character of my beautiful birth place is plummeting. I read and can see the petty politicians are dividing simple people along ethnicity, religion, region and language.
Nepalgunj violence was a spark not yet fire. And what is happening in the Terai should be taken seriously especially by the politicians of Nepal. The situation in the region is alarmingly spreading hate and crime that will soon be beyond the capacity of Nepal to retain the region.
Can we Nepalese people think of Nepal minus the Terai region? I am sure we cannot. However, the situation is moving forward quickly in the same direction, which we do not want.
I think, I don’t have to mention in detail the conflicts of Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Lebanon, Lanka, Kashmir and etc. I sometimes wonder how I can be wrong what I see our country is heading towards. I have been writing and trying to communicate with the political leaders about it. Knowingly or unknowingly are we not becoming the part of the "Tragedy"?
I am an optimist. So I believe, yet, the time has not gone. Still a lot of things can be done.
The only way to find a solution to the Terai problem is the initiation of a meaningful dialogue with all political forces in the region without any delay and reservation. No more blaming the Medheshi movement as the atrocities inflamed by the monarchists and regressive forces. Undermining the movement will further escalate the conflict.
More democratic rights and respect of human rights can only be the way to solve the problems. No doubt, every ethnic group should get freedom in practicing their culture without any bar. This is a democratic norm and it is according to the principle of human rights.
But in the name of democratic rights, indulging in division creation for sake of political gains will bring furious violent conflict. I still see many political leaders have not yet learned the lesson. As a matter of fact the situation of the southern plains is in front of every Nepali. No more politics on religion, region, ethnicity, and languages. These are basic human rights.
Politics against human rights will bring doomsday for Nepal.
