The Interim Election Council in Nepal is calling on ‘fresh’ Constituent Assembly (CA) election soon this year while the minor parties outcry over four parties-led CA proposition. Whatever the outcome of the power talk may be, the reality stands in its place that both the major and minor parties combined, are responsible for the unconstitutional landing of our country and the demise of the previous CA.
While one group impels people to go for election, others demand the opposite. Where does the problem actually lie? And what are we, the people, suppose to do about it? Also, can fresh CA election alone guarantee a new constitution?
In my opinion, the problem lies in the very understanding of democracy. Democracy in Nepal has been guided by power-centric politics rather than the people. The unhealthy tussle within and between parties have turned people as mere voting objects. Hence, the need to reinstate the essence of democratic norms and values into societies is very much needed. Conducting elections and chanting democratic slogans would mean nothing if the people are not the ones who are on the deciding front.
In such a scenario, youth have a major responsibility and their participation can bring about a change to the whole movement.
If one wants to see change, one needs to do something about it. Youth too can enter politics and bring about alterations in the field. This can be done by either getting admitted to one of the parties of interest or by forming your own new party. One needs to perform constructive role in fostering real democratic norms and principles within the party activists and changes at the top of any political party hierarchy can be achieved with the pressure coming from the bottom. For those who want to start a party on their own, I wish them luck.
Also, young people can contribute from the outside. We have the right to choose and reject any party at any given point of time. Just because our fathers or grandfathers belonged to some party does not mean we have to endorse them too. In my point of view, youth now must choose to stay independent. For many, this idea might sound irrational and difficult but it is possible.
Being independent would mean being free to choose among options that’s best for you. Being an independent voter, it gives us the power to continuously engage with the value system of the party and the service it promises to deliver. This perspective could transform the entire dynamics of Nepali politics by redefining the negotiating pattern between the voters and the representatives. Parties will start losing confidence in their long-established vote banks and a gradual transformation can be attained from the politics of blind-faith to the politics of skepticism.
My suggestion to the youth is to stay more open, to be more vocal to argue about what we need from whom, and believe in what we receive not in what the leaders promise to deliver. While negotiating, people should have an upper hand. Doing so will change the relation of democracy and politics of Nepal.
New Nepal is possible when youth choose to elect issues not faces, lead prospects not flags. If just remaining independent would help us free our politically-tamed minds, then why not fight for freedom?
The writer is General Secretary at YUWA, a youth led organization.
for the article: http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54008#
While one group impels people to go for election, others demand the opposite. Where does the problem actually lie? And what are we, the people, suppose to do about it? Also, can fresh CA election alone guarantee a new constitution?
In my opinion, the problem lies in the very understanding of democracy. Democracy in Nepal has been guided by power-centric politics rather than the people. The unhealthy tussle within and between parties have turned people as mere voting objects. Hence, the need to reinstate the essence of democratic norms and values into societies is very much needed. Conducting elections and chanting democratic slogans would mean nothing if the people are not the ones who are on the deciding front.
In such a scenario, youth have a major responsibility and their participation can bring about a change to the whole movement.
If one wants to see change, one needs to do something about it. Youth too can enter politics and bring about alterations in the field. This can be done by either getting admitted to one of the parties of interest or by forming your own new party. One needs to perform constructive role in fostering real democratic norms and principles within the party activists and changes at the top of any political party hierarchy can be achieved with the pressure coming from the bottom. For those who want to start a party on their own, I wish them luck.
Also, young people can contribute from the outside. We have the right to choose and reject any party at any given point of time. Just because our fathers or grandfathers belonged to some party does not mean we have to endorse them too. In my point of view, youth now must choose to stay independent. For many, this idea might sound irrational and difficult but it is possible.
Being independent would mean being free to choose among options that’s best for you. Being an independent voter, it gives us the power to continuously engage with the value system of the party and the service it promises to deliver. This perspective could transform the entire dynamics of Nepali politics by redefining the negotiating pattern between the voters and the representatives. Parties will start losing confidence in their long-established vote banks and a gradual transformation can be attained from the politics of blind-faith to the politics of skepticism.
My suggestion to the youth is to stay more open, to be more vocal to argue about what we need from whom, and believe in what we receive not in what the leaders promise to deliver. While negotiating, people should have an upper hand. Doing so will change the relation of democracy and politics of Nepal.
New Nepal is possible when youth choose to elect issues not faces, lead prospects not flags. If just remaining independent would help us free our politically-tamed minds, then why not fight for freedom?
The writer is General Secretary at YUWA, a youth led organization.
for the article: http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=54008#
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