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Conflicts and Coexistence in Nepal

Vinaya Kasajoo
Journalist
www.kasajoo.com 

Every day and every year has its own importance and makes history of its own kind but the year 2001 holds special significance for the reason that Nepal is conducting its census, held every ten years. Conducting the census is arduous but this time it is going to be more difficult because people have understood the importance of census and different communities and ethno-lingual groups are determined to ensure that the census maintains their religion, language, profession and other vital statistics that oblige the policy makers to consider the socio-economic status of various groups while drafting policies and making decisions.

Age old discriminations against women, Dalits and the disadvantaged people are such in plenty in Nepal that they amply state why the country has remained undeveloped for so long and why the democratic culture still remains a wish for the people. The excess of the feudal practices is the reason why the Kamaiya or bonded labour system existed for so long even after the reinstatement of democracy in the country.

So different is Nepal's geographical setting and its multi-faceted diversity that it stands "unique" in many respects. The diversity of the country is not only visible in the faces of people but in flora and fauna. Stretched only 150 kms north-south, the land ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the tallest 8852 meter Everest peak. Nowhere in the planet Earth is so much of divergence in the climate and culture and costumes within such a small area of land. As a result, Nepal is another name of diversities and for this reason, it is unthinkable that Nepal could or should ever be homogenous.

The varied geographical settings and the wide ethnic, linguistic and religious differences have been the bedrock to the development of the civilization and cultural set up of the country. Religion and culture have been so much part of the people that even those who call themselves 'revolutionary' dare not trespass the religious and cultural boundries, otherwise the consequences would be beyond control. Just like water diluting sugar and salt, the people of Nepal have diluted the varied diversity. Harmony and coexistence are not only the country's specialities but a compulsion as well.

Relating to this backdrop, it is also surmised by some that violence could erupt when different communities, striving for their identity, wage a movement against all the existing inequalities. Some people have even held the view that on the basis of racial groups and linguistic backgrounds Nepal could one day break up as a nation into federal states. But with countries opting to be globalised under the World Trade Organisation, it is not only irrelevant but also fatal to think of breaking the country on the ground of racial and linguistic differences. The sovereignty of the country has to be defended, but by solving the existing disparities and inequalities. Despite equal provision for all in the constitution of Nepal, disparities between different communities are still pervasive.

Realising the gravity of conflicts and the reality of coexistence, efforts should be made at the earliest to narrow down the differences in the sharing of resources and state services and solve the conflicts in the way that the way conflicts are solved don't trigger more conflicts.