I appreciate the courage demonstrated by these young, tech-savvy educated urban youths who have dared to stand up against banda as a disruptive political action which no one dared in the past. This action, for me, is the result of emerging rationale consciousness amongst the young generation that has prudently chosen to capitalize on social networking media to challenge contemptuous culture of banda that has negative implications on public life at large.
Although initially employed by the political elites to advance civil resistance and demonstrate non-violent public protests against contentious issues surrounding democracy and human rights, banda, at present, is condemned for being established as an irrational and disruptive political action as well as culture. Consequently, virtue of banda as an instrument of non-violent public resistance has not only been deeply discredited and controversial, but of late has triggered widespread anti-banda sentiments leading to defiance and resistance on the streets with messages that it does not solve any problems.
One should understand that the educated and civilized young generation is not ready to accept anything that halts civil life; therefore, it would be wise for protagonists of banda to find an alternative way that is constructive.
Banda in Nepal has always been a powerful instrument for political actors who use it strategically for various (none) political purposes. The political parties and their leaders have until now believed in their unchallenged autonomy and capacity to mobilize people on the streets. However, challenging this notion, the young generation of Nepal is on its way trying to demonstrate that social networking media like blogs, Facebook and Twitter can also organize and mobilize people as any political actors and their networks would. It is notable that mobilization through social networking media can not only be voluntary but its effects can definitely increase public awareness against irrational social, political action and discredit its organizers. In any case, it is being increasingly evident that any disrupting political action like banda can be resisted and opposed by the use of social networking media. Nepali youths seem to have responded and acknowledged this strength in recent times. Therefore, here are few critical points for political actors to keep in mind before calling for disruptive political actions including banda in the future.
First, as history has shown, people would stand with political leaders to support only a consensually agreed grand cause relating to freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law, as was the case of Jana Andolan I and II. If, fallaciously drawing on the same virtue, political leaders believe that people will always continue to support their disrupting actions like banda on the streets, it is their mistake. Second, banda as a means of public disobedience always divides people and in its severest form can disintegrate social capital such as trust, social network, and tolerance and social relations needed for a society to function. Unfortunately, Nepali society has been deeply divided by politics along lines of class and ideology and after 2006, in line with politicized socio-cultural agendas such as caste, ethnicity, identity, religion, and so on. In such a fragile social condition, banda can exacerbate tension between its organizers and opponents while society may experience gradual social disintegration. It has to stop at a certain point before it is too late.
The emerging conscious, educated, dynamic young generation in the country seems to have been moved by this grave reality, therefore, have been attempting to get organized against banda of all kinds in the first place. The young generation is conscious; they have wisdom, and are not likely to be easily mobilized by political elites to pursue narrow political goals. Bearing this fact in mind, one should understand that the educated and civilized young generation is not ready to accept anything that halts civil life; therefore, it would be wise for protagonists of banda to find an alternative way that is constructive to pursue their agendas on the street.
Third, and perhaps more importantly, banda directly affects the local and national economy as well as the everyday life of people. When banda starts becoming the multiplier of poverty and initiates economic deprivation amongst ordinary people, public backlash is inevitable. The peace negotiation and ensuing peace process have almost failed to bring tangible peace dividend to public life. Contrary to what everyone expected, economic growth of the nation has been crippled by frequent strikes and closures in the name of political and non-political issues. In such a frustrating juncture, the young people who have come on the streets to defy banda are not only resisting disruptive political behavior but also sending strong signals to seek a constructive alternative to banda. Being a banda defiant, the conscious young generation is demanding something simple: A secured environment in which they can start an entrepreneurship and / or a productive economic life. In other words, the call against banda is symbolically a call for economically active and non-politicized public life.
As the situation unfolds, in the future there may be a confrontation between those who call for banda and those that defy it. Political elites obsessed with the concept of banda might think they are smart and know how to crush anyone who stands on their way. But they should always remember that if they know how to deal with opponents, the conscious young generation also knows how to use Facebook, Twitter and/or blogs.
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