As if the suffering caused by the agitation in Tarai Madhesh and Indian blockade was not enough, Sadbhavana Party (SP) Chairman Rajendra Mahato has now come out thundering, insisting that China should also impose a blockade on Nepal. "In the wake of continued Indian blockade, even China should impose a blockade on Nepal," Mahato recently said.Last month, the self-proclaimed Messiah of Madhesh had told an Indian newspaper that agitation across Tarai was launched under India's directive. "What is good for India is good for Madhesh. We are grateful to India," he proudly said.
Tarai has been burning for more than 80 days. Fifty lives have been lost. But Mahato does not care. He wants Nepal to suffer more at India's hands. So I must ask him: What has he done for Madhesh?
More than 50 percent of the youth from Tarai plains are toiling abroad for their livelihood. Thousands of others are waiting to leave. Once normalcy is restored in Madhesh, they will leave. But this is the last thing Mahato wants to talk about.
When he was a minister for five years, he did not visit his constituency back home. Nor did he take a single step to address genuine grievances of Madhesh: unemployment, poverty and illiteracy. There is a not a single hospital and school to his credit in Madhesh.
Still, Madheshi people have forgiven him. Hindu philosopher Manu says the intoxicated, the insane and the children are immune from criminal liabilities. Madheshis people consider Mahato one of these. Hence, they have spared him.
We have had enough of Rajendra Mahato's invectives. Sometime ago, he said those who speak against Madhesh will have their fingers chopped off. He has been delivering hate speeches against hill community. He knows how to captivate the radical mass in Madhesh. He recently announced that he would not land in Kathmandu unless Madheshis' demands are met. This is a lie. Mahato will forget Madhesh and Madheshis once he gets to power in Kathmandu. This is what he has been doing all these years.
He was badly defeated by Mahendra Raya Yadav in the last CA polls because people were sick of him and his empty promises. When it comes to national interests, Mahato has always sided with India. Once he declared that loss of Madheshi leaders in CA polls is tantamount to defeat of India in Nepal. He has made it appear like Madheshis are Indians. Save for some who want to reap benefits by proving their loyalty to India, most Madheshis are proud of being Nepalis and they want to remain so.
Mahato has no record of speaking against violence against women and dowry systems—the twin problems that have plagued entire Madhesh.
His party SP announced resignation from the CA but when it came to Prime Minister's election all his leaders appeared in the parliament to vote. It is clear why Mahato's party returned to the parliament wherefrom he had severed his ties: he was ordered by India to do so.
Mahato has been selling a false promise that once Madhesh defects from Nepal, it will become a dream state. Another lie. He only instigates the weaker sections of Madheshi community, who are not even aware of their rights. The leader that has not done a single good thing to Madhesh talks about making Madhesh a dream state.
Mahato and his party are discredited forces. The only leader from this party who won CA II polls under first past the post system is Sanjaya Shah, who is a notorious gangster. He was convicted and has lost his seat as well.
Mahato claims that Chinese assistance to Nepal is against Madhesh. He has also vowed to take initiative to breed anti-China sentiments if China keeps helping Nepal. No sane leader would think like this.
I have nothing personal against Mahato. My concern is that he has been misrepresenting Madheshis with all the nonsense and hate speeches. He should be called what he is: Master of lies.
Finally, I have a piece of humble advice for Mahato: Work for the cause of Madhesh. The Almighty will bless you. Keep your promise of not returning to Kathmandu unless demands of Madheshis are fulfilled. But don't forget, Madheshis want jobs, education and equality more than loyalty to India and economic blockade.
The author is a Nepali student of Law at Dehradun, India
jhajivesh@gmail.com
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