“Despite all the challenges, civil society activists met each other every day,” said Subodh Raj Pyakurel, a noted civil society activist and chairperson of Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC).[break]
“We met with the leaders like Girija Prasad Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Nepal, who were under house arrest. We were in regular touch with even the Maoist representatives (the organization was banned then),” claimed Pyakurel, adding, “But now we barely meet with the political leaders. None of us have time to meet.” Pyakurel said that civil society leaders hardly convene once a month these days.
Occupy Baluwatar campaigners protest outside the prime minister´s residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu earlier this month. The movement launched to call for end to impunity marked 100th day on April 6.
Renowned writer and one of the widely read columnists Khagendra Sangraula does not find this unusual. He opined that civil society leaders no longer have common agendas and have serious differences on issues like state restructuring, federalism and autonomy. “All of them returned to their own nests after the movement was over. Representatives of non governmental organizations returned to their business, lawyers returned to Nepal Bar Association and so did others,” he said.
Civil society has remained fragmented ever since. People affiliated to political parties and commoners, who were not aligned with any organization, had participated in the movement for a common goal. They fought for common agendas like democratic constitution through Constituent Assembly (CA), rule of law, human rights, freedom of press and others. People were fed up with violence and suppression of democratic norms and values by the state. “So people from all strata of society joined the movement and achieved the goals,” said Sangraula, “Now, the chance of any movement growing that big is slim as all have divergent goals.”
Pyakurel conceded that civil society is only a critical mass and does not remain united for long like political parties. “It is rainbow cohesion; people from different walks of life had joined the movement that succeeded to drag political parties to national agendas. That made Janaandolan II successful and the movement got national and international recognition too,” he said. But later even the leaders of civic movement plunged into disputes. They hankered after the seats in the CA. Even political parties lured them but later shared seats among themselves. Pyakurel said that political parties, who succeeded in making the country Republic, failed to manage the crisis well and provide a constitution to the nation.
He acknowledges that representatives of civil society are as divided as the political parties on certain issues and people have grown frustrated with both.
Popular folk singer Rubin Gandarva, who encouraged people to join the movement through his popular songs, feels cheated and used by both parties and civil society. “Common people like me were convinced by the appeals of the civil society and political parties but they simply used us as a ladder in their climb to the power,” he said, adding, “The then monarchy did not understand the public sentiments and political parties cashed in on it. One was forced out and now several others have emerged who exploit the state coffers.”
He asked all to think twice before they cast their ballot in the next CA election. “We should think whether we have been making mistake while choosing parties,” he said. Gandarva’s opinion might be shared by many and it is a clear indication that there are fissures between political leaders, civil society, and common people.
Daman Nath Dhungana, a civil society crusader feels that parties betrayed the civil society.
“I myself have long expertise in constitution writing process and have played role of moderator between the then Maoist rebels and the government,” said Dhungana, adding, “They even did not think it necessary to take me to CA.” According to Dhungana, the CA failed to deliver constitution as there was no effective mediator in the House who could play a positive role to narrow down the differences between the parties. Role of civil society is vital in the CA to resolve differences among parties,” he added. He said that the CA was bound to fail, as the parties tried to find solutions from outside the CA. Dhungana opined that the nation has been drowned in the crisis of legitimacy and so does civil society.
“Most of the agendas of the Janaandolan II are yet to be addressed, therefore, civil society leaders must unite once again,” said Padma Ratna Tuladhar, another renowned civil society activist. “Now, the political parties should pay heed to the civil society.”
He said that the CA would not have met such a fate if it had representations from civil society. “We must unite to caution those who want to create chaos in the country,” he added. He believes that the representatives of civil society could intervene to tone down the differences among parties. Tuladhar also disclosed that civil society leaders have been discussing to register their own party. “For strong representation we have been mulling to register separate parties at the Election Commission to contest under proportional system,” he said. Tuladhar, however, said that the idea is in the nascent stage and is yet to take final shape.
Dhungana said that role of civil society is always important in the society for its stability and prosperity. Writer Sangraula said that mass media could be effective means for civil society members to the mass public with their respective views as he does not see chances of being big civil society movement immediately.
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