In Nepal, Gandhi´s non-violent method today faces criticism, particularly from academicians and politicians. As political parties have legitimized violence for a change, it can be understood why they have failed to denounce it. Nevertheless; it is quite shocking on the part of writers to justify the ´violence´ not only as a necessary means for political change, but undisputable feature of life and nature!
To those believers, I raise the same questions as raised by Ram Manohar Lohiya, an influential Indian Socialist leader in 1951 – ´Is Gandhi only a luxury in the modern world? Is Thoreau only meant for an idle hour, to read and to revere, but not to affect our daily lives? So far, the Gandhis and Thoreaus have not entered the mainstream of life´. He further opined: "For if men will not fight injustice with weapons of peace, others will come up who will fight it with weapons oh; the usual weapons, the atom bomb, the dagger, the revolver and the like."
Gandhi and Nidhi are not the luxury of the modern world, rather powerful human beings who fought injustice peacefully and invest much of their time in introspection. There is enough literature on Gandhi, but almost non-existent on Nidhi, a man who voiced his arguments in favor of peaceful movement against his own party decisions. This article will therefore focus on the magnanimity of Nidhi who in spite of such a great contribution to Nepali politics has remained unknown to many till date.
Though I am a tiny man to talk on the greatness of such a soul, but having spent my childhood in Janakpur and seeing him in all his grandeur, I take this attempt as an opportunity and call upon politicians, academicians, and journalists to research and reflect on his social and political life. At a time when violence reigns supreme and non-violent political approach faces multi- dimension attack, Nidhi becomes even more prominent. I personally am a proud generation to pass the legacy of such a personality to future generations.
I believe similar would be the emotions for many among us who would want our children to feel pride in our history and those who shaped it. Indeed, Nidhi was one such leader who influenced his time and through his life has given enough space for skeptics to doubt whether it is possible to live such a life. After all, there are many ´learned ones´ in our country doubting the merits of those who have attempted to mingle politics with spirituality.
Thinking about Nidhi, I am reminded of the stanzas of poet Mir:
Miliye us shakhs se jo aadam hove
Naaz usko kamaal par bahut kam hove;
Ho garm-e-sakhun to gird aawe yak khalaq,
Khamosh rahe to ek aalam hove.
(A man who is truly human, let us love and seek,
Despite his mighty talent, such a man is meek;
The world flocks around him when he doth discourse,
He´s a world in himself, when silence he doth keep)
Mahendra Narayan Nidhi remained accountable to central committee decisions. His importance in Congress was not realized earlier. Neither was it appreciated when he was in favor of non-violent movement, nor was he applauded for his lifelong commitment to ´political accountability´. And, to much surprise, it is yet to be realized today!
Nidhi was true to his words. He never craved for ´power´ as today´s politicians. When Nepali Congress’ internal conflict was at a height, the central committee meeting of July 27, 1994 reached a compromise by declaring that Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Girija Prasad Koirala and Mahendra Narayan Nidhi will not contest the election of November 1994. Nidhi did not contest, but Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai did. He remained accountable to central committee decisions. His importance in Congress was not realized in those days. Neither was it appreciated when he was in favor of non-violent movement, nor was he applauded for his lifelong commitment to ´political accountability´. And, to much surprise, it is yet to be realized today!
No one knows how Mahendra Narayan Nidhi would have reacted to the Madesh movement. How he would have responded to the changes brought forth by the Maoist and social movements as well as April uprising? What would have been his stake on managing the contentious issues of today´s Nepali politics? These are questions that are yet to be explored. Nevertheless; with my personal understanding that I have developed about him since childhood, I can claim that he would have never compromised with his belief of ´non-violence´.
Not only Madesh, but the entire country should learn from Mahendra Narayan Nidhi´s life. I adore him not because he loved me, played with me when I was a kid, but his life, legacy and practices are marvels. He was quite gender sensitive as I have seen him giving the highest regard to his wife. Most importantly; he never promoted nepotism and neither pressured the bureaucracy to act in favor of Congress cadres. Though Nepal´s bureaucracy humiliated him again and again, particularly in the ´citizenship´ case, he always advised Congress cadres to follow the process.
His ´way of doing´ politics resonates the values enshrined in the highest form of knowledge. Nepali politics that is marred by violence, deceit, and collapse of morals will at least find some respite only if it finds time to introspect on the likes of Gandhi and Nidhi. October 2 was one such day. Perhaps, Nidhi´s life and thought will be more pronounced once his handwritten diary is published. ´Naanu´ (Nidhi´s nickname) please accept my tribute.
Sameer is the author of Unfinished Journey: The Story of a Nation
sharmasumit77@gmail.com
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