The Occupy Baluwatar Movement reached its 106 days of protesting and fighting against injustice. We talk to some youth dedicated to this movement about what this movement means to them.[break]
How did you first join Occupy Baluwatar?
Lasata: I found out about this movement through Facebook and through one of my friends who is very active in this movement. As I have to go to college in the morning, I go to Occupy Baluwatar regularly on Saturdays and my holidays.
Shail: Up until the 22nd day, I hadn’t gone to protest although I was following the details. Once I got there and saw what it was really like, I started going regularly as well as documenting the process.
Bhaswor Ojha/Republica
L to R: Dr Sundip Gurung, Dr Umesh Bogati, Lasata Manandhar, Shail Shrestha, Pratik Shrestha and Sushant Rijal
Sundip: I had read an article about Sita Rai which was spreading rapidly in the social media, after which I got to know about the movement and joined in.
Umesh: I heard about Occupy Baluwatar through a friend. Since I work in a hospital, I don’t get to join in as often as I like to but I make it a point to be present whenever I am free.
Sushant: My sister had participated in the protest and that’s how I came to know about it at first. When I found out that this was an open movement led by common people, I started going frequently.
Pratik: I came to know about Occupy Baluwatar through the social media and have been regular in the movement since the 2nd day.
What does this movement mean to you?
Shail: After joining the movement, I came to the realization that we’re the decision-makers. We have this tendency of thinking that others will take decisions for us. Everybody knows that injustice is happening. This movement proves that making decisions is in our hands.
Sundip: Everyone talks about patriotism. Occupy Baluwatar is a platform where we can prove our love for our country. It’s an opportunity for the youth do something for our country.
Sushant: There wasn’t any ideological conflict. Everyone was in for justice, and the movement was participatory. So it felt like the movement was also a part of me. In a way, while fighting for people who have suffered injustice, we’re also fighting for ourselves because what happened to them today can happen to any one of us tomorrow.
Pratik: Occupy Baluwatar is a unique example of peaceful protesting, different from all the bandas and burning-tyres culture which we are used to.
Lasata: Like Pratik said, it’s an epitome of a non-violent protest. The very first day that I went there, it awakened feelings of nationalism and patriotisms in me.
Umesh: This movement is about taking the chance to do something on your own rather than blaming others for their inaction. We’ve been dedicated to this movement and plan to continue it in the future as well if our demands aren’t met.
From allegations of being funded by certain organizations to the movement being diverted from its objectives, there have been some criticisms about Occupy Baluwatar. What are your views on them?
Sundip: We’re so used to not being delivered what was promised that no matter what one does, people will be critical about it. When someone criticizes without knowing the issue at hand in depth, that isn’t good. And that’s what’s happening. I believe that there has been a bit of confusion, even in the media, about the movement’s goals. We have short-term and long-term goals. Our short-term goals include the five cases of violence against women whereas our long-term goal seeks to end impunity and political protection.
Shail: It’s obvious that at one point, criticisms will start to come in. Critical thinking isn’t necessarily bad. I think that those who criticize need to be more aware about the realities of the movement before saying anything about it and not just be negative about the movement from what they’ve heard elsewhere.
Pratik: About Occupy Baluwatar diverting from its agenda, I would like to say that it’s true that Occupy Baluwatar started off with the case of Sita Rai, which in itself is an issue of impunity as well as gender-based violence. The agenda here is addressing the problem of impunity which is prevalent in our country while also focusing on other issues of injustice. Occupy Baluwatar became this platform to seek justice.
Sushant: Criticisms could also have come in because of differences in perspectives. There were some who came to the movement and discontinued because perhaps they felt that their perspective wasn’t counted. There were people who believed that blocking roads and calling strikes was the way to go, which differed from the non-violent characteristic of Occupy Baluwatar. Also, it’s not necessary that everyone’s perspective is implemented. Everyone is heard but the idea which is favored by many is put into practice. Failing to internalize a collective decision as one’s own might also lead to conflict and such criticisms.
What would you say are the achievements of this movement till date?
Sundip: If we look at our short-term demands, most of them have had positive developments. Apart from reaching our targets, I feel that the biggest achievement of Occupy Baluwatar is that it has managed to gather likeminded youth of this country.
Umesh: Occupy Baluwatar has shown us that to have our demands met, we don’t have to join political parties or take up violent measures.
Lasata: After joining the movement, I’ve become a believer in the fact that when the public unites, we’re able to bring about changes. Power is in our hands. This realization the movement has given to many.
Shail: Occupy Baluwatar got people speaking. We’ve heard about how so many people came to report similar cases of injustice which happened to them after finding out about Occupy Baluwatar. Hence, the movement was able to motivate people not to stay silent and to stand up for themselves.
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