The Blockade-Culprit: Them or us?

A blockade-hit youth from Kathmandu -- just like many others-- rambles his frustrations, contemplates on reasons, mulls over solutions in this piece.

The shortage of fuel seems like the least of their worries for most of the people, but come and think of it-- it’s like a chain reaction! Think from the surface, without fuel, there’s nothing!

The recent outrage ‘We don’t need your fuel’ sounds theoretically correct and we have every right to say so! It’s our constitution and India should have just as much concern over it as a neighbor does- and no more. It’s not like we have passed a bill for Enrichment of Uranium or something that poses as a threat to their national security. By no means should India ask for amendment of our constitution as per its convenience.

However, go a little deep in that thought process—practically, in today’s world where we mostly, directly or indirectly depend on petro-products, it’s actually impossible to say that we can do away without fuel. We will walk or cycle-- we might, but for how long?

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The main problem is that the general public is walking on a slab of thin ice here, those who were not involved ‘directly’ in any decision that led to today’s scenario! Most people go around saying “Kathmanduites this, Kathmanduites that” but to be honest, I bet no one in Kathmandu ever said that “Madhesi’s voices shouldn’t be heard” or “Don’t give the marginalized their rights”. Why are people of Madhes blaming people of Kathmandu? Just because Kathmandu is the capital and the decisions are made here doesn’t mean it’s entirely made by the people residing here.

Yes, we voted for our representatives and most of us were happy with the constitution on its promulgation, which we ourselves are saying needs certain positive amendments. So should we be punished for feeling so?

And when will we grow up and start understanding the politics of it all? What wrong have we done as citizens? Why do we always have to face such issues?

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Let’s take the current scenario into account! The weakness and double-faced nature of our politicians have led us to today’s state. Here we are with all varieties of difficulties at hand but look at them! While hundreds of people are stranded at bus stations, they’re getting all the fuel they want! The blockades can’t block them! They’ve made a mess out of if!

Why should we bear the burden? When will we learn? Why should we wait hours for a micro bus, why should we suffer? Why should we bear the burden of a ‘crime’ we didn’t commit? While those who dragged us to this situation get away with statements and official sympathies…

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A blockade is a blockade no matter what- official or unofficial, the terms are mere tags. The recent outbursts over social media is praiseworthy and definitely accounted for but those things are moot, to be honest. Seriously, if these acts could make the Indian state wary and consider removing the blockade, they’d not have imposed it on us in the first place.

The only solution we can and we should look for is to pressurize the politicians of Nepal! It’s because of their visionless-ness and weak diplomacy that we are where we are-- in deep, deep, trouble.

Gathering at the Indian embassy, cooking and handing over petitions and ‘oil’ will do nothing. They already have enough oil, in their ears.

Rather, block oil-supplies to the politicans’ homes, especially to those in charge! Let ‘them’ face the blockade and maybe then they will act.

They can’t feel real suffering because they’re shielded by facilities which they get for doing absolutely nothing!

The must also realize how hard it is to get a liter of petrol. Or walk to office or cling on to a Toyota micro bus with 25 other people-- while the maximum capacity is perhaps 12-15 people-- hanging on the doors, with an uncertainty of falling down on the road.

Let them know how hard it is to catch a public-transport from NAC. Let them know how hard it is to cook without LPG! Let them face hunger, uncertainty- the pain of not knowing if they can celebrate the upcoming festivities with their families far far away. Just because they leech on state-money and face only a little of the larger problem, it doesn’t mean every citizen in country feels the same way.

And yet we smile and suffer and are still willing to take on with the circumstances- the stubborn Nepalis that we are.

Unless ‘they’ actually know how the people who live on day-to-day income basis are suffering from the blockade, they will put oil in their ears and continue with their rash remarks. This is not the time for such remarks or populist statements.

We must put the pressure on our leaders rather than putting it on ourselves. Of course we must speak up, when a platform is so given- but things must not stop at that. Let’s not take a break after ‘trending’ a few issues.

Our leaders must come to a right decision-- whether that is gained by opening trades with China or by whatever way they can- of course without ‘ bowing down to India’.

Because if we compromise one more time in the name of good-neighborhood and diplomacy, in the days to come, our future generations are going to suffer like we are suffering now.

We all know and we do not ask for the impossible ties-end with India- the reliance stays in a form or other regardless of any trade possibilites with China. But that doesn’t mean alternatives don’t exist.

This question eats me up, are our so called leaders quiet because they don’t have to face the problems that we are facing because of the blockade? Why are they hesitating to look for an alternative, that too aggressively?

Will we always allow this bullying, this intimidation?

And us, if we can unite on a hate cause, why not unite and put positive but organized pressure on the government to ‘change’? Change for real- not just a small-talk topic.

Since we can find solidarity in stuffs like trending on twitter and hardcore patriotism, Why not join hands to become a better nation? Find alternatives? Are we capable?