Nepal’s Maoist chief to get poetic justice

KATHMANDU - Concerned at the way Nepal’s major parties continue to bicker for power while the peace process and the new constitution lie in danger, a group of writers has decided to deal out poetic justice to the top leaders, beginning with Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.

Led by Parijat Smriti Kendra, an organisation founded in 1993 to preserve the memory of Bishnu Kumari Waiba, one of the most influential modern Nepali writers who died the same year, 10 poets will lead an unusual rally to the former revolutionary’s residence in Kathmandu Wednesday.

Instead of slogans, the little group will recite poems that inspired protesters fighting for democracy during the anti-monarchy movements in 2006 and 1990.

Among the poets will be Shrawan Mukarung, one of Nepal’s best-known contemporary poets and lyricists.

“In 1990 as well as 2006, writers and artists had played an important role, raising people’s consciousness and strengthening the democracy movements,” said Sneh Sayami, coordinator of Parijat Smirit Kendra.

“Today, Nepal’s politics has taken a new twist. The peace process was to have been consolidated by the promulgation of a new constitution by May 28. But what happens if the statute is not ready? The parties are still squabbling for power and so, we thought of this tactic to pressure them into reaching a consensus among themselves and writing the constitution in time so that there is peace in the country.”

Wednesday will also mark the start of the Nepali new year 2067.

Sayami said the Maoist chief - blamed by the ruling parties for the uncertainty about the new constitution - welcomed the move.

“Initially, we had planned to hold the session before his gate,” Sayami told IANS. “However, Prachanda said he was welcoming us inside.”

After the poetic march at Prachanda’s residence, the group will hold a similar session Thursday at the residence of Jhalanath Khanal, whose Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist is leading the current ruling alliance of Nepal.

It will be followed by a third one Friday before the residence of Sushil Koirala, the acting chief of Nepali Congress, the largest ruling party.

“It is a start,” said Sayami. “When we began the cultural movement in 2006, there were just a handful of us. But the movement grew. We are hoping other literary and cultural organisations will join us.”

Like the maverick protest, Waiba, better known as Parijat, was a rebel as well. Born in India’s Darjeeling town, she left a decisive influence on Nepali literature despite a life-time of grappling with illness, followed by paralysis at the age of 26.

“Shirish ko Phool” (the blue mimosa) is her most popular novel.