Monday Interview
Interview 4:15 AM
All problems can be solved if we unite
Nepal Unites has emerged as a ‘social movement’ that has caught the attention of many urban youth. Connected by Facebook and inspired by the possibility of a prosperous Nepal within our lifetime, the loose network of professionals demands accountable government and responsible citizens. Prashant Singh, founder and CEO of Himalayan Claimate Change Initiative, spoke with Bidushi Dhungel and Gyanu Adhikari about Nepal Unite’s origin, motives and plans for the future.
Where did the idea of Nepal Unites originate?
The idea came from a trek to Langtang and we were a group of 23 people. In the evenings we’d discuss politics and decided it was pointless talking about it unless we were ready to do something about it. Since I was relatively free, Ujwal Thapa and I decided to begin with a Facebook page and it took off from there.
How are you defining it?
It’s a movement. We’re not an organisation. We don’t want to take any money from donors, private companies and institutions. People like Nirvana Chaudhary or Anil shah have become a part of the movement but if they contribute any money, there is a clear understanding it will be coming out of their pockets. Anyone can support individually as a Nepali citizen.
How do you decide what issues to push?
When there is no leadership, philosophy becomes more important. So we have some non-negotiables: Citizen Supremacy and civic liberties are at the top of the agenda. We are neither for a right-wing or left wing dictatorship. We haven’t gone as far as to say whether we need an American style model or a French style form of government because we think this is just a useless exercise. Any one good model will work for us, as long as citizen supremacy stands. A democratic kind of system with sovereign citizens who have the right to choose our own path is what we want.
Does the group support republicanism?
Yes, we whole-heartedly support it.
What is the movement’s goal or vision?
Before the goal, there is a belief that we are a very wealthy country, and we are artificially kept poor. We hold the common belief that we are not prospering because we are not United, especially those who are talented. That’s where the name comes from. Instead of unity, we are actually doing the opposite—fragmenting. At the root, the idea is if we Unite, all problems can be solved.
How will you achieve your vision?
The state has to be accountable. By state, I mean the government and private sector. Likewise, we need responsible citizens. The government is not forcing us to do many of the negative things we do. From littering to calling people names, these are things we have to change ourselves. We do not see ourselves as an alternative to a political party, but as an instrument to strengthen democracy.
What kind of activities do you organise?
We do small things to begin with. We are not people that will accept defeat or take no for an answer. We now have more than 25,000 people who support us, and we started with two. We may have to go beyond Facebook as well. We are a hopeful bunch of people. In terms of work, we did the ‘no work no pay’ sloganeering and protesting and have been pushing for an end to impunity. We do silent protests every week as well on the Bagmati Bridge.
What does the group think are the main obstacles for why we don’t have a constitution?
When we start talking about the specifics of the constitution, we also become political. So Nepal Unites doesn’t go into that and as a movement we just want a constitution. But as a Nepali, I see that the two sides (the leftists and the rightists) cannot find a meeting point.
But what can a movement like Nepal Unites do to in terms of pulling Nepal out of the stalemate and getting a constitution?
We have been putting pressure on the legislature. They have been mandated a task. We chose them, so they must take the responsibility and we must put pressure on them to do so. Part of their job is also to convince their senior leaders.
Is Nepali politics that simple?
I realise that a lot of the older leaders don’t listen to the younger ones. But our logic is that they’ve been given a job and it looks like they’re incapable of doing it. And where there’s a timeline, pressure forces people to find solutions.
What are the future programmes you’re planning?
There is no long term plan for what we’ll do. There are new people joining the movement everyday and bringing new ideas. We hope to just continue with our zeal and enthusiasm. We need a more constructive and positive Nepal.
But can we look past our divisions?
Uniting Nepal doesn’t mean everyone should be wearing daura surwal or singing Bhanubhakta. If someone asks me where I’m from, then I am Nepal, before I am Madhesi. When people start talking about their ethnicities before their country, I don’t like it.
Let’s talk about some contentious issues in politics, such as federalism.
Nepal Unites doesn’t talk about federalism. But personally, I like the idea of states based on economy and logistics. I’m for a federal structure, but ethnic lines with priority-rights is a bad idea. I am Madhesi and live in Kathmandu. Tomorrow, I should not be pushed out because I am Madhesi and Kathmandu becomes an ethnic province.
To many, Nepal Unites is coming across as a movement that is not addressing anything substantial.
The basic common minimum programme is kept small so that more people can take part. We are not the ones that should be deciding on things like the French model or American model. The people that have been paid to do it should do it. We haven’t done that kind of homework and we don’t want to either.
The movement is criticised as an urban, elite movement. Do you agree?
We want it to take an evolutionary route. Someone came from Pokhara and Birgunj and took it there. We hope it will move forward like this. I don’t mince any words and say that I am a rural Nepali guy. I am what I am, and I earn a good amount of money. What we’re trying to say or do, is not to protect the interest of the urban elite, but the ones who spear head the movement are indeed comprised of them.
Will you demand accountability from the business community too?
We are planning to do something about the Petroleum crisis being caused by the private sector and speak out against this. Some of those that are on our team now, or on our taskforce, are big names in the private sector. It is a known fact in Nepal that a lot of businessmen have muscle to keep the legal system away. But the people know. The court of the people passes its own verdicts. One day, we may speak out against dishonest businessmen too.
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