Being a citizen of Nepal it is my duty to think about the ongoing bandhs and general strikes taking place in the Tarai where police are tackling with people carrying domestic weapons to get their demands fulfilled. The time has come to think about the global scenario of the ethnic violence and its consequences in world politics. Recently, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula through a referendum. Likewise, the Scottish did not like to be an independent state in the latest referendum. Now let us come back to Nepal. The present scenario is not free from the above instances. In the Tarai region people are taking to the streets for autonomy based on ethnicity. It is high time that the major political parties took a step to avert further crisis by addressing their demands to the extent possible.

Raman Adhikari, Jorpati

Shun violence

If we work for the betterment of our society we will be able to move forward with our head held high. We all are Nepalese despite the fact that we have some differences among ourselves. In order to develop our country, we need to go together by respecting one another’s sentiments and keeping the national interests intact. But if all castes and communities including the Aryans, ethnic nationalities, Madhesis and Dalits and other minorities stand united and give an equal opportunity to all for their progress we will be able to strengthen our national integrity and nationalism.

The recent violence taking place in several parts of the country, particularly in the Tarai region, will not augur well for the country and the people. The demands of carving out the federal units based on ethnicity will not serve the purpose of the federalism. After the success of the second Jana Andolan all the parties agreed to go for federalism to ensure overall development of all the regions and people of all castes and creeds. Those who are taking to the streets demanding federal states based on ethnicity seem to be self-centric undermining the rights of other communities. They should shun violence and find a peaceful solution to the problem facing the country.

Prabal Rai, via e-mail

Decision

This is with reference to the news story “Agitating parties pledge not to force closure of schools” (THT, Sept. 2, Page 3). It is indeed a good decision on the part of the agitating parties or groups to allow the educational institutions to run even during the bandhs. There have been calls from all sides that the educational institutions should not be made victims of any political cause. It has been more than two weeks since the Madhes-centric parties and some groups have resorted to general strikes in the Tarai demanding that certain districts or regions be included in certain Pradeshes. If the educational institutions remain closed indefinitely the future of the students will be ruined and the nation will have to bear a huge loss of investment made in the educational sector.

The agitators should also understand the fact that the students will take part in their political rallies.

Raman Thapaliya, Birgunj