Chandra Laksamba, University of Oxford/Centre for Nepal Studies UK (CNSUK)
The rulers of Nepal since its establishment have grossly lacked openness, efficiency and pro-people-orientation. After the restoration of democracy in 1990, both the ruling and the parties in opposition did very little to take the socio-economic and political issues seriously; rather much of their time was exhausted in materialising personal gains. Following which, by 1995, the situation of the major political parties had became particularly serious when their legitimacy was at stake, and authority being questioned. On the political front, the Panchayat politicians held fast to the democratic rule despite their expulsion by the popular movement which bore on the sentiment of the general public. Though the forces of production -such as poor and socially marginalised groups have time and again risen to bring about change in the socio-political structure, they had remained relatively weak. However, the CPN (Maoist) insurgency that has surfaced since February 1996 has succeeded in challenging these social inequalities through the revolutionary doctrine.
In this context, the creation of public meaning has not been confined to a particular phase of history; rather it is comprehended as on ongoing process apparent in different political events. As a result, the public meaning derived from different social contexts proved not only to be the assets for the people’s war, but rather were among the few crucial determining factors bringing it to the level of prominence as observed today. Belief in the judiciary, good governance, passion for equality and justice along with the human rights and identity claims have been identified as the factors creating public meaning and providing impetus to the Maoist insurgency for decades.
Hence this paper intends to analyse the creation of public meaning in the emergence, growth and future direction of the Maoist insurgency.
Martin Chautari (MC) began as an informal discussion group in Kathmandu in 1991, allowing development professionals and academics to meet every two weeks to share insights and experiences. Now nationally known for its discussions, Chautari also conducts research focused on governance and democracy, media, education and livelihoods with cross-cutting themes of gender and social inclusion. A rigorous mentoring program of young researchers is in-built into MC’s work. The discussions, research, mentoring, publications and the library form an intrinsic part of MC’s primary objective: strengthening the social contract between state and citizens and expanding and making inclusive the public sphere by promoting informed dialogues and analytically rigorous research.
Briefing Paper No. 8: The Debilitating Dynamics of Nepal's Constituent Assembly (2008-2012) (English ver./Nepali ver.)
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Discourses of Awareness: Development, Social Movements and the Practices of Freedom in Nepal;
The Creation of Public Meaning during Nepal’s Democratic Transition’ is a collaborative research project between the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London and Martin Chautari (MC), Kathmandu. The project is jointly coordinated by Prof. Michael Hutt of SOAS and Dr Pratyoush Onta of MC and is being funded by the British Academy under its International Partnership Scheme for the period March 2010 to March 2013. Read more
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