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 [NepalWatch] Interview with Dr Mathura P. Shrestha, from jail
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Posted on 04-10-06 6:47 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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“The longer the struggle lasts the better it is for us”
An interview with Dr Mathura Shrestha

Interview by Lucia de Vries.


(Source: INSN.org)



Sixteen years after he addressed a cheering crowd at Tundikhel and
received a historical phone call announcing that the king was willing
to
negotiate, Dr Mathura Shrestha finds himself in a prison cell in the
Maharajgunj Police Training Centre. Despite friendly conversations with
passing police officers (who clearly respect him) and the fact that he
produces prolific writings and even paintings in his cell, he clearly
seems out of place. It must be his unruly grey hairdo, the bright
orange
shirt or perhaps simply the fact that he speaks freely and loudly about
his beliefs, especially his dislike of the monarchy.

Apart from being known as a prominent pro-democracy and peace activist,
Shrestha is a retired professor and former Secretary of Health. He
started his political career when he was 16, as a member of the Mukti
Sena, the liberation army managed by Nepali Congress, in Banipur.
Shrestha was a member of the Communist UML party only briefly; after
his
resignation he calls himself an ‘independent Marxist’. His home was
ransacked earlier this year, when police entered without a warrant and
verbally abused members of his family. Two months ago Shrestha was
arrested; he is charged with deceiving people and endangering the
security and sovereignty of the country. Since then the aging activist
has been busy with ‘brisk walking’ for half an hour in the morning,
push
ups, painting, reading and writing. Twice a week he is allowed to meet
his relatives, including his wife Indira. Despite his age, Shrestha is
72, he looks radiant and focused.

We interview him on Wednesday, the day before the seven party alliance
begins its four-day strike. Shrestha does not seem too sad about not
being able to join his friends and comrades. “I will miss the people
but
I can also be productive here.” Outside the detention centre a new
public message has been put up: “Monarchy is guided not by a cheap
popularity but by the overall welfare and continued progress of Nepal
and her people”. Shrestha says he does not hate anyone, apart from the
royal family.


What are your strongest memories of the Andolan of 1990?

“One very touching experience. I was still at work in Teaching Hospital
when I was called by the other leaders. I took the hospital bus which
was stopped at Baneshwor. At first people wanted to attack the bus,
then
recognised me. Then, believe it or not, they kissed the bus. Kissed it!
That was a very touching experience.”

“When speaking to the crowd at Tundikhel there was no microphone. I
found an X-ray in my pocket and used that. Still people could not hear
me and got out of control. They toppled the statue of king Mahendra.
The
police retaliated. Many people stood around me to protect me from
firing, including foreign journalists. I never forget what they have
done for me.”

“At four in the afternoon I got a phone call from Ratna Tuladhar saying
the king had agreed to negotiate. I said we should not agree, not
during
curfew and killings. He said this was what the parties wanted. I
realised there was no other way but to agree. It was the saddest moment
of my life; I wanted to continue till royal rule had crumbled. The
monarchy always had a history of deception and conspiracy and being
totally insensitive to human rights. It was the tragedy of the time.”


You recently write about ‘lokatantra’ (full democracy) as opposed to
‘prajatantra’ (democracy). What do you mean by that?

“Lokatantra is the rule of the people. Nepal was democratic until four
hundred years ago. People didn’t vote but they talked until a consensus
was reached. Only the powerful voted. ‘Lok’ is the people, with no
distinction of classes. What I am researching now is how the
dictatorship of the proletariat can be transformed into the rule of the
proletariat. If a constituent assembly is properly elected we can
establish the rule of the people. I do not think ceremonial monarchy
goes together with lokatantra, but if the people want it, then let it
be. Personally I am against.”


Can the Maoists and political parties establish lokatantra together?

“I think so. I talked to many Maoist leaders and what I conclude is
that
they have good listening powers. The 12-point agreement has been a
great
breakthrough. The Maoists show the desire to provide the sovereign
right
to the people, and the interviews with BBC, Indian papers and Kantipur
confirm this. They are a different breed from the communists in China
and the Shining Path. They seek a new paradigm. They are sincere apart
from some unruly cadres. The top leaders of the seven party alliance
are
convinced but there is no unity among the middle cadres. This has
effected the movement. People are demanding sanity and clarity; they do
want change. The movement is a massive one but I do not think the
regime
will be toppled soon. The longer the struggle for lokatantra lasts the
better it is for us, and the worse for the feudal monarchy. We can
educate and empower the people in the meantime and make sure the
monarchy will be a thing of the past. Lokatantra will be a good thing
not only for Nepal but for the whole world.”


What should the international community to bring peace to Nepal?

“In spite of the UN Human Rights Commission trying, there has not been
a
change. There is maybe more awareness among the army but no culprits
are
being punished. The international community should stop all strategic
and development aid. The royal family is very corrupt. Development aid
is pocketed through corruption. Unless the king is gone there is no
hope
for Nepal.”
 
Posted on 04-10-06 6:49 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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[NepalWatch] Nepal:Demonstrators vent their rage on a Deputy Superintendent of Police

 
Posted on 04-10-06 9:34 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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Posted on 04-10-06 10:00 AM     Reply [Subscribe]
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Gyane and his clicks including army and police top brass should be tried in criminal court as soon as the royal regime topples.
 


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