From Kathmandu With Revolutionary Love

[the-red-under-the-bed]

Hey All.

As you may know, i am now based in Nepal fo r the time being to try and figure out whats going on here.

Some interesting interactions i have had with people at the EX-Royal palace:
http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/from-kathmandu-with-revolutionary-love.html

Also- as for the strike ban- there is no such thing in place at the moment- the country is riddled with them, so even if you think this is an anti worker police state- thats just not the case- at least not yet. Every other groups is on strike or having Bands- as they are called.

Any Questions ect feel free to ask- i'll do my best to pass on from the reality on the ground

[Wakizashi the Bolshevik]

Is there much hope of transforming Nepal into a fully Maoist society?

[manic expression]

What are the impressions and opinions you get from the Nepalis you are living with? What are their views on the present situation? What are their most important concerns and demands?

[the-red-under-the-bed]

Wakizashi- Nepal is definately changing- but its somethign different and unique to Nepal. The revolutin wont be "maoists" in and tradisional or orthodox sense.

Manic- The situation on the streets is compex. It is definately politically charged, but it is chaotic, and can be difficult sometimes to pin the mtivating forces on a the players involved. In the ost basic sense there is two poles- revolutionary and reactionary- that are btoh trying to advance, and the situaton is thus untenable.

People on the street, from my discussions, which admittedly limited by the language barrier, seem for the most part committed to this process of the "New Nepal". There are supporters of the various parties, but the "New Nepal" Ie the constituion writing process is the first priority on peopes minds. you might want to have a read of my discussion with mike ely here: http://maobadiwatch.blogspot.com/2009/03/pla-recruits-what-is-future-of-peace.html

[Devrim]

Also- as for the strike ban- there is no such thing in place at the moment- the country is riddled with them, so even if you think this is an anti worker police state- thats just not the case- at least not yet. Every other groups is on strike or having Bands- as they are called.

This in itself proves nothing. Strikes are illegal in the public sector in our country, but they still happen. In fact it would be rather pointless to ban strikes when there weren't any happening.

Devrim

[the-red-under-the-bed]

yer ok, but the strikes at the moment that are mostly happening, or the ones that may be outlawed at least, are run by reactionaries to try and dislodge the government.

For example the recent tharu band was headed up by the UML

[Mindtoaster]

Bump

Has the average worker's living conditions increased yet?

[Saorsa]

Has the average worker's living conditions increased yet?

Unlikely to have changed significantly. Although the Maoists did raise the minimum wage and Maoist-led unions have won major pay increases for large numbers of workers.

[Devrim]

yer ok, but the strikes at the moment that are mostly happening, or the ones that may be outlawed at least, are run by reactionaries to try and dislodge the government.

For example the recent tharu band was headed up by the UML

I get very concerned when people start to talk about reactionary strikes as it is usually what 'left wing' governments start to do when they start attacking workers' living conditions.

Of course that doesn't mean that there aren't reactionary strikes, but it means that we should be very careful.

Devrim

[chebol]

Devrim, I get worried when people start second-guessing revolutionary movements' claims that there are reactionary strikes when there are, indeed, reactionary strikes taking place.

The question of where the maobadi goes is certainly an open one, as the process is full of contradictions, and there is every chance that they may start suppressing legitimate strikes in order to cement their power.

But this is hardly the case now, and there is an actual, concrete, struggle for power taking place, that involves the mobilisation of reactionary (both objectively and politically explicit) elements in society.

So, I'm concerned that your "concern" constitutes little more than standing at the sidelines and sticking your tongue out while you wait for a chance to say "I told you so".

[black magick hustla]

Devrim, I get worried when people start second-guessing revolutionary movements' claims that there are reactionary strikes when there are, indeed, reactionary strikes taking place.

The question of where the maobadi goes is certainly an open one, as the process is full of contradictions, and there is every chance that they may start suppressing legitimate strikes in order to cement their power.

But this is hardly the case now, and there is an actual, concrete, struggle for power taking place, that involves the mobilisation of reactionary (both objectively and politically explicit) elements in society.

So, I'm concerned that your "concern" constitutes little more than standing at the sidelines and sticking your tongue out while you wait for a chance to say "I told you so".

His point is that virtually every gang that takes power will brand the opposition as reactionary. banning strikes, in the name of figthing reaction, has been a long tradition of stalinists.

[chebol]

I know what his point was.

The problem with making that sort of point is that it is utterly useless for understanding the immediate reality of a struggle. It is an easy cop-out where you can refer to the nasty providence of "virtually every gang who takes power" without bothering to address what is actually going on.

In short, it is a feature of sectarianism.

And I say this despite the reasonably high possibility of the Nepalese process going sour, and the imposition of Stalinist practices. Devrim wasn't making any argument that these practices were, in fact, being carried out. He made a broad, sweeping, and baseless assertion devoid of political content.

Much like your defence of his point.

[Devrim]

Devrim wasn't making any argument that these practices were, in fact, being carried out. He made a broad, sweeping, and baseless assertion devoid of political content.

It was a broad sweeping assertion, but one that I think people would do well to keep in mind. When the state starts accusing striking workers of being reactionaries, it is best to be cautious.


Devrim, I get worried when people start second-guessing revolutionary movements' claims that there are reactionary strikes when there are, indeed, reactionary strikes taking place.

But here lies the difference. I don't think that there is anything at all revolutionary about this sort of movement or others of its type. It is the same old capitalism under new bosses who may wear a red tie occasionally.

Devrim