The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Nepal coup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 03, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Nepal coup

Sir, — King Gyanendra's dismissal of the Deuba Government in Nepal is undemocratic. Such moves will only encourage the Maoist insurgents to intensify their activities.

K. Murlidar,
Chennai

Sir, — Nepal has been alternating between monarchy and democracy because the country's royalty is whimsical and the polity is fractious. The palace has developed the habit of picking and dumping Prime Ministers. Hope the latest move will persuade the politicians to rise above narrow considerations.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,

Ghaziabad, U.P.

Sir, — The royal coup is retrograde. Given the Maoist insurgency, fractious political system and the political ambition of the King, the move was waiting to happen.

Manu Bhandari,
New Delhi

Sir, — There is no gainsaying that Nepal is plunging into anarchy. Maoist insurgency is sure to intensify in the coming days. The King, if anything, has given the insurgents a legitimate weapon with which to wage their war. Nepal is showing all signs of becoming a failed state with the economy a shambles and democracy in the doldrums.

Joe Rickal,
Kochi, Kerala

Sir, — King Gyanendra's coup, violating well-established democratic conventions, has once again turned the spotlight on the monarchy and the Maoists. The prevailing state of chaos and confusion seems to make democracy an unattainable dream in Nepal. The King would do well to strive hard to restore democracy.

K.S. Thampi,
Chennai

Sir, — The development in Nepal has a strong message for India. It is surrounded by three countries — Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar — where democracy is in peril. New Delhi should view the situation with the seriousness it deserves and work for the restoration of democracy in these countries through international forums.

P. Jawahar,
New Delhi

Sir, — The recent mass abductions effected by the Maoist rebels seem to have triggered the royal coup in Nepal. But the King's decision to curtail the freedom of the masses to stabilise the law and order situation is a big blow to democracy. Such an autocratic step will only aggravate anarchy.

Chandra Ranganathan,
Chennai

Sir, — The Deuba Government was unable to control insurgency. Barely a week ago, the Maoists kidnapped hundreds of youth for indoctrination sessions. There was no option for King Gyanendra except declaring Emergency and calling the army out from the barracks. The developments are clearly Nepal's internal matter and statements such as the ones made by New Delhi ("a setback to democracy") are uncalled for.

N. Nageswaran,
Chennai

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