Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

All is not well

Though King Gyanendra has bowed to popular sentiment and international concerns, it is not as if all is well in Nepal now. The future is going to be more challenging, with the Maoists trying to fill the vacuum. The means they use are only too well known. The international community should become more involved in the affairs of Nepal until a popular government is elected.

N. Nageswaran,
Chennai

* * *

The developments in Nepal are worrying. India should not support the Maoists. Democracy and Maoism cannot coexist. We must protect our national security by furthering the cause of democracy in our neighbourhood. This can be done with or without the King but should not be done by recognising the Maoists.

Radha Vijaykumar,
Bangalore

* * *

The people of Nepal deserve praise for getting democracy restored though it involved some bloodshed. India has proved that it is a responsible neighbour by playing a constructive role behind the curtains, unlike the U.S., which is in an unenviable position in Iraq. The royal family of Nepal should realise that times have changed and withdraw from active politics like the Queen of England.

R. Sekar,
Nalco Nagar, Orissa

* * *

With the winds of democracy beginning to blow in Nepal, it is the turn of political parties to sustain what they have achieved through the mass upsurge against King Gyanendra. The entry of Maoists in the mainstream politics of Nepal, if all goes well, will be an unprecedented development in the country's political history. It is hoped the Seven Party Alliance, along with the Maoists, will fulfil people's aspirations, which alone can bring permanent peace, stability, and development.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, T.N.

* * *

There is a lesson in the Nepalis' struggle for us. We take democracy for granted: we do not take seriously the right to vote or contest elections. We should learn from the people of the tiny Kingdom the value of rising above religion, caste, and region to make our voices count.

Lijum Ete,
New Delhi

* * *

It took the people of Nepal not more than a fortnight to snatch democracy from a dictator. Compare this with Iraq where the self-proclaimed global police, in a bid to free the people from Saddam Hussein's regime, got enmeshed in internal politics and plunged the state into anarchy. The destruction continues with no peaceful end in sight.

Anjum Husain,
Aligarh, U.P.

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