Peoples War in Nepal |
| IWD -- 3/8/04 -- by Anton Black |
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Nepalese revolutionary women 
The revolutionary people's war in Nepal, which began in 1996, is a genuine, all the way liberation struggle that comes up against imperialism in all fundamental ways. I find this revolution something to celebrate- an inspiration for people all over the world. The leadership of the people's war, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), is denounced as terrorist by the royal dictatorship and by its imperialist backers, especially now the U.S. What is this revolution really about and what are the stakes for the people of Nepal and especially for humanity? Nepal is a monarchy that assumed its modern form in the 18th century and was subjugated, but not formally conquered, by British imperialism in the following century. Ever since, the country has been dominated by imperialism, along with India, and under extremely backward semi-feudal relations, domination, by a few powerful families. The majority peasant population is extremely and viciously exploited by government connected moneylenders, state and religious officials. While there are a few big exploiting land owners, overall land ownership is very divided. A majority of the people are oppressed nationalities within this oppressed country. The backward caste system has long been in effect. Women are especially oppressed by the whole patriarchal set up. Nepal as a whole is subject to Indian hegemony. Key lifelines of the economy are dependent on India, including the large number of viciously exploited migrants in India. The people's war has aimed to change all of this, step by step. The revolutionaries are active in most of Nepal's 75 districts. In just the western region, 10 million people (out of 23 million people in Nepal) live in areas under revolutionary control. In many of these areas "United Revolutionary People's Committees" led by the "United People's Revolutionary Council" openly exercise power. "People's committees"- the embryo of new local governments- are running administrative, economic, social, cultural, education, and development departments, responsible for local militias, "people's courts and people's jails." (1) In these base areas where "new political power" is exercised, exploitive relations are being overthrown, both through exercising dictatorship over enemies- running officials, government agents, police and various exploiters out or jailing them- and by struggling among the people for the transformation and abolition of backward and oppressive relations and customs. There is constant, ongoing struggle within the ranks of the revolution to liberate women from the pervasive and entrenched feudal tradition and ideology so that they can participate fully in the revolution and all aspects of society. Some basic political demands of the revolution (as put forward during periods when negotiations were carried on with the royal government) include abolition of the feudal monarchy and establishment of a republic through a constituent assembly. This is what the monarchy, the U.S., Britain, and India call "terrorism." Russia, China, Israel and others are also helping the monarchy against the revolution. All have gotten into the act of aiding the Royal Army and encouraging repression. India has arrested Nepali communists on trumped up charges. These accusations of "terrorism" are accompanied by murderous government terror by the Royal government. King Gyanendra came to power after the rest of the royal family was gunned down in a palace massacre. Journalists have been censored, arrested and sometimes killed in the cities. In the countryside, the Royal Army routinely murders captured revolutionaries and peasants in fake encounters. For the U.S., Collin Powell and the State Department have gotten into the act, calling the CPN (M) terrorists and backing the monarchy. The U.S. is sending military aid to the Royal Army while well placed reactionary political commentators in the U.S. call for broader attacks on supporters of the revolution in the U.S. and internationally. The revolutionaries in Nepal are, to say the least, totally different in character than those first targeted by the U.S. "war on terrorism". The imperialist definition of "terrorism" is whatever they say it is. To them a terrorist is whoever they have their gun sights on at the moment. The revolution in Nepal is led by Maoist genuine all the way communists. You can't get more opposed to imperialism than this, so the U.S. is not likely to be pleased with this for what it represents. What it represents is the highest aspirations of the basic workers of this planet and all the oppressed for a better world. The orientation of the revolution is thoroughly internationalist- they are fighting in Nepal to liberate that country as part of and to serve world revolution. While this is a struggle for national liberation, the CPN (M) is internationalist, and is a member of the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM). As internationalists, the revolutionaries of Nepal are determined to get the country out from under imperialist globalization and create a self-reliant economy that serves the people. What does all this mean for the people? For one aspect of this, a revolutionary journalist who visited Nepal writes: "Under feudalism a daughter is 'useful' and 'valuable' in her childhood years when she can do chores and serve the household." But according to such feudal thinking, it is not worth it to 'invest' in a girl by giving her an education because she will just end up marrying and going off to live in, and serve, another household. I did meet a number of women who had been allowed to go to school, at least up until high school. But when I visited colleges in the cities, almost all of the students were men." "One afternoon, I watched Rachana studying, practicing her reading and writing, her eyes stuck to a dog-eared page deep in concentration. I thought about how this scene is being created in other guerrilla zones in Nepal. Young peasant women- illiterate, facing nothing but a backbreaking future-leaving their villages, taking up arms, learning to read and write and studying politics. I met many other women like Rachana- women who grew up angry about the way feudal society oppresses women and have jumped at the chance to join the people's army...." "...These women really believe that the fight against women's oppression is woven into the fabric of this People's War. So when the armed struggle started in 1996, it was like the opening of a prison gate- with thousands of women rushing forward to claim an equal place in the war..."(2) On the occasion of International Women's Day, let's learn about, support and celebrate the revolutionary people's war in Nepal! Anton Black is a Maoist Revolutionary who is a supporter of the Revolutionary Communist Party, U.S.A; member of VVAWAI and is a signatory of the 'Call to Conscience From Veterans to Active Duty Troops and Reservists.'
(1) Li Onesto, 'Nepal: Revolution at the Top of then World' Revolutionary Worker #1230, Feb 22, 2004
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