It is quite difficult to read the situation in Nepal from here in UK, but to me it seems that the next day or two will be critical in determining whether or not successful elections to a new national constituent assembly (already twice postponed) can be held on schedule in April. The parties which represent the ethnic Indian (Madhesi) population in the south of the country have been insisting upon their rights and aspirations (which include autonomy and a right to self-determination) being recognised as a prerequisite to their participation. On the other hand the Prime Minister is saying that he will not countenance any political developments that could lead to a break up of the nation. The Madhesi have upped the ante by calling an indefinite strike in the south that has now entered its tenth day, preventing imports from India and led to the worst shortages - especially of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas - since 1990. Even the dead are disadvantaged by a strike which is preventing the import of cremation pyre wood to Kathmandu temples. The Madhesi parties have also ignored Wednesday's deadline to register their candidates with the Election Commission; everyone knows that if they don't participate in the elections they will be fundamentally flawed.
Now the deadline for electoral registration has been extended until Sunday and meantime, we are told, intense discussions are going on behind the scenes to reach some compromise in meeting the Madhesi demands. If these discussions fail it will represent disaster for the country.
As ever, we have to carry on working and managing as best we can under increasingly difficult circumstances. Just today we have agreed to take into our Bhairahawa refuge two more children of a prisoner held in the local jail. And I am working hard to raise the funds to purchase our new arts rehabilitation centre in Godwari, Kathmandu. This process got off to a good start this week following news that we had received a pledge of £50,000 towards the estimated £250,000 budget, courtesy of our regular funder, The Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust (see my post of 31st January). If another application that I have made to another Foundation comes through we'll be half way there.
Now all that the living need is for common sense and peace to prevail in Nepal. As for the dead, they can settle for the rekindling of the open air cremation fires along the sacred Bagmati river in Kathmandu, generating their strangely familiar aroma once again.
