What is uncommon in Daman?

If you go through CV of Daman Dhungana in here, you will be impressed. Dhungana, being the first speaker of the parliament after People’s movement 1990 has been active in politics since his student life. He is one of the founding members of Nepal Students Union. Daman Dhungana represents purity in thought and action. My respect for Mr. Dhungana increased many times when he thrashed NC workers demanding money in exchange of their support to his candidature. Amongst legal luminaries of Nepal, Mr. Dhungana is a gem who provided his legal services to the victims of ruthless Panchayati system free of cost.

A man with such an illustrious character has been trapped by Suresh Raj. I lamented the moment when I heard that he has accepted to be one of the members of Suresh Raj’s coterie to prop him up as the de facto boss of KU for ever. I could never believe that the founder of NSU would tie his neck with killer of SWC and Buddhi Bahadur Bishwakarma. Of course, it is not the first time I am taken aback by Mr. Dhungana’s mistake. I remember in one gathering Mr. Daman Dhungana praising Suresh Raj at the cost of all the politicians of Nepal. If I am correct, he had remarked, “One of the representatives of the filthiest social group is joining you honest people.” Then, he proceeded to shake his hand with Suresh Raj’s. One amongst us had at the time quipped "ढुँगानाजीले आफैलाई ढुँगा हान्यो" (Mr. Dhungana has stoned himself).

It is not only Mr. Daman Dhungana, but many others are in Nepal who feel that Suresh Raj is good personally and doing well professionally also. Many of them, impressed with easy to crumble structure with 6 Richter earthquake, still do not know that on the foundation of these building lies the greed of Suresh Raj for cash and power. Suresh Raj and Sitaram have used KU buildings both for filling up their personal coffers and to trumpet their good management. Like those residents of Babai bridge who used to hail Mr. Khum Bahadur as a real Bikasbaadi till the collapse of the bridge, I am sure that many of these political personalities and legal luminaries would continue to praise Suresh Raj till the collapse of Suresh Raj’s defenses.

As a matter of fact, the incidents in KU so far must have jolted many in Nepal. Daman Nath must have read about those letters to the editor and those write ups. Not only KU faculties, but also intellectuals from TU have mocked at “saintliness” of Suresh Raj. At least from the president of TU Students’ Association, we expect this much. OK, let us forget those publications. What about other publications in Vernacular weeklies and dailies? Can Daman Dhungana miss those expressions? I am asking that question because Daman Nath had also opposed king Gyanedra. If Daman Nath can oppose king Gyanendra, why he is supporting Gyanendra’s stooge and another academic despot?

Is it distant relation with Suresh Raj? I am wondering and I am scratching my head to know what made Mr. Daman Dhungana accept the proposal of Suresh Raj. Suresh Raj, with very dirty personal track record, has constantly sided with the palace. He has talked about educational development not to bring in real academic development but to bring personal development. Suresh Raj has sacked teachers, who like lawyers, want freedom. Suresh Raj has mobilized goons against faculties exactly the same way Gyanendra unleashed his terror reign in Nepal. There is nothing Suresh Raj has not done to show that he is a pure despot, and a hardcore mandale. And to top it all, he has even used his tentacles to force one innocent dalit staff to commit suicide. Still, a member of Chaubise group is supporting Suresh Raj.

This clearly shows that there is something uncommon in our esteemed Daman. We are wondering whether our Daman is also no different from other politicians who look for nexus and connections to swell support base? Has our Daman jettisoned sense of legality? Has he forgotten his legal lessons that threatening a junior staff with dire consequences for demanding his/he organizational rights amount to “Power Harassment?”

We still believe that Mr. Daman Dhungana will realize his follies and reconsider his decision. We request Mr. Dhungana to ask Suresh Raj to accept rights of the faculties and staffs. We request Mr. Dhungana to tell Suresh Raj that he could not be part of his Trustee team if faculties and staffs are protesting in KU. Only if Mr. Dhungana does these things, we believe that there is nothing uncommon in Mr. Daman. Otherwise, We will have to keep on informing that Daman is another portly mouse in Suresh Raj's trap.

Photo Source: Chaubise Blog