In early 1970s, inspired by the Naxalite movement across the border—a movement that led to the foundation of Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)—

leaders such as RK Mainali and CP Mainali started their own movement, which they dubbed the Jhapa Sangharsha. The Bargasatru Saphaya, a campaign under the wing of Jhapa Sangharsha, became a watershed moment not just for the communist movement in Nepal but also in the struggle against the party-less Panchayat system.

A novel that recasts this particular episode of Nepal’s political history, Jhapali Garjhan by Punya Prasad Kharel, was recently launched amid a function at Birtamode, in Jhapa. The book was launched by politician CP Mainali, one of the torchbearers of Jhapa Sangharsa. The function also saw the presence of Mainali’s contemporaries such as Naresh Kharel, Harka Khadka, Durga Adhikari and Krishna Sedhain, among others.

Speaking at the function, Mainali said, “This novel could be a right document to those readers wanting to know about the Jhapa Sangharsha.”

Offering a bried critique on the book, author Hemnath Adhikari said that the novel invokes a lively account of the movement, shedding light on the key characters and the times.

Speaking at the event, novelist Kharel said, “With the book, I have attempted to bring out the whole story and background of the uprising. I hope the book will be taken as a documentation of the early days of Nepal’s communist movement.”

Jhapali Garjhan is author Kharel’s third work of fiction; prior to this, Kharel has penned novels such as Dosadh ko Gham and Tribeni Aama; Kharel also has three anthologies of short stories under his belt: Punarbahali, Matane Saailo and Dwanda ra Dhunwa.

Jhapali Garjhan is published by Bibek Sirjanshil Prakashan.