Nepal in 2010
If we are to go by the first day of this brand new year, not much is going to happen in our country in 2010. Keeping up with the latest trend, Adivasi/Janajati Brihat Morcha otherwise called Indigenous Nationalities Broad Front (INBF), had called for a Nepal Bandh today and in doing so, successfully stole everyone’s thunder on this first day of the year. Kathmandu, for the most part, was shut down though I did manage to literally climb onto a Safa Tempo for a ride to Ratna Park from Old Baneshwor safely. There were Motorbikes plying around the city without much disruption, it seemed. The one thing I really like about a Bandh is that this town becomes free of all the pollution and undesirable dust. But we all know a Bandh cripples almost everyone’s life as the whole country and its economy comes to a standstill.
So what did the Adivasi/Janajati Brihat Morcha want that they just had to shut the country down? Please click here to find out. It occurs to me that there is nothing on those demands that they couldn’t have brought into a meeting room with the concerned authorities, in this case, the CA members. But, to each, his own. If you want to Nepal Bandh, apparently no one can stop you. And for some reason, it’s not illegal to do so because we never hear anyone being charged when they take the law into their own hands and force an individual against his/her will, to not open his/her business that day, to not travel, to practically not do anything. What happened to protesting in a democratic fashion?
This is what Nepal News reports:
The conglomerate, Indigenous Nationalities Broad Front, has been organizing various protest programmes from the past one-month demanding, among others, that the government ensure the rights of ethnic/indigenous communities, called the ‘Janjatis’, in the new constitution, give them linguistic and cultural rights including right to self-determination and has called for the establishment of a federal autonomous state.
ILO 169 guarantees special rights on natural resources including land and water of people of indigenous people and preservation of their culture.
Here we go with yet another demand for a Federal Autonomous State in Nepal. I wonder when the Maoists will round as many ‘Janjatis’ as they can, decorate Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal with ‘Janjati’ garb, and once again play ‘lets-declare-another-state unilaterally’!
I really do not have any qualms about any of INBF’s demands above, except I’m still a little skeptical about the idea of ethnicity based states in our country. Anyhow, most Nepalis except Rastriya Janamukti Morcha seem to be okay with these ethnicity based states, including the past and this present Government. So, where this Government has an issue in rest of the aforementioned demands set forth by the INBF baffles me.
All in all, we have great many agendas in our plate for 2010. None too bigger than writing the Constitution of Nepal, sustaining the Peace Process, and of course, being done with senseless Nepal Bandhs once and for all.
It is true that the Bandh cripples everyone’s life as the whole country and its economy comes to a standstill. But who can ovoid this disturbance ? We are suffering from the traitors who are in regime. They have no idea to move the country. They are iresponsible and visionless.Since 2006 Nepalese people tolerated the worst political practice made by corrupt and culprit leaders. The nation achieved the climaxed height of the lawlessness, theft, robbery, ransom and murders. The corruption is out of control. A corrupt tendency has been institutionalizing as a system. The Nepalese justice system has failed in practice. In every criminal case, police have still refusing to register the criminal complaints, sometimes in the face of a court order to do so. Due to the culprit’s regime, the government has failed to reform laws that impede effective criminal investigations into past violations. There is no justice in Nepal, no rule of law and no government.The reality is that history has proved that all the culprit Brahman leaders of this country are not loyal towards Nepal. Trefoil politics has proved that all the Brahman leaders of so-called three big parties are crazy for power. They are destroying the identity, unity and the sovereignty of Nepal .
We are feeling that without monarchy Nepal’s identity, unity & sovereignty can’t save. Dear friends ! it is my confidence that the existing, uncertain and precarious situation can only be averted if a balance can be maintained among nationality, monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Nepal’s independence, sovereignty and democracy can never be safeguarded by abolishing monarchy. Nepal needs a credible reply and response from all other nationalists of all party that they are going to abolish the monarchy for-ever. The Banda (close Nepal) is not only the problem. Due to the culprits leadership,over all, the position of the country is in danger.That is all.
Thank you.
Dirgha Raj Prasai
Former Member of Parliament,Nepal.
Email: dirgharajprasai@gmail.com
Mr. Prasai, I agree with you on most of the problems you have outlined in your comment above. But would you be kind enough to explain to me how Gyanendra Shah will solve all of our country’s problems? Please don’t tell me it’s because he is the reincarnation of the God (do they even exist), Vishnu! By the way, that mortal did have a chance, did he not? And what did he do first? Strip us of all or basic rights and that right there, Mr. Prasai, was unacceptable to the majority of the Nepali people – history is witness.
Mr. Prasai, how can you support something that makes you less free? That makes you bow down to another man? That essentially deprives your children or yourself of the opportunity to someday perhaps lead this country as the President of Nepal?
Mr. Prasai, you sir are indulging in a pipe dream. It’s not going to happen – the Shah dynasty’s ship has already sailed, never to come back. Let’s join hands, enjoy this freedom that we have, and do our part in making our country free of all the crappola that’s been happening, shall we?
DEar Nepali jee !
Once think the reality of Nepal ? Can you think, Can Nepal save without monarchy ? Nepali Congress (NC), UML and UCPN (Maoist) leaderships have already failed. No one can succeed by breaking the agreement. On 24, April, 2006, the people’s uprising came to a stop after an agreement was reached between the monarchy, NC and UML and Maoist included. The agitators were pleading for monarchy as an alternative force in times of crisis. An agreement was reached to reinstate the House of Representatives, which was dissolved under NC recommendation four years ago, although the monarchy did not posses the right to reinstate it. The monarchy reinstated the parliament and appointed Girija Prasad Koirala to the post of premiership. The oath of office ceremony of Prime Minister was given by the king himself in the royal palace premises. Gradually, the agreement reached with the king was broken and the royal institution attacked, which is a work of huge betrayal. A political agreement 24 April, 2006-a political betrayal
After one month of agreement reached with the monarchy in 2006, under the grand design of Indian investigative wing ‘RAW’, under the pretext of parliamentary declaration, the monarchy’s rights were slashed unconstitutionally on 18 May, 2006. Then anti nationalist points as secularism was approved. Before the ink of the declaration approved on 18 May dried, interim constitution was declared without taking monarchy and the people into account. Republic was declared. What can be more shameful than this? No one will gain victory by trying to achieve it forcefully. Solution cannot be found by force. Establishing authoritarianism will not be the mandate of the uprising. It is a straight betrayal.
The Nepalese Maoist and many Left leaders are obsessed and gripped with the idea of making Nepal a republic state. How could they establish sovereignty just by removing monarchy without any logical and rationale reasons? This would only be a ‘Herculean Attempt’ without any logic and even absurd. History is proof that the kings of Nepal have never acted against the country’s sovereignty. In Nepal opposing monarchy is as easy as it is difficult to support. But those who are true nationalists cannot speak or act by forgetting the ground reality of the country because monarchy in Nepal is related to the country’s unity and independence. If there was no monarchy in Nepal and there was no China on the north, Nepal would not have remained as an independent country. It was about 32 years ago democratic movement was gaining momentum in Sikkim. After Lendup Dorje became prime minister of Sikkim went to meet BP Koirala at Banaras to put forth a proposal to remove Chogyal (King) of Sikkim. Giving his advice BP Koirala had told Dorje that if Chogyal is removed Sikkim would lose its sovereignty and it will cease to become an independent country. BP had told Dorje to recognize and to be aware who is making them fight. But Dorje did not listen and like BP said Sikkim lost its sovereignty and became a state of India. India is facing a similar situation.
In Afghanistan, after the Kingship was abolished in 1973, hundreds of thousand people were killed in the war and conflict between the communists supported by the then Soviet Union and the Mujaheddin supported by America. Hundreds of thousand others had to take refuge in Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan virtually disintegrated because of war and foreign power play. After the Russia-supported Najibullah was hanged the Talibans came to power and since then Afghanistan is beleaguered by war, conflict and struggle.
In Cambodia also, in the name of abolishing the Kingship, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot killed millions of people. Thus, the plot for republic could be a trap to finish off Nepal because even if it remains as a country, this country may become like North and South Vietnam when there is election for the president. Will America remain quiet by allowing a communist to become a president in Nepal? If there is a real possibility of the spill of streams of blood why should we think about if it will do something good for the country? Why should an innocent country like ours become the tug of war of big powers? But the country’s nationalism has reached to a point, which is virtually impossible to reverse. There are forces that are looking for this moment. Therefore, in such a critical hour, especially the Maoist must not link Nepal’s nationalism with international communist ideology and their movement.
At this time, Girija Prasad Koirala who had to bear the brunt during the direct rule of the king had tried to prove the rationality of monarchy in Nepal and this has made him the focal point of Nepal’s political discussion. But his leadership will be recognized only if his thinking becomes his party’s ideology. Nepalese politics has become tainted by the practice of going for monarchy when one is in power and opposing it when one is out of power. The CPN-UML has put a serious stake to its political future by betting on politics for position. But to bargain for nationality with foreigners for post and money is nothing but to compare oneself with the Quislings like Jay Chand and Lendup Dorje. Therefore, the Maoists and all other parties must be able to respect the people’s wishes on a sensitive issue like monarchy and become clear about status duties and responsibilities of the head of the state. Nepal is the home of all Nepalese including the King and every one of us must be equally concerned about how this country could maintain its independent existence and identity.
There has been a drastic rise of foreign meddling in Nepal. Indian leaders and their intelligence chiefs come here and put pressure to get rid of monarchy. Nepal’s present state is like just before the ‘infamous’ Kot parba (the mass killing of nobilities before Jung Bahadur established the Rana oligarchy) when foreigners give swords in our hands and inciting us to pull down the foundations of Nepal’s independence and sovereignty. That is why it is time for us to come to a consensus to establish the monarchy within a boundary and also the people’s representatives set a limit for themselves. There is a huge mass of people who still see the need and necessity of monarchy in Nepal.
Therefore, going to the people with the question of whether the monarchy should be kept or removed would be would result in the Pyrrhic victory no matter which side wins and will become the starting point for disintegration of the country. Therefore, it will be absurd and tragic to raise the issue of whether Nepal should remain a monarchial country or a republic. Therefore, we, Nepalese are forced to live together in harmony and concord because of our geographical and ethnic diversity. Everyone knows that the country, which had taken the responsibility of protecting Sikkim finally gobbled it up. Those who judge the present situation of this country feel and fear the same thing. So, let’s not sink this country knowingly or unknowingly. Nepal is formed by the aggregation of many smaller states such as Bajhang, Mustang, Palpa and Tahanu. But already there are attempts of demeaning Nepal as a country. The reinstatement House of Representatives of 2063 has degraded the status of the country by working towards converting it into territories and provinces. If this is allowed to continue, no one can say that there will not attempt to change the country’s very name and the national flag. It could be that there are other forces, which are conspiring against this country by putting the Maoists at the front.
In 1999, there was a plebiscite in Australia whether to accept the British monarchy as its head of state and majority of the Australians voted for the existing arrangement. Even in Canada, the British monarchy has been accepted as its head of state. If they can accept the Queen of Britain as their head of state, why can’t we in Nepal keep monarchy, which had the principle role in unifying this country, and modernize it. It is true that all monarchs are equally good and monarchy is an institution, which primarily functions according to its limited circle, and it is also true that bad and evil advisors are the cause of the fall of monarchy. Therefore, all those who worked to isolate the King from all political parties after February 1, 2005 and put question on the existence and national sovereignty are liable to be punished. Why didn’t’ and couldn’t they aware the king of the real situation. Similarly, all those parties, UML, NC (D), RPP and Nepal Sadvabana Party and their leaders such as Madhav Kumar Nepal, Surya Bahadur Thapa, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Lokendra Bahadur Chand who accepted Article 127 of the constitution of 2047 and joined in the government must also take responsibility for this situation. In politics, everyone must be evaluated on the basis of their conducts and results. The cause of the country’s downslide is because of the intellectual cons and defrauders, smugglers, corrupt and those involved in nepotism and favoritism. Until such elements are sidelined from politics and government, the country cannot find a correct path.
Nepal is called the Shangri-La, and the World Hindu Conference had passed a resolution that the earth of Nepal was worthy to be bowed down by Hindus all over the world. This is the highest honor Nepal could receive from the international community. Nepal is the country where both Hinduism and Buddhism originated and it is a scared land for more than a billion Hindus and Buddhists. Nepal’s prestige and honor would elevate further if this country is declared a Hindu and Buddhist country, instead of a secular one. Therefore, we must not take up anything that would become too burdensome to carry on. Nepal does not have any basis or foundation that could support republic. Carrying the slogan of a republic is not the solution of our country. Nepal needs a permanent institution that can shoulder the responsibility for its independence, national unity and sovereignty. Nepal needs a credible reply and response from all other parties that they are going to abolish the monarchy for-ever .
Thank you.
Mr. Prasai, you seem pretty knowledgeable about our history. Technically, we are an independent nation, no doubt. But ever since we signed that treaty with the British East India Company, our internal politics has always been tampered with by forces that reside in the present day India. The Ranas did everything they could to please the British, the Shahs always tried to align with what India deemed appropriate (except Birendra, to some extent), and the politicians after 1990 have been kissing India’s feet every time they’ve held power in this country. Mr. Prasai, I am proud that we’ve always been an independent nation, but when we start thumping our chests on that notion, we ought to look into the intricacies of how exactly did that come about. Independent we were, but free to make our own decisions and choices, we were not, and still, are not. Singing that tune may make you feel better, but reality, in my opinion is otherwise.
Mr. Prasai, I respect your opinion but I have many problems with what you have to say. I’ve already maintained in our dialogues in the past that I see monarchy as a huge determinant that wants to mess with our freedom – only one of a host of factors I have a problem with as far as monarchy is concerned. More than two hundred years of nothingness ought to say something about the efficiency that such an enterprise holds. Plus, the thought of Gyanendra Shah, who could very well be a murderer (no one’s been able to prove, or disprove that speculation) being our king makes me sick to my stomach and for that matter, anybody being a king just because of their last name and nothing else to show for it, makes me sick to my stomach.
Mr. Prasai, your historical perspectives about the unfortunate aftereffects in foreign nations needs to be commended. I see that as a series of unfortunate events where again, the greed for power coupled with a variety of internal conflicts rendered those states into an all out war zone. Rather than being pessimistic and suggesting that Nepal also will bear similar fate, what we should be doing is learning from those events so that we do not suffer as they did. Mr. Prasai, it is possible. Really. And without having to bow in front of another man/woman purely based on their last names.
Mr. Prasai, I also have a huge problem with you wanting to turn Nepal into a hindu state.
“This is the highest honor Nepal could receive from the international community. Nepal is the country where both Hinduism and Buddhism originated and it is a scared land for more than a billion Hindus and Buddhists. Nepal’s prestige and honor would elevate further if this country is declared a Hindu and Buddhist country, instead of a secular one. Therefore, we must not take up anything that would become too burdensome to carry on.”
Are you serious Mr. Prasai? The highest honor? Really? Mr. Prasai, that argument is flawed on so many different respects, I do not even know where to begin. Mr. Prasai, we are a diverse nation with Nepalis practicing religion in their own free will. Mr. Prasai, you hope to garner international honor and support by suggesting that we be known as a Hindu and a Buddhist nation only? Why can’t we be known as a nation that respects and supports all religions equally? What is so wrong with that?
And Shangrila? In this day and age?
Mr. Prasai, you and I have differing opinions about what is good for Nepal. A man of your intelligence supporting causes (with arguments that seem to make no sense to me) that will only lead to chaos in this country makes me terribly sad. Mr. Prasai, it’s never too late. Let’s work together to make this country successful and a free republic that treats all equally, that respects human rights, that strives for development in all aspects, that is secular, and that is democratic. Please accept my invitation.
Dear Napali jee !
Why would there be a need of a King if Nepal can survive without it? But Nepal should not be compared to other nations. Monarch is Nepal’s alternate power. Nepal does not demand an autocratic royal institution but a pro-people institution. The institution of monarchy is such a force that fights off imperialist force to create a greater Nepal. The King of Nepal never sold the nation, pleaded before foreigners nor killed the people and will never do so. I wouldn’t have said so if I was a citizen of Japan or any other nation, I would have said that the nation will survive without the monarchy, but I am in Nepal. The geographical and class reality of Nepal is such, that the absence of monarchy would mean there will be no Nepal.
This nation was created with joint efforts between the people and the King. Royal Institution is the backbone of Nepali nationality; it is a pillar of trust for continuing stability between China and India. The royal institution is the base pillar for the lasting creative democratic nationalism, which is pessimistic towards autocratic and imperialist management, traitors and terrorism. Nepal as a republic can pose a threat to both India and China. The royal institution is in row, because some Maoist leaders, puppets from Nepali Congress, and UML following Indian directives went against the royal institution. Nepal is a country having a rich cultural heritage.
The Indian congress could not comprehend the realities of its neighbouring nations, due to which Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi died. India is striving to end the identity of Nepal bringing together some sources and impelling some of the traitors like, Girijaprasad, Krishna Sitaula, Ramchandra Poudel, Madhav Nepal ( the PM of , Jhalanath, Subash Nembang, some Maoist and Madhesi leaders. Nepal and Nepali people spread across the world are very much angry at the nude intervention by India. The episode of the killing of pro-Indian elements and ‘RAW’ agents in 1975 in Bangladesh is still fresh. So it is our request to India to avoid a mistake by supporting the pro-Indian leaders.
Nepal is a small country and on the south there is a big country with open border. There are about 800 million Hindus and Indian Hindus respect Nepal as a Hindu kingdom. This should be taken as a matter of pride for all Hindus. For security reasons also, Nepal has a big advantage by being a Hindu country & the birth place of Buddha. If the Maoists are for Nepal’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, all Nepalese request them to change their idea about republic and secularism. Even if one is a Christian or a Muslim, they should support to keep Nepal a Hindu nation. But the so-called big parties have made a great mistake by announcing Nepal as a secular state.
If we want to understand the reality about the republic & secularism we can study the national history of Nepal & India. An analyst Stephen Knapp says- India is slowly losing the Vedic culture (Hinduism) is through the process of secular or Christian education. In public schools all Vedic books have been removed from the curriculum. There are no possibilities to study the ancient Hindu literature or art in such institutions. The Hindu population is slowly forgetting the unique history and lofty culture of their home land. (5th Feb. 2008- Peoples Review) In fact, the Christian saints order to destroy the huts where they keep the idols of Hindu’s God & Goddess and to break the statues of Hindus idols into tiny pieces. That was there goal to destroy Hindu & Buddha culture and make the country a Christian nation.
Now it is a high time Nepal also should be careful to save her indigenous culture & traditions. If monarchy and the Hindu Kingdom will abolish from Nepal, India also can’t secure. Due to the absence of Nepalese monarchy and will finish all the religious culture and traditions of India because there is the special rights of the king for the various Dhams & Temples of India. Nepalese around the world and Nepal’s well-wishers are anxious about this conspiracy against monarchy by some deviant leaders. On the discussion about republic in Nepal, senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party Lalkrishna Advani had said: ‘The framework for constitutional monarchy in Nepal should be consolidated because monarchy is the symbol of Nepal’s identity and sovereignty. Nepal should have an active and dynamic multi-party democracy’. But we in Nepal are trying to dig up a well when there already is water in our rivers.
In 2006 24 April, the monarch handed over the regime to be governed in accordance to 1990 constitution. But the traitors and corrupts after coming to power abolished the 1990 constitution without the knowledge of the monarch and imposed interim constitution. Girija including leaders from NC, UML and Maoist who took oath from the King at the royal palace betrayed the King. That is all.
Thank you.
Dirgha Raj Prasai