Continuing Nepal tragedy

There are perhaps important lessons that leaders can draw from the recent developments in Nepal. An institution like that of the monarchy can hardly be expected to survive if it is out of sync with the political realities and becomes a stumbling block in the democratic functioning of the country. That was what the monarchy turned out to be, ossified in outlook, and atrophied in dynamism while stifling the press and other institutions of the state. The arrogance of power displayed by the monarch has been most harmful for his country that had pitted the monarchy against the people, a wholly unwarranted development, and which may well turn out to be his nemesis.

We have our total support for the aspirations of the Nepalese people and our heart goes out to those that have lost their dear and near ones, trying to fulfil their desire of seeing democracy established in Nepal. However, the positions of the king and the seven-party alliance are at a tangent, which ought to be reconciled in the interest of the nation. Democracy must be provided with an opportunity for a smooth transition. The window of opportunity must not be missed in staving off further bloodshed and turmoil in the Himalayan kingdom. And it is for the king to set the ball rolling by taking the next step as a follow up of his recent announcement, in the light of the ground realities, instead of waiting for the opposition to name a prime minister, an offer that the public see as a ploy to procrastinate power handover to people.

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Power must devolve to its appropriate owners, the people. And it is for the people of Nepal to decide the future of monarchy in their country.