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Nepal: A glorious chapter ushered in
THE South Asian country of Nepal is now a Republic. Definitely, it is big news. The nation has consigned the 240-year old monarchy into history, and a glorious chapter begun for its people when the constituent assembly near unanimously voted for turning the
Himalayan kingdom into a Republic, in line with the pledges that the radical Maoists and the political parties made before the last elections. The Maoists, the surprise winners in the polls, and other major parties like the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist), in the landmark first session of the constituent assembly, abolished the monarchy.
Indeed, it is a great event not only for Nepal but for the region as well, and also beyond. The abolition of monarchy was in the cards for some time past, and now the last nail in its coffin has formally been driven in, much to the delight of the people. Unquestionably, a new chapter has ushered in, in the topsy-turvy history of a country which has been the cynosure of many eyes in the recent times because of a variety of developments. Turning of Nepal into a secular republic in place of a Hindu kingdom has come as a logical corollary to all these developments that were generally acclaimed both at home and outside.
Not long ago, a remarkable democratic victory was accomplished in Nepal, convulsed by a long-drawn people's agitation demanding restoration of representative authority and curbing corruption and misuse of powers by the monarchy. King Gyanendra capitulated and finally agreed to reconvene the elected parliament, which he had dissolved in 2002 in utter disregard to democratic norms.
The Himalayan country admirably introduced Westminster type democracy in 1990, ending the more than two centuries old effective monarchy, but was later robbed off this system. However, some of the politicians were also to blame for the situation as they failed to live up to people's expectations because of their unbridled corruption and abuse of power. The king exploited this situation to grab absolute authority for the throne once again, but his repressive rule and lust for power and wealth once again turned the masses against him and, consequently, Nepal reverted to representative rule.
The seven-party government headed by Prime Minister G. P. Koirala faced two main problems when elected government was restored. First, the monarchy issue as the government was vacillating on the matter. The seven-party alliance carried out the anti-king movement in collusion with the ultra leftist "Maoists", who were totally opposed to the existence of monarchy in any form and wanted to make the country a "People's Republic." The political parties were somewhat at variance with the radicals on this issue.
The monarchy debate posed a big challenge since some quarters felt that the country might continue with the "twin pillars" of constitutional monarchy and elected government, in line with Britain or Japan. Many others strongly felt that the "monarchy concept" must be scrapped altogether. Secondly, the two sides had some disagreement on the question of status of the Maoist militants and the arms belonging to them.
While the monarchy issue caused some rupture in the Maoist-seven party unity, people by and large felt that the country could move ahead towards a new future if the political parties and the Maoists worked together in that direction. The two sides maintained broad
understanding and agreed for elections in November last for a constituent parliament to draft a new constitution. The "Maoists" also joined the government.
Unfortunately, differences cropped up as the radicals quit the government, charging that the political parties were not doing enough against the monarchy. True, the government had taken several decisions, including curbing political and financial powers of the king, and was mulling with the idea of nationalising the seven palaces belonging to the royal family. But the Maoists considered these measures as inadequate and opposed tooth and nail the existence of the monarchy in any form. They decided to boycott the November polls and, consequently, the elections were postponed, and were held only when the ultras agreed to participate.
The radicals, a force to reckon with by that time, were sufficiently wooed by the government of Prime Minister G. P. Koirala, who also agreed in principle that the throne would be abolished, but a formal and legal decision on such a major issue would be taken by a constituent assembly that would be formed through popular votes. The balloting that was scheduled for November last year was rescheduled for April this year, and the Maoists scored a stunning victory. The mandate was seen as an endorsement by the people of the radicals' position on the monarchy and then it was only a matter of time when a formal decision would be taken by the constituent assembly on doing away with the throne.
And now this has taken place! People danced on the streets on hearing the decision by the legislature that the kingship was over, and May 29 was declared as Republic Day. King Gyanendra was given two weeks time to vacate the palace in Kathmandu, which will now be turned into a museum.
King Gyanendra took to the throne following a mysterious palace massacre in 2001, that killed popular King Birendra and most members of the royal family. He and his son Paras, both widely disliked by the people for their corruption and other misdeeds, came at the centre of the conspiracy theories about killing of King Birendra, his elder brother. People heaved a sigh of relief when their powers were curbed and monarchy was turned into a ceremonial one. But most Nepalese were waiting eagerly for the system of royalty to be altogether scrapped, since many viewed the monarchy as the main reason for the perennial problems of the poverty-ridden country. Now that it has taken place, Nepal is looking for a better future, both politically and economically.
The Maoists are expected to form the new government as the winner of the most seats. Other political parties are expected to join the coalition, even though efforts towards that direction may hit some snags for the simple reason that the radicals and the major political parties fought against one another in the last balloting. But the bottomline is that they also demonstrated unique unity in the anti-king agitation in 2006. Whatever be the political scenario in Nepal in the coming days, what cannot be altered is that a glorious chapter has been added in the history of the nation in the form of it becoming a republic. The Maoists and the political parties deserve unqualified kudos for this development.
Hopefully, the picturesque country will move ahead towards political and economic stability. In any case, turning Nepal into a republic, eliminating the monarchy, is certainly one of the single-most remarkable development that has taken place in recent times in the South Asian region.
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