Nepal climbs the Everest of democracy
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Nepal has long played host to all out to climb Mt. Everest. In July 1951, during his visit as Prime Minister of free India to Kathmandu, Nehru affectionately hailed Nepal as the "daughter of the Himalayas".
That was ecstasy. But the daughter has all through suffered the agony of autocratic rule. At long last on November 9, 2006, the people of Nepal enmasse climbed the coveted peak and hoisted the flag of "power of the people". The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Communist Party (Maoists) are now in command and solidified by the declaration of the Maoists to abjure resort to weapons. The people of Nepal are aware of the challenges that lie ahead in building a new era. What are these challenges? Before that, let us do a fast forward on a bit of history. India’s Interim Government (September 1946 to mid-August 1947) led by Nehru arrived amicably at a tripartite agreement between Nepal, the UK and India on the future of ten Gurkha regiments in the Indian Army. In May 1947, on a request by Prime Minister of Nepal Padma Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, Nehru sent a team of Congress leader Sriprakasa and legal expert K.K. Sundaram (later India’s Chief Election Commissioner) to help in drawing a constitution. In 1948, diehard reactionaries forced the Prime Minister of Nepal to abdicate when he attempted to democratise the administration. In February 1951, Nepal resumed drafting of a democratic constitution. But in April 1951 the Gurkha Dal and the Rana Family attempted a coup, which was foiled and King Tribhuvan took command. Off and on, King Tribhuvan’s successors stifled the democratic sapling. More recently an aspirant from within the royal family assassinated one of the monarchs. Recent years saw the rise of the arms-wielding Maoists. Earlier in 2006, the SPA and the Maoists jointly led massive rallies that forced the King to hand over power. There was anxiety (HIMAL, October 2006) whether the constituents of this alliance would remain united and be able to hold elections and hand over power to an elected Parliament. The November 9 agreement has settled all contentious issues on arms management and political processes and on the formation of an interim legislature and modality of the Constituent Assembly. The government and the Maoists would have to sign a peace agreement to confine rebels inside the designated cantonments before the formation of the interim government. The King has acknowledged the sovereignty of the people, the Maoists have proclaimed their commitment to peaceful methods, the Army has declared its loyalty to democratic forces. There is a broad consensus on the ultimate goals of society and state — sovereignty of the people; multiparty democracy inclusive of all people, communities and regions; gender-equity; recognition of cultural diversity; rights for all, including minorities; social justice and the rule of law. All of these constitute a compelling vision of Nepal. It cannot be overstressed that the Constitution must unambiguously provide for self-governing elected and accountable institutions at the base covering all of Nepal’s villages to make every Nepalese a custodian of the newly won liberation. The elections to such institutions should be simultaneous with elections to National Parliament. Any staggering which defers the birth of such decentralised institutions could be risky. The administrative machinery, which had been designed to subserve the monarchy, must be wholly bathed in democratic waters. Thus alone would the people be enabled to build a dynamic economic and social edifice for the New Nepal from day one. Source: Asian Age More |
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