Monarchy And Election
The cover story “Monarchy in Constituent Assembly” (SPOTLIGHT January 12) indicates that putting monarchy in a test of popular election for a country like Nepal could be counterproductive. Perhaps that is true. It will further divide this country if the old institution is put through the rigors of overly-politicized exercise. Better would have been to let the institution function as a figurehead. However, given the level of bitterness among the domestic political forces this does not seem possible. Let us hope the country will not be injured any further.
Rishav Gartaula
Old Baneshwore
Timely Move
The decision to put the institution of monarchy under the CA election is a timely move (“Monarchy in Constituent Assembly” SPOTLIGHT January 12). It is the need of hour to settle the issue of monarchy through popular mandate. The CA representatives will be elected by the people based on their policy and agenda. One of the primary agenda the prospective CA candidates will put forth is the one concerning the issue of monarchy. As such, people will get to cast their votes by considering all these factors.
Bijaya Gurung
Kaushaltar
Heal The Nation
The call for self-determination and ethnic autonomy and sundry other demands have slowly started to hit at the integrity and sovereignty of this country (“Monarchy in Constituent Assembly” SPOTLIGHT January 12). The activities of Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha, Kirat Workers Party and similar other outfits are very disturbing. Quite clearly, these activities could lead to the disintegration of the country. Especially at a time when the nation is headed for the elections of Constituent Assembly, such activities and such demands could lead to unanticipated catastrophe. For those who say that the country should become federal or have ethnic autonomous region, they should understand that the real world is very different from what their ideological belief or utopian dreams push them towards. There are all kinds of elements in the society and however much good-intentioned, their idea of autonomous regions could soon spiral out of their control and become a full-blown separatist movement – after all what exactly the right to self determination means if it does not allow you to secede? The right to self determination that they are advocating today will undoubtedly turn into the right to secession very quickly. Look how the countries like Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering. Let us not go into that dangerous path. That will not lead to new Nepal .
Kebal Nepali
Kathmandu
Democracy Diverted
When the people of Nepal rose up against the dictatorship of royal regime in the April of 2006, they were demanding a new peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nepal (“Monarchy in Constituent Assembly” SPOTLIGHT January 12). They had not expected their leaders to trample upon the very norms and values of the nationhood. By opening up the Pandora’s Box, the Nepali leaders are now faced with daunting challenge of meeting seemingly impossible demands coming from a secessionist movement in Terai to all-encompassing inclusion and federalism. The leaders do not look capable enough of dousing the flames of fire that they have ignited.
Purna Limbu
Dhapasi
Dictatorship In The Offing?
The article “Dictatorship of Eight Parties (SPOTLIGHT January 12) was very interesting. It showed how the political leaders have now hijacked the democracy of the people. In the pursuit of power and ideology, leaders are outright disregarding the fundamental rights of the citizens. The interim constitution appears to be no more than a document cementing the power of the current ruling alliance plus the Maoists. These developments indicate that the country may be headed from fire to the frying pan.
Jivan Bastola
Harisiddhi
Monopolizing Democracy
It appears that the eight parties are going to monopolize the democracy and freedom, which the people of Nepal had fought for and reclaimed just a year ago (“Dictatorship of Eight Parties SPOTLIGHT January 12). By writing their name in the interim constitution and by inserting provisions that warrant their understanding on each and every occasion, the eight parties have exposed their intention. The Maoists must be grinning from ear to ear for achieving this feat even before the holding of Constituent Assembly elections.
Ramita Shrestha
Balaju
Statue Uncovered
Following your write up two weeks ago, the statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah seems to have been uncovered, but only so reluctantly (“Unity is Strength, SPOTLIGHT January 12). The government made a very unwise move by canceling the public celebrations of National Unity Day and Prithvi Jayanti. They are trying to delete a part of Nepalese history – the part that is so very vital since it was during the time of Prithvi Narayan Shah that the modern state of Nepal was unified. How can any civilized society deny their very national identity and integration? In these times of madness, it is useless to talk about things like nationalism, patriotism and sovereignty.
Hikmat Karki
Dhumbarahi
