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Kathmandu Sunday February 18, 2001 Falgun 07, 2057.
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Save democracy, please
By Rajesh Man KC
Today is the 51st National Democracy Day. The
nation is celebrating the day with great joy and jubilation. A 251 member National
Democracy Day Celebration Committee has already been formed under the chairmanship of
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to observe the occasion in a grand manner on February
18, 19 and 20. The committee has also decided to celebrate the golden jubilee of the
establishment of democracy by incorporating the inauguration of various development and
construction works undertaken throughout the year.
Every year, Democracy Day is observed on the
7th of Falgun. This day indeed has a great significance in the history of Nepal. On this
very day, the century plus old Rana family regime was ousted and a democratic system
established in the country through the joint efforts of the king and the people. History
tells us that the Nepalese people have made great sacrifices for the sake of a democratic
set up in the country and His late Majesty King Tribhuvan himself undertook the leadership
of the people’s revolution in the cause of democracy. Intellectuals comment that such
a cordial relationship between king and people in Nepal is rare and a unique example in
world history. But unfortunately, this hard-earned democracy could not survive more than a
decade. In 2017 BS, the late King Mahendra imposed a partyless Panchayat system after
overthrowing the majority government of the Nepali Congress led by the late BP Koirala.
One of the major reasons behind this political development is said to be internal
squabbles between politicians and political parties. The Panchayat system thus prevailed
in the country for more than three decades.
However, the Nepalese people could not accept
Panchayat polity as a fully democratic system. The system was indeed totalitarian in
nature. That is why the people began to express their dissatisfaction with Panchayat
polity. Finally, on the same historical day of Falgun 7, they launched the Jana Andolan
(People’s Movement) under the joint initiative of the Nepali Congress and the United
Left Front. After a continuous struggle of fifty-two days, they succeeded in toppling the
Panchayat system. His Majesty King Birendra, keeping in mind the people’s wish and
aspirations, granted them the multiparty system of democracy and accepted the role of a
constitutional monarch for himself. A historic proclamation was made at midnight of 26
Chaitra, 2046 BS. His Majesty then formed an interim Council of Ministers under the
premiership of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai with the joint representation of the Nepali
Congress, the Nepal Communist Party and royal representatives.
And following the recommendation made by the
interim Council of Ministers, His Majesty promulgated the Constitution of the Kingdom of
Nepal-1990 on the 23rd of Kartik 2047 BS. The Constitution that provides for the
fundamental principles of mulitparty democracy, constitutional monarchy, people’s
sovereignty, rule of law and fundamental human rights, is supposed to be the most
democratic constitution in the constitutional history of Nepal.
More than a decade has now elapsed since the
restoration of democracy. During this period, the Nepalese people have experienced
different types of governments- government by majority, government by minority and
government through coalition with this and that political party or parties. But we feel
sorry to note here that not even a single government seems to have been capable of
providing a right direction to the country and the countrymen. The living standard of the
people is deteriorating day by day and the life of the common people is getting more and
more complicated. Corruption is widespread, the problem of unemployment is rampant and
prices of daily necessities have gone up, up and up. Billions have been received in loans
and grants but the number of people living below the poverty line is increasing rather
than decreasing. Even the official data shows that 42 percent people in Nepal are below
the absolute poverty line. The reality is even more alarming!
In the meantime, the Maoist problem is
becoming another headache for the country. The Maoists have been conducting their
activities since the past couple of years and it was just few days back that they observed
the 6th year anniversary of their so-called ‘People’s War’. Hundreds of
innocent people have been killed in this insurgency and there is no knowing when and how
this series of killings of innocent people will come to an end.
Well, this writer is not concerned with the
political ideology of this or that party. He is neither a political worker nor is he
associated with any political party. But as a responsible citizen of the nation, he just
wants to make the suggestion that such serial killing of one Nepali by another Nepali must
be stopped. Such killing is too much and perhaps it is the humble wish of every Nepali, be
he aligned with any political party or not, to follow the motto "Live and let
live."
Under these circumstances, the question
naturally arises in the mind of the common people is, what is the use of a democracy that
fails to address the problems and grievances of the people? Does democracy mean only
access to power by a limited number of politicians and political parties? Or is it a
license for them to misappropriate the nation’s funds and resources? People are
seeking answers to these questions from our politicians and political parties. Democracy,
definitely, is not bad in itself. Had democracy been bad by nature, the Nepalese people
would not have made such a great sacrifice in its cause! It is indeed, one of the best
systems of governance in the world. But it is the vested interest of some politicians and
political parties that is defaming democracy.
It is not the intention of this write-up to
blame all politicians and political parties. It is just an attempt to remind one of a
well-known Nepali proverb- yauta kuhiyeko aanp le tokari ko aru aanp lai pani bigarchha (a
rotted mango may damage other mangoes in the basket also). Democracy in its truest sense
means achieving social justice, human dignity and economic prosperity that lead to a good
quality of life. But it is not a license for anyone to do anything that he wants to.
Democracy has its own norms and values that need to be adhered to by all sectors of life,
particularly by politicians and political parties who have expressed their commitment to
the protection of democracy in one way or the other. Political parties no doubt are the
lifeblood of democracy. Democracy needs political parties because they are the means by
which citizens get an opportunity to choose their representatives. But when politicians
and political parties themselves ignore the norms and values, it may become difficult for
democracy to take root in society.
So, it is and should be the first and foremost
duty of our politicians and political parties to act sincerely, keeping in mind the norms
and values of democracy. Lack of sincerity and honesty in our political parties may bring
great harm to this hard-earned democracy. History is evidence that if democracy is lost
the cost may be unbearable. So, save it well, please!
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