 |
Kathmandu Thursday June 07, 2001 Jestha 25, 2058.
|
Rise to the occasion
Never in the recent history of Nepal has there been greater
need for national unity and unity of purpose. The stunning tragedy of the past few days
has cast a shadow over the very future of this country as we know it. In the face of these
developments, the troubles with which the public were preoccupied till only a few days
ago, such as the deadlock between the ruling and opposition parties and even the Maoist
insurgency, have clearly taken a back seat. Look at it this way. The House of Gorkha, the
dynasty which founded modern Nepal and has become a symbol of national unity and
integrity, has now been almost wiped out. In the absence of hard information on just what
transpired that Friday evening at the palace, all manner of rumour are making the rounds.
The new king has constituted a three member high level committee to bring out the true
facts surrounding the tragedy. But matters have not been helped by the decision of the
main opposition party leader, named to the committee, to withdraw his participation on a
technicality. The subjects of rumour range from the fate of the country to poisoning of
the water and milk supply. The situation in the capital and in the country at large,
though under control, is still tense and could take a turn for the worse on pretty short
notice.
Against this sombre background, the role played by the
political parties has not exactly been impeccable. They have not been above trying to
extract political mileage out the situation. Never since the restoration of multi-party
democracy in 1990 has there been greater need for the political parties, as well as all
their fraternal and tertiary organizations, to rise above party interests and work in the
interest of the country. There are some within the political party spectrum who are not
exactly considered to be dyed in the wool democrats. There are those whose nationalism is
sometimes questioned. This is a good time for them to establish their democratic and
nationalistic credentials beyond doubt by putting the national interest uppermost. The new
monarch, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, has, in his very first public
statement since ascending the throne, committed himself to multiparty democracy and
constitutional monarchy. But this commitment by the monarch has to be matched by similar
commitment from the political parties not only in words but in their political conduct in
these trying times. And before the public can fully overcome its shell shock and the
country can return to normal life in politics and in other ways, the mystery of the Friday
evening tragedy has to be laid to rest. This is the first order of business now facing
this nation and its rulers. This is where the political parties can start as they rise to
the occasion and play the role that history expects of them. History will be a harsh judge
if they fail the nation now.
Other Stories
|
