B. P.’s National Reconciliation Policy For The Sake Of Nation

-By Ram Chandra Pokhrel

IN Nepalese politics a great historic event took place but quietly in a chilly mid-winter day fourteen years ago. The event unfolded with the landing of an aircraft tht had taken off from Patna at Tribhuvan International Airport on December 30, 1976.

Historic Trip

B. P. Koirala, the helmsman of Nepalese democratic movement, was on board with his senior collegue Ganesh Man Singh and other comrades and supporters. It was a historic trip, for it heralded an end of his eight year long exile in India and a ushered a new chapter of political reconciliation with the King and nationalist forces inside the country. Hence it was a move towards the “national reconciliation” for the greater interest of the nation.

Different speculations spread out as he was arrested at the airport and taken to jail again. Panchayat hard-liners described it as ‘a surrender’, while the leftists, especially the communists, levelled it ‘an alliance between reactionaries’ against left. Moreover, they did not lose the chance of joining together for ‘a common cause’ and called for a move with a new strategy. But B. P. had clearly explained that the nation was ‘in danger’, and his move was directed towards the problem of the nation.

In those days of Cold War era the South Asian sub-continent was encircled by the dangerous sign of instability that had created a dark shadow of political uncertainty looming large over small nations like Nepal. B. P. had started to explain the gravity of the situation with a clear vision of the policy of national unity and understanding between democratic and nationalist forces to overcome the situation. Without the creation of an atmosphere of greater understanding, he visualised a serious threat to the exitence of the small nations in Asia. Therefore he had decided to end his exile and had entered his motherland with a committment and determination to face any danger that could come his way.

As he was arrested at the airport he was driven directly towards the military-run Sundari Jail, a solitary confinement where he had already passed as eight-year-long prison term since 1960.

After his arrest a silent resentment spilled over the country creating discontentment within it in the chilling winter of the Cold War. Everyone serious over the situation stood with a series of questions. Whey was he released from the jail earlier and arrested again? Why did he end his exile and entered the mouth of the dragon?

No doubt it was his great courage to take such a descision. Because there were cases of subversion and treason in the court against him that might lead to death sentence and even execution. Despite all he was ready to risk his own life for the sake of the nation. No doubt he had chosen the path of grave danger that could be the end of his life.

Explaining his policy of reconciliation, he once had said, “If Nepal has a future, if Nepal has a destiny, if Nepal has to prosper, if Nepal is not to remain only as a museum piece tucked away in the folds of Himalayas, then Nepal must first be united as a nation. “He further added, “that unity can only be achieved through the development of democratic institutions in which the people have vested interests.”

Senior leader Koirala had visualised that ‘new development’ were likely to take place in South Asia. In his view the sign of instability looming large over the subcontinent, could eventually aggravate a small country like Nepal. As an example he reffered to the political development in “Sikkim” that had lost its original existence from the map of Asia. He also mentioned and explained the situation developed in Iran and Afghanistan; and cautioned all patriots to come together for unity against any crieis that could come over the nation. Because he confidently used to say that Nepal had ‘to play a role in South Asia.’

Revolutionaries have led revolutions, fought battles agaisnt tyranny and despotic rules, and have been martyrs for their greater cause. But very few of them have dared to take such a courageous step as B. P. did. He led armed struggles for democracy twice in his life. First, he fought successfully to overthrow the century old autocratic Rana family rule in 1951. Secondly, in 1970s he led again another revolution against authoritarian rule of partyless Panchayat system. But later he surprisingly decided to suspend all activities and dared to move into Nepal with ‘no arms’ that naturally resulted in his arrest and jail for an indefinite period.

Meanwhile an international opinion was building up in his favour throughout Asia, Europe and in even America. Human rights organisations like Ammesty International and the political organisation Socialist International created moral pressure and appealed for his immediate release for his medical treatment. He was suffering from cancer. Ultimately he was released on parole and was provided an opportunity to travel the United States for further treatment. It was provided directly by the order of the King. Many had appreciated it as a gesture of the political reform in future. But the feeble cry for democratisation was virtually silenced in the wake of the execution of Capt. Yangya Bahadur Thapa and Bhim Narayan Strestha. As he was about to leave for his country from Europe suddenly he heard the shocking news of the executions. Both of them were his close comrades and Capt. Thapa was the commander of Okhaldhunga armed uprising in East Nepal.

B. P. took it as a conspiracy to discourage him towards his move for national reconciliation. But he remained silent and patient. It reminded him of the advice of his friends and well wishers who had vehemently opposed any move to enter into Nepal without creating a favorable situation. However, he did not lose his heart but continued his policy of reconciliation. When asked to comment on the executions once he had said, “....... They have created psychological difficulties for me because the killings would always be at the back of my mind... But ...the reconciliation process will not be abandoned.”

On his return from abroad he continued in his serious effort to make the process of national reconciliation, a success. Though the hard liners always turned a ear deaf towards his appeal, the moderates and the common people gradually started to understand and respect the spirit of his policy of reconciliation. As time passed, the King appeared to be positive. Announcement of ‘Referendum’ in 1979 was the King’s response, while the misuse of state power agaisnt multi-party side was the conspiracy of Panchayat hard-liners against the political development. Had the referendum been conducted in free and fair manner, the crisis and the heavy loss of lives and property would not have taken place in 1990. However the spirit of democratisation among the people grew stronger and it became more stronger in the policy of nation after referendum. Time and again he confidently used to say that Nepal had ‘to play a role in South Asia.’

Since then Nepal has undergone a great change. Today, the nation has already brought a democratic change and has eastablished a full-fledged multiparty democracy.

Still the nation remembers B. P. for his great commitment to the nation and the people. His life long hard truggle for democracy and its values and ideals, his passion for freedom and social justice for the people commanded great respect in the country and throughout the world. His advocacy for economic equality and struggle against all forms of exploitation in society will always place him as a distinguished personality among his contemporary political leaders in Asia.

In his politics the most important element was the people without which the geography of any country would be meaningless. He always laid emphasis on the citizens and he said that the nation should pay high attention them who had been toiling in the soil even in the state of acute poverty. He always stood with a clear vision in the hour of crisis; and led the people, educated them and mobilised them giving a touch of great nationalist feelings.

To truly remember B. P. it is high time to review the overall development of democracy and its achievement. If we are found to be still in a state of confusion let us not hesitate to take a handful of soil of the motherland and touch it to the heart to get a right answer for the problems of today.

Global Vision

He is no more living physically in this earth but the people in Asia especially the South Asian sub-continent remember him with profound love and respect. In its editorial Navbharat Times on July 1982, wrote; ‘the death of “B. P.” removes from the public life of this sub-continent a leader imbued with an international vision’.

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