—Fifty years after Democracy —
Aspirations remain unmet

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Feb 17: Today the entire nation celebrates the 51st National Democracy Day. Fifty one years ago, democracy was ushered in the country after the abolition of the Rana regime. However, historians and political leaders do not find any difference in people’s attitude and expectations, but today they seem to be more concerned about deteriorating condition of democratic norms and values.

Every year when the nation celebrates the Democracy Day, there arises a question as to how our democratic exercises in the past five decades have been successful in fulfilling the people’s Historians recall – the day was Falgun 4, 2007 B.S (three day before the announcement of democracy), when King Tribhuwan landed in the Gauchar (presently Tribhuwan International Airport) from New Delhi, thousands of people across the Kathmandu valley had thronged there to receive the King who had put his throne at stake for the sake of democracy. Their happiness knew no boundary.

Three days after His arrival, the announcement of the demise of 104 years Rana oligarchy and the establishment of democracy had sparked a great jubilation among the Nepalese people.

In fact the establishment of democracy had not only elevated the people’s expectations, it had also rendered new responsibilities to all the political leaders who fought for democracy and freedom.

But, clouds of confusion began to hover over the sky of Nepal’s politics. within a few years, recalls prominent historian Bhuwan Lal Pradhan.

According to him, tussle for power and partisan interest among political parties and their leaders had begun to plant frustration towards democracy after 2007.

He finds a vast different in the attitude of political leaders then and now. In the past political leaders were honest towards the interest of the nation and were not corrupt.

Pradhan, who has already witnessed number of events such as - the establishment of democracy in 2007 BS, beginning of party-less Panchayat System in 2017 B.S. and reinstatement of democracy in 2046 B.S. (1990), categorically blames the political leaders for tarnishing the image of democracy during the past decade.

Though the country has gone through several ups and downs in its five decades of political history, common Nepalese citizens have had high expectations that the reinstatement of democracy in 2046 (1990) would change their fate. However, according to historians, economists or even common citizens, things have turned despairing.

Hari Krishna Shrestha, one of the founder members of the Nepal Prajaparishad, the first political party in the country, observes that there has been a sea change in the political culture among leaders of today and those of yesteryears. He expresses frustration over the growing anomalies in the country and points out the need to overcome it at the people’s level.

Speaking at a similar vein historian Pradhan who evaluates today’s situation as much worse, focuses the need of awareness and unity among the people.

Ram Hari Sharma, another founding member of the Nepal Prajaparishad (the first political party in the country founded in 1987 BS), who has closely observed a number of political incidents, finds a vast different in the political culture of the leaders.

"Success of democracy largely depends upon the sacrifice and dedication of political leaders," says Sharma.

Similarly, 85-year-old Bharat Bahadur Bhattarai, who has also witnessed the political changes in his life, plainly speaks that lack of selfless attitude among the political leaders has created frustration towards democracy among the people. Celebration of Democracy Day becomes relevant only when people’s expectations are fulfilled.

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