NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Why Apathy Towards Democracy?

By Jagadish B. Mathema

In the year 2046, immediately after the announcement of multi-party democracy by His Majesty the King in the course of the peoples demonstrations, a mass meeting was held at the open air theatre at Tundikhel . During that time, the incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala had said," This victory does not belong to Nepali Congress alone, this is the victory of Panchayat system also-this is the victory of all the people of Nepal." But Girija Prasad Koirala was chided. There was a big disturbance in the mass meeting

As a matter of fact Girija Prasad Koirala's expression was correct. Democracy is not the property of a single person- it is the system that belongs to all Nepalese.

I had heard an astrologer prophesize that the stalwart of Panchayati system- former Prime Ministers Surya Bahadur Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand would become Prime Ministers again following the advent of democracy. Surya Bahadur and Lokendra Bahadur Chand did not believe in this prophecy. But, as prophesized by the astrologer, they both sat on the chair of Prime Ministership. The prophesy made at Tundikhel in 2046 came true- because democracy belongs to everybody.

It is said that democracy may not be perfect, but of all the systems practiced democracy is the best. Former late President of the United States Abraham Lincoln had said "Democracy is of the people, by the people and for the people".

It has been now one decade that the people of Nepal have obtained democracy. During this one decade, there have been many ups and downs. Majority government of Nepali Congress, minority government of Nepal Communist Party ( United Marxist Leninist) , coalition government consisting of Nepali Congress, National Democratic Party and Sadbhana Party, coalition government of Nepal Communist Party, National Democratic Party and Sadabhavana Party were formed. During this period three general elections were conducted.

Out of ten years of governance, Nepali Congress governed for eight years. The incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala became Prime Minister for four times. Krishna Prasad Bhattari became Prime Minister twice. Similarly leader of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deoba, leader of Nepal Communist Party (UML) late Man Mohan Adhikari, leaders of Nepal Democratic Party Surya Bahadur Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand also became Prime Minister. All these could be possible because of the democratic exercises in a democracy.

Our democracy has not more than matured yet. England's democracy is 1000 years old, American democracy is 200 yrs old and our neighbouring country India's democracy is 53 years old after its independence. The more we practice democracy, the more it gets matured. As a raw diamond stone becomes brighter more and more with constant cutting, similarly a gold smith makes the gold shining with constant rubbing so also democracy becomes more and more mature with its constant practice.

Democracy is in itself not a bad system. The players in the system, such as the political leaders must be responsible in making the system good or bad as a result of their playing methods.

Democracy belongs to those also, who are apathetic to democratic system. There is a marked difference in character between Panchayati system and democracy. Panchayat system was conservative, democracy is liberal. Panchayat system was a closed system- Democracy is open. Panchayat system had embraced only the rulers and their stooges- but on the other hand democracy belongs to 20 million Nepalese. In democracy sovereignty is vested in the people. Representatives of the people govern and are accountable to the people.

The present democratic constitution enjoyed by the people is a multi party democratic system wherein the king is a constitutional monarch. In the present context, monarchy is secure as long it abides by the constitution. Thus the constitutional monarchy is the best form of system in the interest of the King. Regressive elements must be thinking that if the king wishes, he can demolish this system- but infact this is incredible because the system that will follow would not be democratic. If there is confrontation between the King and the people- the harm will be inflicted on the King. In constitutional monarchy- the king never does wrong.

During these ten years of democracy- the cunning and clever players in the system thought that the system is a means to govern the common people, earn immense wealth, take maximum enjoyment and by hook or by crook to derive benefits for themselves, family and kith and kin's. To obtain wealth by the exercise of power and to obtain political power by the use of wealth has become their motto.

They are even prepared to demolish the government of their own party and to seize the power for themselves. The past events are the testimony of this fact.

In fact, our country is small. It is not difficult- to develop this country consisting of 20 million people. There exists profound goodwill in our friendly nations. Provided our political leaders really work hard with sincere efforts to alleviate poverty and to remove backwardness, it is not a difficult task to bring prosperity to this nation. Unfortunately our leaders lack such feelings. For any country to get rid of poverty and backwardness is not a big problem. If we turn the pages of history, there are ample illustrations of nations that have achieved progress by peoples sencerity, confidence, hard work and dedication.

However, as we observe the present situation- the despair that has engulfed the common people, the corruption that is prevalent widely among political parties as well as political leaders, the present assault from the extreme leftists and extreme rightists, the active involvement of the external forces to bring destabilization in the country, the day to day degradation in the economy and constant assault against aspirations of the people have resulted in bringing apathy towards democracy.

Democracy is a service aimed at solving people's problems. In democracy, the political parties form governments by contesting in the elections with the help of manifestos with their principles and programmes. Those, who obtain majority of seats in the parliament form government and those who get minority seats play a role of opposition and try to get peoples support on the issues of national interest.

During these ten years the people have become poorer and poorer. The number of unemployed people are increasing. Where the faith and confidence of people is continuously sinking and democracy is becoming weaker.

But democracy is a beautiful system. This system always provides out let as an alternative.

The present issue is how to remove the apathy towards democracy that has emanated currently. Let us treat this in time otherwise we will be in deep trouble. Let us make an end of this apathy towards democracy- because there is no alternative to democracy.