Editorial (Spotlight Weekly)

Contrary to all expectations of the opposition and apprehensions of the organizers, the civic reception to King Gyanendra at Biratnager by the peoples of eastern region a few days ago passed off most peacefully in a grand manner. The overwhelming welcome and the uninhibited enthusiasm demonstrated by a crowd exceeding all estimates of the proponents and the opponents of the event have, once again, proved beyond a ray of doubt that the monarchy in Nepal still commands great respect and is the picot of hope and inspiration of the people. All those who have been strayed away from the right path and are dreaming of a republic and all those who are dancing to the tunes of the enemies of the country would better realize their folly and stop their anti-national behavior as well as mend their thinking. How are those political leaders going to eat their words for their temerity to say that King Gyanendra was most unpopular? Since they have established themselves as greater irrationals than the deranged persons who go about without cloths, no body is paying any heed to their fulminations. It is time all the patriotic forces got wise about the real intentions of such discredited leaders and discarded them in the best interests of the country. As long such leaders are permitted free actions to poison the minds of simple and innocent Nepalese people, there is no possibility for a sound and healthy democratic behavior to emerge. The powers that be must not fail to take note that such politicians have not only ruined the country but soiled the very image of democracy. it is high time for all friends of the poor Nepalese people to give second thoughts on continuing their support to such self-centered and corrupt politicians and cooperate with the King to restore peace and normalcy in the country for holding the general elections as soon as possible. As long elections are not held and peoples representatives not elected to manage the affairs of the country, there can be no alternative for King Gyanendra but to continue the present system. King Gyanendra can, in no way, give in to the unjust demands of the defamed political leaders. The recent civic reception has clearly exemplified that the overwhelming people do not want the dishonest politicians to rule them.

King Gyanendra, in the royal address at the civic reception has emphasized certain points which all sensible and patriotic Nepalese must seriously mull over. Talking about the multi-party democracy he says, "We must never lose sight of the democratic norms and conduct ourselves preserving the democratic values and stick to democratic behavior and life style." He has exhorted all his peoples and politicians "no to indulge in mutual recriminations and work in unison towards the national welfare as the country is standing at a difficult cross roads." The spontaneous demonstration of love and respect that greeted King Gyanendra on his first "meet the people campaign" after ascending the throne has falsified the misleading outbursts of all motivated politicians. This civic reception at Biratnagar has underscored the necessity that the King must visit other parts of the country to reassure his people that they are not neglected and that the injustices perpetrated by the politicians would be rectified without undue delay. But this entails the quick resolution of the vexing problem of insurgency mounted by the misled section of the people. King Gyanendra has warned his countrymen not to be misguided by ":those who cannot do justice to Nepal and those who forsake the path of peace and they will always be a burden on the country." When Kin Gyanendra said that "monarchy in the twenty first century will only work for democracy, democracy should work for the prosperity of the nation and monarchy and democracy must join hands for the golden future of the people" who can find fault with this statement? Chiding the corrupt politicians, the King said, "The country's future and the security and development of the people cannot be permitted to be held hostage to serve over ambitions and petty interests." As a matter of fact the politicians who continue to spit venom against the monarchy must learn from King Gyanendra how to make a public speech and what kind of language to use. The chagrined politicians and their handful of cronies who are still bicking their wounds for having been deprived of the opportunities of making a quick back may not agree with King Gyanendra and pursue their nefarious anti-national activities at the behest of their alien masters. Since even these politicians were forced to accept the King's address as positive and constructive, no wonder it was hailed by the overwhelming Nepalese people as the valuable guideline for future course of politics in Nepal. Nothing could be more axiomatic when King Gyanendra asserted that "we must resolve all mutual misunderstandings making our traditional patriotism as the focal meeting point." The heartrending killings and spilling of innocent Nepalese blood must stop immediately. It is high time the leaders of the insurgency saw through the evil designs of the enemies of the state. It is high time that all good friends of Nepal came to Nepal's rescue and arrested her journey towards ruination. And it is high time the United State work up to the necessity to take proper actions against those states who are violating the agreement against terrorism lest they might be censured for double standard.

King Gyanendra's unqualified commitment to work as a constitutional monarch and safeguard democracy in Nepal must leave no room for any misgiving. This entails upon the King the utter urgency that the care taker government appointed by him gives a solid performance. The experience of the last three months if not totally despairing does not look very encouraging. Since the failure of the government might cast as Persians the Royal Palace, King Gyanendra has to realize that his responsibility has been greatly enhanced. There is no turning back. He has no only to meticulously honor the trust his poor people have reposed in him but make endeavors to ameliorate their unbearable miseries at the earliest. He has a very narrow and straight path to traverse. Even though he enjoys the unstinted support and loyalty from his people, the slightest deviation might still spell great danger to the institution itself.