National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

Door Of National Reconciliation

Opening up the iron gate of Sundarijal prison as a B.P. Museum signifies the power of national reconciliation to bring about the changes

By KESHAB POUDEL

When former prime minister and Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala opened the Iron Gate of the compound of Sundarijal prison on Wednesday (8 September), it led to the realization of the power and strength of 'national reconciliation' - a concept that was forcefully propounded by his late elder brother B.P.Koirala.

B.P. Koirala - who spent more than eight years behind that Iron Gate, knew that the path of reconciliation would be difficult but there are no shortcuts to retaining the national identity.

Late BP koirala : Illustrious legacy

“Today our country is in a national crisis, all have realized this. This crisis is getting heightened since the last few years. As a result, the very national identity has been endangered. All including the King have, from time to time, referred to the danger posed to national identity. We are returning home after realizing this grave reality,” said B.P. Koirala in a statement he gave on return from foreign exile on December 30, 1976.

What B.P. Koirala said twenty-seven years ago pointing towards the crisis and calling for national unity is still valid in the Nepalese context as the country is once again engulfed in deep political crisis in the face of violent insurgency.

The opening up of the B.P. Museum seems to mark a realization that three needs to be harmony among different political forces to avert the crisis faced by the country.

At a time when the country is under the direct rule of King and army, opening up of the B.P. Museum – which was part of Sundarijal Arsenal - is very significant. Although the process of opening up the B.P. Museum began more than six years ago, the door finally opened not through any agitations or violent demonstration but through the conviction of national reconciliation.

One of the important parts of the event was that Congress leader G.P. Koirala – who is leading the confrontational course with the King and Army - got the opportunity to open the iron-gate. If national reconciliation can open an iron gate, it will also open all other political gates but what is required is total commitment to the cause.

Whatever the statement G.P. Koirala delivered, his commitment to national reconciliation is unchallengeable. Octogenarian leader Koirala, who is in his last stage of political life, should realize that battalion of hooligans cannot open the political gate and it is possible only through the national reconciliation - which is as relevant today as before.

B. P. Koirala propounded the national reconciliation calling for the coexistence among patriotic democratic forces and patriotic monarchist forces to strengthen the country’s sovereignty.

Although it was a long journey, finally the national reconciliation proved its importance with the acceptance of B.P’s national reconciliation by the monarch and the Royal Nepalese Army - two traditional powerful institutions.

“When Congress leader Girija Koirala pushed the iron gate of Sundarijal prison – where late B.P. Koirala spent a long period of time, it justified B.P.’s bold decision of 1976 to return to Nepal from political exile to India,” said a political analyst. "As monarch has contributed something to national reconciliation (shown by the handing over of the prison facilities by the army to the BP Museum committee), the ball is now in Girijababu’s court and he has to respond now.”

With the publication of Book Jail Journal of B.P. Koirala in 1997, public pressure was built and there is now demands to turn Sundarijal Prison into a B.P. Museum - where B.P. Koirala was imprisoned twice.

The recent event is a reminder to his followers in the party that the bold decision taken by B.P. calling for national reconciliation remains valid for the survival of the country. When he returned from political exile in 1976 calling the national reconciliation, only a few of his followers had supported him.

Upon his return home after several years of political exile in India, the president of then outlawed Nepali congress B.P. Koirala had referred to the threat Nepal’s nationalists faced from outside and stressed the need for national unity and national reconciliation (to prevent such eventuality) between modern patriotic democratic forces and traditional patriotic pro-monarchy forces.

Despite the change of politics in other parts of the world, his idea is more relevant than three decades ago when he returned to Nepal. These looming threats seem to be realized by a side as shown by the permission given to open the iron gate of Sundarijal.

The ball is now on Koirala’s court – who has exercised real power for long time and is leading active political life remaining a powerful politician. “It is up to him to demonstrate his genuine and inner commitment to national reconciliation giving up violent and confrontational course,” said a political analyst.

Through the national reconciliation policy, B.P. had fought the forces of anarchy and instability, which he had said were playing into the external hands. However, his so called followers, knowingly and unknowingly, are encouraging the forces of anarchy and instability.

The offer to Girija Prasad Koirala to open the iron gate was also significant. Since Nepali Congress (Democratic) is leading the coalition government, any other leader of that party could have opened it and inaugurate the museum. Interestingly, 82 years old Koirala was invited to open the gate of place that symbolizes the struggle for nationalism and democracy.

The only emphasis on restoration of democracy alone or a thrust on hollow nationalism both were, according to B.P, hazardous to the country. Nationalism and democracy are complementary to each other. B.P held the view that the national unity can be built on the foundation of democracy and the foundation of democracy can be cemented only after speedy economic development.

Nationalism, democracy and economic development constituted the cornerstone of the national reconciliation. B.P. strictly stood for national reconciliation visualizing that any deviation from its ideology will destroy the party and ultimately ruin the country.

The debate to turn Sundarijal Prison as a B.P. Memorial Museum came after the publication of B.P. Jail Journal in December1997. The jail journal is one of the valuable books written by B.P. Koirala during his solitary confinement.

The inauguration of the B.P. Museum took place when the country is undergoing one of the worst crisis in its history because of distrust and mistrust among the political forces.

The experiences have already shown that the country will face more trouble as long as there continues to be divisions among the political forces including monarchy and democrats. B.P. Koirala, who also launched armed struggle once, suspended it as soon as he was convinced that only through the national reconciliation the nationalism, democracy and economic progress is possible.

Unlike his younger brother Koirala, B.P. had to face a number of politically-motivated court cases and even the punishment of death penalty.

B.P’s courage and conviction on national reconciliation encouraged him to take bold decision. The event of September 9 was historic in the sense that his national reconciliation is now more relevant to the present context of Nepal than ever before.