Nepali people have always wished for an alternative to correct the mess seen in the political sector

-Bishwa Raj Pandey, Senior Law practitioner, Biratnagar

He hails from Biratnagar. He is a perfect combination of law and education. He is a senior advocate and a very senior teacher indeed.

His modesty and simplicity is beyond explanation.

Born in the year 1938, Professor Bishwa Raj Pandey is M.A in English and Nepali literature both and has also secured Bachelor degree in Law.

He is at the moment a Legal practitioner as an advocate and teacher in local Campus of Biratnagar.

His professional history include, among others, a law practitioner from 1974; have experiences of various civil and criminal cases; have practiced several times right from Supreme Court, Appellate Court, District Court and Quasi- Judicial Courts like Chief District Officer’s Legal section or Land Reforms Officer’s legal Section etc. Teaching English Language and Literature in Mahendra Morang Adarsha Campus, Biratnagar, from a long time.

Mr. Pandey's social status also among others includes the Executive member of Forum for Protection of Human Rights, Morang Unit. Contributing advices, from time to time, to INSEC through Morang District level; have participated actively in almost all the programs concerning Human Rights arranged in Morang Districts; formerly a member of world peace committees, Kathmandu and the President of Democratic Lawyers' Association, Kathmandu. Visited some countries like, Srilanka, China, Thailand, France, Bulgaria, Soviet Union and North Korea as well as India.

Last but not the least, he is also the executive member of Nepal-Russia Friendship Association, Biratnagar branch.

Mr. Pandey taught me English textbooks when I was myself a student of Intermediate in Science in Biratnagar decades back. I recall Mr. Pandey narrating the story of "A tale of two Cities" penned by Charles Dickens

Last week I met Mr. Pandey in Biratnagar and approached for an exclusive interview to which he accepted.

Below the results: chief editor.

TGQ1: The country is in a very bad shape at the moment. Whom would you respected Pandey blame for this bad shape? Is it the political leaders or the System itself? Your remarks please.

Mr. Pandey: Surely, the political leaders are to be blamed because they have established such a system, which is only beneficial to them. They have swindled the common Nepali.

TGQ2: The UML and a section of the congress appear hell bent on effecting certain changes in the constitution. In the process, the nation’s intellectuals, civil society members have apparently been denied their right to participate in the debate regarding the constitutional reforms. How you take this issue? Will the reformed constitution facilitate the Maoists to enter into the national mainstream as claimed by the UML-congress combine? Your comments please.

Mr. Pandey: Political leaders’ emphasis on amending the constitution is vague as well as confusing. Their arguments never show what for and to what extent the amendment is needed. Present context does not show that Maoists will easily enter into the achieved mainstream.

TGQ3: A majority of the population wishes the King’s role in order to correct the mess seen in the political sector of the country especially after the 1990 change. Others say King’s intervention is neither likely nor advisable. What your colleagues, including yourself, have to say in this regard? Your exclusive comments please.

Mr. Pandey: It seems to be due to the precarious conditions brought by the political leaders. Majorities of people have no faith on them. Peace-loving Nepali people have always wished for an alternative to correct the mess seen in the political sectors.

TGQ4: Recently HM the King has given assent to the formation of a Royal Judicial Commission that is expected to probe into the illegal earnings of the Nepali leaders amassed after 1990 while being in power. Do you think the Commission would be able to achieve its declared goals? Will it be able to penalize the top hats in the Nepali political sector or it would just be yet another Commission to divert the attention of the already frustrated Nepali population?

Mr. Pandey: To be dubious about the newly formed Royal Judicial Commission seems to be rather natural because our political tradition has made us accustomed to think so. Even then, lets us hope for the best since there are three senior as well as well – experienced judges in the commission concerned.

TGQ5: As a responsible citizen of the nation and as a senior teacher what you would suggest the Government and the Maoists leaders’ given the state of an almost civil war in the nation.

What you think of the Maoists demand for a constituent assembly and the formation of an interim government?

Should the government accept the Maoists demand or should the Maoists join the mainstream as put by the other camp?

Your exclusive comments please.

Mr. Pandey: To the government, I would suggest to be more beneficial and attentive to the public and to fulfil their promises made in various times. To Maoists, I have to suggest, to leave the path of weapons and war and to come to settlement. In the present situation of attempts to amend the constitution, it seems befitting for the government to fulfil the demand of Maoists for a Constitutional Assembly.

Headline | National | Editorial | 2nd Impression | International | Past