While the 21st century is witnessing a rise in advocacy for
democracy and fundamental rights there is a counter current in
Nepal against this mainstream flow of this idea.
Past few days saw a rise in Pro monarchy rallies in many parts of
Nepal .The series of pro-monarchist rallies and demonstrations
have been drawing crowds across Kathmandu and other cities,
signalling an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the already
established democractic regime of Nepal.
Nepal’s 239-year-old monarchy was abolished in 2008 by a
specially elected assembly as part of a deal with Maoist former
rebels, ending an insurgency that killed 17,000 people between
1996 and 2006.The last king, 77-year-old Gyanendra, lives as a
commoner with his family in a private house in Kathmandu.
Political instability has rocked Nepal, one of the world’s poorest
countries, with 14 governments since the abolition of the
monarchy, hampering economic growth and discouraging
investment.
Nepal Struggle with Democracy:
In 1951, after the ousting of the Rana rule, the monarchy
continued to dominate Nepalese politics. Nepali Congress party
wonbut it struggled to control Nepal. In 1959, King declared NC
as corrupt, removed it from power and subsequently installed a
party-less Panchayat system. In 1994, the Unified Marxist Leninist
Party (UML) tried to generate an anti-India feeling in Nepal. The
UMLbeganto assert that the NC is in reality controlled by
Congress party of India. This led to a perception amongst the
Nepali people about India’s control and interference over Nepal
and its internal affairs through the NC. UML succeeded in
capturing power for a short period of 9 months in Nepal.The UML
was removed and the NC assumedpower again in 1994. A series
of events however shook the world and Nepal which occurred in
2001, In a royal massacre on a scale unmatched since the deaths
of the last Tsar of Russia and his family in 1918, 29-year-old
Crown Prince Dipendra opened fire on his parents, King Birendra
Bir Birkram Shah Dev, 55, and Queen Aishwarya; a brother, Nirajan,
22, and sister, Shruti, 24, aunts Sharada and Shanti ,brother-in-law
Kumar Khadga; and his father’s cousin, Princess Jayanti.It is
believed the prince, who was educated at Eton in England and
tried to exert a Western influence on this strictly religious
country.Nepalese Government and military sources later said the
prince was on a life-support system at a military hospital.In a
move to maintain strict royal protocol, the State Council named
Prince Dipendra as king. But they said his uncle, Prince Gyanendra,
51, would act as regent because Dipendra was mentally and
physically unfit to carry out his duties. When Gyanendra Shah
ascended the throne after his brother’s death, he attempted to
reassert absolute authority and return Nepal to the pre-1990
political order. His power grab and crackdown on democratic
forces triggered a backlash. The tide turned when Maoist rebels
abandoned an armed struggle to join the mainstream democratic
process .Since then the country saw many civil and political
unrest which over a period of time, evolved into civil uprising and
took an ideological turn to Maoism. The Maoist movement in
Nepal became fully manifested by 2005.An interim constitution
was prepared in 2007.After tremendous delays, Nepal finally
accepted a constitution in September 2015.
Since 2008, power has primarily alternated among the Nepali
Congress, which has led the fight for democracy since the fall of
the Rana regime , the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist
Leninist), the largest of the leftist parties; and the former Maoist
rebels.
With the new unfolding unrest within Nepal, the pro monarchy
protesters have taken up streets to oust the present government
and establish a monarchy ruled state.Nepalese authorities have
detained over 100 individuals following violent clashes during a
pro-monarchy demonstration in Kathmandu. The protest,
organised by supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah, called
for the reinstatement of Nepal’s constitutional monarchy.
Tensions escalated on Friday as demonstrators pelted stones,
vandalised a political party’s office, torched vehicles, and looted
shops. The situation worsened when the crowd attempted to
march toward the parliament building, prompting a strong police
response. Law enforcement used tear gas, water cannons, rubber
bullets, and live rounds fired into the air to disperse the protesters.
The Nepalese Army was later deployed to restore order.
The violence erupted after Durga Prasai, the convenor of the
protest, broke through security barricades in a bulletproof vehicle
and headed toward Baneshwor, where the Parliament building is
located. Two people lost their lives in the violence, including a
television cameraman and a protester who suffered a gunshot
wound. A protester has died of a gunshot wound and at least 112
injuries, including 53 police officers, 22 Armed Police Force
personnel, and 35 protesters.
Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday accused former
King Gyanendra Shah of attempting to disrupt social harmony and
instigate violence.
With the police and military power under democratically
established government and majority faction of elected MPs
supportting KP sharma oli any coup attempt is highly unlikely to
get success however this does show the resentment and anguish
of Nepal people against the government.
Reference:
The Hindu
Times of india
Times now world
Southern Deccan herald
