Nepal: Revival of Democracy
30 Apr, 2006 · 1999
Prof NK Jha analyses the recent changes in Nepal and options for India
In bowing to popular pressure, announcing the revival of Parliament (dissolved in 2002) and paving the way for the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) to form a government, King Gyanendra has only accepted the inevitable. When he found that his repressive measures, and his earlier offer of April 22 - inviting the political parties to form an interim government with promise of executive power was too little too late to quell the swelling tide of the pro-democracy movement, he had no choice but to climb down even further. It is therefore a historic victory for the country's pro-democracy movement and a true measure of what a genuine people-based movement can achieve in the face of repression. The quick nomination of Girija Prasad Koirala as the consensus choice for the post of Prime Minister - without the unseemly bickering that characterized similar exercises in the past ? demonstrated the maturity gained by the political parties during their anti-King struggle since the imposition of emergency by him in February last year. The SPA has also reiterated its commitment to the agreement, which it had concluded with the Maoists in November 2005 and March 2006 for the formation of a Constituent Assembly that has gained widespread popular support as evident during the last 18 days agitation.
Unfortunately, however, the Maoists have expressed their displeasure over these belated yet positive developments by declaring that their was "a conspiracy to protect the regime" and that their 'struggle'would continue - presumably against the country's legal and elected government. This is likely to recreate the situation in Nepal that prevailed before February 2005, when the political parties and the King jointly fought against the Maoist violence. In a sense, things have become simpler because a line is clearly established now between those who seek to maintain Nepal as a liberal democracy, either as a constitutional monarchy or a republican state, and those who seek to overthrow this order. While the swift return of normalcy to the Kathmandu valley following the king's decision to recall Parliament accepting the people?s verdict on his future, indicates that the Maoists do not have as much support in the area as they might have been led to believe from the massive demonstrations that rocked the capital, there is no room for complacency for the political parties. Unlike their past record of indulging in corruption and infighting leading to instability and mis-governance that contributed in no small measures to the growth of Maoists, they must now act unitedly for the betterment of the people and bring the Maoists into the political mainstream.
As far New Delhi is concerned, it must extend all assistance to a legal government in Kathmandu to meet the challenges that it will confront in restoring democracy, peace and order in Nepal. The Maoist attack on an army camp within hours of the April 24 royal proclamation was a violent reminder that they mean to do everything they can to bring the new government to its knees. While extending assistance to the democratic government in moving Nepal towards peace and prosperity, New Delhi and the international community must remind the political parties that the last thing they can afford now is to get lulled into complacency by their recent triumph.
As regards the fate of the King and the institution of monarchy which he personifies, his belated realization of the democratic urges of the people, probably prompted by his desperate urge to salvage whatever he could, will not earn him any kudos. On the contrary, this will only reinforce the distrust he has earned for his brutal suppression of the people's democratic aspirations. This means that the SPA, Parliament, government and the people have to remain watchful that the King does not contrive to obstruct the SPA plan to restore democracy and peace. Unfortunately, the institution of monarchy, which was earlier accepted by the people as the great unifier and a symbol of the state's authority, has now come into doubt. The question now is whether the people will persuade themselves to venerate the monarchy as before. Only the coming weeks and months will reveal the fate of the King and the Crown.
Unfortunately, however, the Maoists have expressed their displeasure over these belated yet positive developments by declaring that their was "a conspiracy to protect the regime" and that their 'struggle'would continue - presumably against the country's legal and elected government. This is likely to recreate the situation in Nepal that prevailed before February 2005, when the political parties and the King jointly fought against the Maoist violence. In a sense, things have become simpler because a line is clearly established now between those who seek to maintain Nepal as a liberal democracy, either as a constitutional monarchy or a republican state, and those who seek to overthrow this order. While the swift return of normalcy to the Kathmandu valley following the king's decision to recall Parliament accepting the people?s verdict on his future, indicates that the Maoists do not have as much support in the area as they might have been led to believe from the massive demonstrations that rocked the capital, there is no room for complacency for the political parties. Unlike their past record of indulging in corruption and infighting leading to instability and mis-governance that contributed in no small measures to the growth of Maoists, they must now act unitedly for the betterment of the people and bring the Maoists into the political mainstream.
As far New Delhi is concerned, it must extend all assistance to a legal government in Kathmandu to meet the challenges that it will confront in restoring democracy, peace and order in Nepal. The Maoist attack on an army camp within hours of the April 24 royal proclamation was a violent reminder that they mean to do everything they can to bring the new government to its knees. While extending assistance to the democratic government in moving Nepal towards peace and prosperity, New Delhi and the international community must remind the political parties that the last thing they can afford now is to get lulled into complacency by their recent triumph.
As regards the fate of the King and the institution of monarchy which he personifies, his belated realization of the democratic urges of the people, probably prompted by his desperate urge to salvage whatever he could, will not earn him any kudos. On the contrary, this will only reinforce the distrust he has earned for his brutal suppression of the people's democratic aspirations. This means that the SPA, Parliament, government and the people have to remain watchful that the King does not contrive to obstruct the SPA plan to restore democracy and peace. Unfortunately, the institution of monarchy, which was earlier accepted by the people as the great unifier and a symbol of the state's authority, has now come into doubt. The question now is whether the people will persuade themselves to venerate the monarchy as before. Only the coming weeks and months will reveal the fate of the King and the Crown.
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