Prerana Marasini
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101053701600.htm
President Ram Baran Yadav offers ‘tika’ to citizens
KATHMANDU: Celebrating the main festival of Nepali Hindus, President Ram Baran Yadav offered ‘tika’ (a mixture of rice, vermillion, and curd) to national and international citizens in the capital on Thursday.
Mr. Yadav offered the blessings of the festival in the capacity of head of State of the Himalayan country, which was until 2006 a Hindu Kingdom. Among others, Vice-President Paramananda Jha and Deputy Prime Minister Bam Dev Gautam received ‘tika’ from the President.
Likewise, the former royal couple, Gyanendra Shah and Komal Shah, also offered Dashain blessings to former ministers, former army personnel and the general public.
Kamal Thapa, former Home Minister and now chairperson of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, after receiving the blessings, told journalists that Nepalis still have a soft corner for monarchy.
Hundreds of people had gathered at Nirmal Niwas (Shah’s private residence, though they live in Nagarjun Palace) in Maharjguj to get the blessings from the former royal couple.
Earlier, the kings used to formally offer Dashain blessings to ministers, officials and the general public; but now that monarchy is abolished in the country, the ex-royal couple organised the programme at their private residence.
PTI reports:
In a message, President Yadav extended best wishes to all the Nepalese on the occasion and wished that communal harmony and national unity prevailed in the country.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thousands seek blessings of Nepal's former king
http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-35876720081009
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - About 5,000 people lined up in front of the private home of Nepal's ousted King Gyanendra on Thursday to seek his blessings on an important Hindu festival, his first as a commoner.
The king's loyalists, many of them ministers and senior officials during his absolute rule which ended in 2006, stood in queues for more than an hour to greet Gyanendra on the 10th day of the Dasain festival, when people seek the blessings of elders.
Gyanendra and his wife Komal applied red vermilion paste to the foreheads of people, some on wheelchairs and others with crutches, outside their heavily guarded home in the capital Kathmandu.
"I feel very happy to receive their blessings," said 75-year-old Ripu Sudan Thapa after he greeted the former royal couple, who sat on chairs in front of their home.
Nepal abandoned its 239-year-old monarchy in May and became a republic following a deal with former Maoist rebels to end their decade-long civil war.
Gyanendra left his official palace in June and has since been living in a former hunting lodge outside the Nepali capital.
The Maoist former rebels are now heading a coalition government meant to oversee the preparation of a new constitution and cap a peace process which began in 2006.
(For the latest Reuters news on Nepal see: in.reuters.com, for blogs see blogs.reuters.com/in/)
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - About 5,000 people lined up in front of the private home of Nepal's ousted King Gyanendra on Thursday to seek his blessings on an important Hindu festival, his first as a commoner.
The king's loyalists, many of them ministers and senior officials during his absolute rule which ended in 2006, stood in queues for more than an hour to greet Gyanendra on the 10th day of the Dasain festival, when people seek the blessings of elders.
Gyanendra and his wife Komal applied red vermilion paste to the foreheads of people, some on wheelchairs and others with crutches, outside their heavily guarded home in the capital Kathmandu.
"I feel very happy to receive their blessings," said 75-year-old Ripu Sudan Thapa after he greeted the former royal couple, who sat on chairs in front of their home.
Nepal abandoned its 239-year-old monarchy in May and became a republic following a deal with former Maoist rebels to end their decade-long civil war.
Gyanendra left his official palace in June and has since been living in a former hunting lodge outside the Nepali capital.
The Maoist former rebels are now heading a coalition government meant to oversee the preparation of a new constitution and cap a peace process which began in 2006.
(For the latest Reuters news on Nepal see: in.reuters.com, for blogs see blogs.reuters.com/in/)
Popularity test for King Gyanendra
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200810041333.htm
Kathmandu (PTI): Dethroned King Gyanendra's public rating would be put to test on Vijaya Dashami, to see if ordinary Nepalese still seek his blessings and 'Tika' or they turn to new President of the Republic Ram Baran Yadav.
Government daily Gorkhapatra has issued a notice saying that those wishing to receive Tika on their forehead on Vijaya Dashami may visit President Baran's official residence at Dhapasi.
King Gyanendra till last year, before the abolition of monarchy, offered Tika from Narayanhity Palace to his loyalists, the general public and government employees, who were strictly instructed to participate in the function.
But this time, the deposed king will shift temporarily to Nirmal Niwas situated one km west of the main Narayanhity Palace to observe the ceremony as an ordinary citizen. Nirmal Niwas is currently occupied by his daugther-in-law Himain and grand son, while son Paras is residing in Singapore.
The occasion will prove as an acid test to his popularity as it remains to be seen if people will seek his blessings or wish to receive the 'Tika' from President Yadav who will perform the ritual at his official residence in Dhapasi.
In his first public appearance, after he was stripped off his powers, the former king met Indian saint Kripalu Ji Maharaj at Bhaktapur on Thursday and wished the people ahead of Vijaya Dashami.
Kathmandu (PTI): Dethroned King Gyanendra's public rating would be put to test on Vijaya Dashami, to see if ordinary Nepalese still seek his blessings and 'Tika' or they turn to new President of the Republic Ram Baran Yadav.
Government daily Gorkhapatra has issued a notice saying that those wishing to receive Tika on their forehead on Vijaya Dashami may visit President Baran's official residence at Dhapasi.
King Gyanendra till last year, before the abolition of monarchy, offered Tika from Narayanhity Palace to his loyalists, the general public and government employees, who were strictly instructed to participate in the function.
But this time, the deposed king will shift temporarily to Nirmal Niwas situated one km west of the main Narayanhity Palace to observe the ceremony as an ordinary citizen. Nirmal Niwas is currently occupied by his daugther-in-law Himain and grand son, while son Paras is residing in Singapore.
The occasion will prove as an acid test to his popularity as it remains to be seen if people will seek his blessings or wish to receive the 'Tika' from President Yadav who will perform the ritual at his official residence in Dhapasi.
In his first public appearance, after he was stripped off his powers, the former king met Indian saint Kripalu Ji Maharaj at Bhaktapur on Thursday and wished the people ahead of Vijaya Dashami.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sacked Nepal king gets festival reprieve
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/sacked-nepal-king-gets-festival-reprieve_100101329.html
Kathmandu, Sep 29 (IANS) Nepal’s last king Gyanendra, who was formally stripped of his crown four months ago and was compelled to vacate his ancestral palace in June, has received a festival reprieve from the new Maoist government.The deposed monarch, who has been residing in the Nagarjuna summer palace, once a hunting lodge of his forefathers, began readying to quit the mansion and take up abode in his assassinated younger brother’s villa when the Maoists formed the new government.
On Monday, the Tarun weekly, which is close to the opposition Nepali Congress party, said the anti-monarchy Maoists had agreed to allow the ex-king to retain the old palace since he was once head of state.
It said the former king, living in virtual exile, had sent an emissary to the Maoist government which subsequently decided to let him live on in Nagarjuna.
Gyanendra’s stepmother Ratna has also been allowed to continue living in her own residence in the Narayanhity royal palace. The octogenarian refused to leave it, saying it was steeped in the memory of her husband Mahendra and she would breathe her last there.
Perhaps heartened by the new understanding with the Maoists, the former king, who has been leading a low-key life in the remote mansion, continued with the tradition begun when the Shah kings were omnipotent.
The former king and queen, Komal, issued their customary greetings and well wishes for the upcoming Dashain festival, to the people.
However, the greetings cards were signed by the former royal couple as ordinary citizens, without the earlier prefix of “His and Her Majesty”.
Soon after Gyanendra’s departure — the sequel to the anti-monarchy wave that resulted in the abolition of monarchy and the state takeover of all royal palaces — the Narayanhity royal palace was declared a national museum by the government.
However, the then government of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala conceded the king’s request to let him move into the Nagarjuna palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley till he was able to locate a suitable alternative residence.
The decision triggered a public outcry with civil society members opposing the move. “Give beggars alms, not palaces,” said the placards borne by the protesters during street rallies.
After Nepal’s former Maoist guerrilla party, which had waged a 10-year war to unseat the king, came to power in August, it was expected that the new Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ would revoke the earlier decision and order the deposed king to leave his new residence as well.
However, more than a month after the Maoists came to power, there is no indication that Gyanendra would be turned out of his sanctuary.
Kathmandu, Sep 29 (IANS) Nepal’s last king Gyanendra, who was formally stripped of his crown four months ago and was compelled to vacate his ancestral palace in June, has received a festival reprieve from the new Maoist government.The deposed monarch, who has been residing in the Nagarjuna summer palace, once a hunting lodge of his forefathers, began readying to quit the mansion and take up abode in his assassinated younger brother’s villa when the Maoists formed the new government.
On Monday, the Tarun weekly, which is close to the opposition Nepali Congress party, said the anti-monarchy Maoists had agreed to allow the ex-king to retain the old palace since he was once head of state.
It said the former king, living in virtual exile, had sent an emissary to the Maoist government which subsequently decided to let him live on in Nagarjuna.
Gyanendra’s stepmother Ratna has also been allowed to continue living in her own residence in the Narayanhity royal palace. The octogenarian refused to leave it, saying it was steeped in the memory of her husband Mahendra and she would breathe her last there.
Perhaps heartened by the new understanding with the Maoists, the former king, who has been leading a low-key life in the remote mansion, continued with the tradition begun when the Shah kings were omnipotent.
The former king and queen, Komal, issued their customary greetings and well wishes for the upcoming Dashain festival, to the people.
However, the greetings cards were signed by the former royal couple as ordinary citizens, without the earlier prefix of “His and Her Majesty”.
Soon after Gyanendra’s departure — the sequel to the anti-monarchy wave that resulted in the abolition of monarchy and the state takeover of all royal palaces — the Narayanhity royal palace was declared a national museum by the government.
However, the then government of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala conceded the king’s request to let him move into the Nagarjuna palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley till he was able to locate a suitable alternative residence.
The decision triggered a public outcry with civil society members opposing the move. “Give beggars alms, not palaces,” said the placards borne by the protesters during street rallies.
After Nepal’s former Maoist guerrilla party, which had waged a 10-year war to unseat the king, came to power in August, it was expected that the new Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ would revoke the earlier decision and order the deposed king to leave his new residence as well.
However, more than a month after the Maoists came to power, there is no indication that Gyanendra would be turned out of his sanctuary.
Sacked Nepal king gets festival reprieve
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/sacked-nepal-king-gets-festival-reprieve_100101329.html
Kathmandu, Sep 29 (IANS) Nepal’s last king Gyanendra, who was formally stripped of his crown four months ago and was compelled to vacate his ancestral palace in June, has received a festival reprieve from the new Maoist government.The deposed monarch, who has been residing in the Nagarjuna summer palace, once a hunting lodge of his forefathers, began readying to quit the mansion and take up abode in his assassinated younger brother’s villa when the Maoists formed the new government.
On Monday, the Tarun weekly, which is close to the opposition Nepali Congress party, said the anti-monarchy Maoists had agreed to allow the ex-king to retain the old palace since he was once head of state.
It said the former king, living in virtual exile, had sent an emissary to the Maoist government which subsequently decided to let him live on in Nagarjuna.
Gyanendra’s stepmother Ratna has also been allowed to continue living in her own residence in the Narayanhity royal palace. The octogenarian refused to leave it, saying it was steeped in the memory of her husband Mahendra and she would breathe her last there.
Perhaps heartened by the new understanding with the Maoists, the former king, who has been leading a low-key life in the remote mansion, continued with the tradition begun when the Shah kings were omnipotent.
The former king and queen, Komal, issued their customary greetings and well wishes for the upcoming Dashain festival, to the people.
However, the greetings cards were signed by the former royal couple as ordinary citizens, without the earlier prefix of “His and Her Majesty”.
Soon after Gyanendra’s departure — the sequel to the anti-monarchy wave that resulted in the abolition of monarchy and the state takeover of all royal palaces — the Narayanhity royal palace was declared a national museum by the government.
However, the then government of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala conceded the king’s request to let him move into the Nagarjuna palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley till he was able to locate a suitable alternative residence.
The decision triggered a public outcry with civil society members opposing the move. “Give beggars alms, not palaces,” said the placards borne by the protesters during street rallies.
After Nepal’s former Maoist guerrilla party, which had waged a 10-year war to unseat the king, came to power in August, it was expected that the new Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ would revoke the earlier decision and order the deposed king to leave his new residence as well.
However, more than a month after the Maoists came to power, there is no indication that Gyanendra would be turned out of his sanctuary.
Kathmandu, Sep 29 (IANS) Nepal’s last king Gyanendra, who was formally stripped of his crown four months ago and was compelled to vacate his ancestral palace in June, has received a festival reprieve from the new Maoist government.The deposed monarch, who has been residing in the Nagarjuna summer palace, once a hunting lodge of his forefathers, began readying to quit the mansion and take up abode in his assassinated younger brother’s villa when the Maoists formed the new government.
On Monday, the Tarun weekly, which is close to the opposition Nepali Congress party, said the anti-monarchy Maoists had agreed to allow the ex-king to retain the old palace since he was once head of state.
It said the former king, living in virtual exile, had sent an emissary to the Maoist government which subsequently decided to let him live on in Nagarjuna.
Gyanendra’s stepmother Ratna has also been allowed to continue living in her own residence in the Narayanhity royal palace. The octogenarian refused to leave it, saying it was steeped in the memory of her husband Mahendra and she would breathe her last there.
Perhaps heartened by the new understanding with the Maoists, the former king, who has been leading a low-key life in the remote mansion, continued with the tradition begun when the Shah kings were omnipotent.
The former king and queen, Komal, issued their customary greetings and well wishes for the upcoming Dashain festival, to the people.
However, the greetings cards were signed by the former royal couple as ordinary citizens, without the earlier prefix of “His and Her Majesty”.
Soon after Gyanendra’s departure — the sequel to the anti-monarchy wave that resulted in the abolition of monarchy and the state takeover of all royal palaces — the Narayanhity royal palace was declared a national museum by the government.
However, the then government of prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala conceded the king’s request to let him move into the Nagarjuna palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley till he was able to locate a suitable alternative residence.
The decision triggered a public outcry with civil society members opposing the move. “Give beggars alms, not palaces,” said the placards borne by the protesters during street rallies.
After Nepal’s former Maoist guerrilla party, which had waged a 10-year war to unseat the king, came to power in August, it was expected that the new Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ would revoke the earlier decision and order the deposed king to leave his new residence as well.
However, more than a month after the Maoists came to power, there is no indication that Gyanendra would be turned out of his sanctuary.
Ex-Crown Princess Himani’s tête-à-tête with Nepal media
TGW - Ex-King Gyanendra’s sober and charming daughter-in-law Mrs. Himani Shah in a surprising encounter with the media men in the Pashupati Nath Temple Kathmandu yesterday October 1, 2008, has said that moving to Singapore from Nepal was primarily meant for the education of her children.
“We do not have any plans to permanently reside in Singapore”.
On July 17, 2008 former Crown Princes Himani and her children had left for Singapore after Nepal was declared republic on May 28, 2008 by the Constituent Assembly.
Himani who is currently in Kathmandu to celebrate the Dashain festival also observed her 32nd Birthday on Wednesday October 02, 2008.
Mrs. Shah nevertheless, preferred to remain tight lipped when asked by the media men as to how she felt being a normal citizen after monarchy abolished in Nepal?
Mrs. Shah is married to ex-crown prince Paras Shah –who currently in Singapore is also shortly to arrive home to celebrate greatest Hindu festival Bada Dashain together with his father-Ex-King Gyanendra.2008-10-02 08:39:21
“We do not have any plans to permanently reside in Singapore”.
On July 17, 2008 former Crown Princes Himani and her children had left for Singapore after Nepal was declared republic on May 28, 2008 by the Constituent Assembly.
Himani who is currently in Kathmandu to celebrate the Dashain festival also observed her 32nd Birthday on Wednesday October 02, 2008.
Mrs. Shah nevertheless, preferred to remain tight lipped when asked by the media men as to how she felt being a normal citizen after monarchy abolished in Nepal?
Mrs. Shah is married to ex-crown prince Paras Shah –who currently in Singapore is also shortly to arrive home to celebrate greatest Hindu festival Bada Dashain together with his father-Ex-King Gyanendra.2008-10-02 08:39:21
Nepal’s Ex-King makes first public appearance
TGW http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=4166
Amid tight security, Nepal’s last monarch Gyanendra Shah today visited the Aashram of Swami Kripalu Maharaj -“Shyama-Shyam Dham” in the Bhaktapur district.
Former King Gyanendra left the Nagarjun Palace at exactly 11:30 AM and rushed to the Bhaktapur Ashram where he stayed for over an hour.
Volley of questions greeted the former King from the media men who asked questions primarily on Nepal’s latest political events.
Media reports add, local people in huge numbers thronged to see their former monarch at the Ashram.
He, however, remained tight lipped apparently not to embarrass the ruling coalition, say reports.
Nevertheless when pressed hard Gyanendra Shah said, “I have only a desire left and that is all the Nepali citizens live in Peace and Prosperity”.
King Gyanendra was accompanied by his better-half Komal.
With Dashain festival going on since September 30, 2008, ex-King Gyanendra and his family have increased their religious activities.
Staunch royalists are expected to accept vermillion Tika from the ex-King on the tenth day of the festival, October 9, 2008.2008-10-02 13:21:02
Amid tight security, Nepal’s last monarch Gyanendra Shah today visited the Aashram of Swami Kripalu Maharaj -“Shyama-Shyam Dham” in the Bhaktapur district.
Former King Gyanendra left the Nagarjun Palace at exactly 11:30 AM and rushed to the Bhaktapur Ashram where he stayed for over an hour.
Volley of questions greeted the former King from the media men who asked questions primarily on Nepal’s latest political events.
Media reports add, local people in huge numbers thronged to see their former monarch at the Ashram.
He, however, remained tight lipped apparently not to embarrass the ruling coalition, say reports.
Nevertheless when pressed hard Gyanendra Shah said, “I have only a desire left and that is all the Nepali citizens live in Peace and Prosperity”.
King Gyanendra was accompanied by his better-half Komal.
With Dashain festival going on since September 30, 2008, ex-King Gyanendra and his family have increased their religious activities.
Staunch royalists are expected to accept vermillion Tika from the ex-King on the tenth day of the festival, October 9, 2008.2008-10-02 13:21:02
Nepal ex-king in first public appearance since monarchy abolished
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcrX6jldpcXOISVolWaRX3z632zQ
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Nepal's deposed king Thursday visited a Hindu temple in his first public appearance since the abolition of the monarchy in the Himalayan nation.
Former king Gyanendra Shah -- regarded by loyalists as the incarnation of a Hindu god -- has been living a quiet life since being ousted in May by Nepal's Maoist-dominated assembly.
He now lives as a commoner in a former hunting palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu, pushed out of public life as a result of the peace process that saw the Maoists end their decade-long insurgency.
"Let peace prevail in the country and all Nepalese people be able to live and work as per their wish," the unpopular former king said in a brief response when questioned by reporters at the temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
"I would like to extend my best wishes to all Nepalese on the occasion of Dashain festival," the former king said.
Gyanendra looked relaxed and cheerful and put his hands together in the traditional greeting as crowds of people gathered to see him, witnesses said.
The former monarch -- who drove himself in a jeep to the Hindu temple in Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres (eight miles) east of Kathmandu -- just smiled when asked to comment on Nepal's political situation.
Nepal is currently celebrating the 15-day Dashain Hindu festival, which marks the triumph of good over evil.
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Nepal's deposed king Thursday visited a Hindu temple in his first public appearance since the abolition of the monarchy in the Himalayan nation.
Former king Gyanendra Shah -- regarded by loyalists as the incarnation of a Hindu god -- has been living a quiet life since being ousted in May by Nepal's Maoist-dominated assembly.
He now lives as a commoner in a former hunting palace on the outskirts of Kathmandu, pushed out of public life as a result of the peace process that saw the Maoists end their decade-long insurgency.
"Let peace prevail in the country and all Nepalese people be able to live and work as per their wish," the unpopular former king said in a brief response when questioned by reporters at the temple on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
"I would like to extend my best wishes to all Nepalese on the occasion of Dashain festival," the former king said.
Gyanendra looked relaxed and cheerful and put his hands together in the traditional greeting as crowds of people gathered to see him, witnesses said.
The former monarch -- who drove himself in a jeep to the Hindu temple in Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres (eight miles) east of Kathmandu -- just smiled when asked to comment on Nepal's political situation.
Nepal is currently celebrating the 15-day Dashain Hindu festival, which marks the triumph of good over evil.
Ex-King Gyanendra says he wants peace in the country
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2008/oct/oct02/news09.php
In his first public appearance since the declaration of republic, former King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on Thursday.
Speaking briefly to journalists after visiting Shyama Shyam Dhama in Thimi, Bhaktapur, the ex-King said he wanted peace in the country. He also said wished for a peaceful festival (Dashain) for Nepali people. He, however, dodged political questions.
He stayed there for nearly an hour when he met Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of the Hindu sect. It was not known what transpired during the meeting, but the ex-King is known to have gone there to receive blessings from the Indian god-man.
He had left Nargarjuna 'palace', his new home in the middle of a forest in the northwestern suburb of Kathmandu, at 11am, without security escort.
Gyanendra has lived a reclusive life ever since he moved to Nagarjuna palace on June 11 after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on May 28 this year. nepalnews.com mk Oct 02 08
In his first public appearance since the declaration of republic, former King Gyanendra visited a shrine of a Hindu religious sect in Bhaktapur on Thursday.
Speaking briefly to journalists after visiting Shyama Shyam Dhama in Thimi, Bhaktapur, the ex-King said he wanted peace in the country. He also said wished for a peaceful festival (Dashain) for Nepali people. He, however, dodged political questions.
He stayed there for nearly an hour when he met Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, the leader of the Hindu sect. It was not known what transpired during the meeting, but the ex-King is known to have gone there to receive blessings from the Indian god-man.
He had left Nargarjuna 'palace', his new home in the middle of a forest in the northwestern suburb of Kathmandu, at 11am, without security escort.
Gyanendra has lived a reclusive life ever since he moved to Nagarjuna palace on June 11 after the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic on May 28 this year. nepalnews.com mk Oct 02 08
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
QUO VADIS NEPALI CONGRESS?
The kathmandu Post, September 4, 2008
Dr Khagendra N Sharma
Quo Vadis- which way- is the Nepali Congress moving? It looks odd that it has chosen to remain outside the government. Girija Koirala is known to be a master in breaking a government- any government including his own- to perpetuate his rule- his dynastic rule- no matter what happens to the nation, to the party, to the ideology of his party, to the devoted cadres of his party and to the people at large. Ever since the CPN-Maoist were returned as the largest party in the constituent assembly election, the NC has found it extremely difficult to adjust. Prime Minister Girija stuck to his seat until all alibis were exhausted to prevent the Maoists from leading the government. He insisted until the last moment that the only desired course was the course of consensus. But at the final stroke, he led his party in the opposition bench. With what intent?
It is obvious that the NC failed to accept that they were rejected by the people as the leading party at the present juncture. History will acknowledge that the NC led the movement for democracy ever since they fought against the formidable rule of the Ranas before their removal in 1950. The removal of the Ranas and the restoration of the full power of the monarch, particularly under king Mahendra, gave the NC no less trouble. After a brief spell of democratic governance, the NC was thrown out of power by king Mahendra and most of the NC leaders were either jailed or exiled for decades. The NC kept the burner of the democratic movement alight and led the movement or the restoration of democracy in 1990. Until that juncture, the NC had nurtured an image of the champion of the people.
However, the NC became power hungry after that watershed. The people voted the NC into power, but the party did not remain the champion of the people any longer. The central leadership of the NC wove a cobweb of power, pampering a few dishonest characters with constant pouring of ministerial berths irrespective of their corrupt image in the public. The first act of dissolution of the parliament by Girija turned out to be disastrous, resulting in a hung parliament. In stead of learning from the disaster and rebuilding its image, he started breaking the government one after another. The series resulted in the weakening of the democratic set-up and the king played his autocratic card. King Gyanendra not only disregarded the constitution, but also swallowed the constitutional parties in one morsel.
Restraining the autocratic monarch was so mountainous that the parliamentary parties had to take out the rally of the Maoists from the jungle. Disarming the Maoists and bringing them into the mainstream politics was initiated by the UML but it was joined by the NC in the final act of signing the 12 point agreement which became the successful plank to push the king out. The interim period under the leadership of Girija as the PM has had its successes, culminating in the election for the CA. But the result did not go as the NC and their leader Girija wanted. It proved to be a bone in the throat of the NC. The positions of the President and a VP were created in the Interim Constitution and a role for the opposition was created to assuage the NC. The interim period was successful on account of the consensus approach in the national politics. But the NC chose to break the successful tradition of consensus and went to the opposition bench.
The role of an opposition would be a healthy development during the normal course of a nation's democratic governance. But this is not yet a normal course of federal, democratic republic of Nepal. The IC has talked of restructuring of the state, but nothing has changed except the nomenclature of the head of the state. The federal components have not even been identified. There are several other aspects of state restructuring which cannot be successfully accomplished by the government alone unless it is a consensus government. Every bit of the restructuring will require the consensus of the people because the people have wanted the changes. This needs deep probing into, and strong articulation of, the nation's best interest by each stake holder. And there is no doubt that the NC is a strong stake holder.
The CA has two facets: the constitution maker and the nation's interim legislature. Constitution making is the main function of the CA: nay, it is the main function of the state. The CA has a short tenure of two years out of which almost half a year has already been wasted. The legislative function will have to be kept only within the indispensable minimum of day to day governance. By all reasoning, there can be no room for opposition in the constitution making part of the CA. So, the utmost role that an opposition can play is in the small hours of the legislative functioning of the CA. The NC in opposition can try to restrain the government in the day to day function. But its impact will be limited because the NC will be crushed by the sheer numbers. Because the NC did not take any comrades-in-arm in choosing to be in the opposition, they are going to remain in an absolute minority.
As there will be not much to do in the opposition, the fertile brain of Girija may contrive innovative ways of destabilizing the government. It was imminent from the last hour consultation Girija did before finally surrendering power to the Maoists that he was not happy to see the Maoists in the saddle of the government. He and his pampered ex-ministers will have ample time to flirt with the parties and CA members who are not happy at the composition of the cabinet and the selection of the present ministers, and try to win them over in bringing down the government. But it is unlikely that it will be successful this time. No government can work with the Maoists outside it. And, with the UML out, it cannot work out even a simple majority.
The role in the constitution making part of the CA will also not be easy for the NC. Their decision to remain in the opposition will create a conceptual rift with the government and it will deter the process of consensus in serious issues. The provision of the two/thirds majority to legitimize the constitution will keep the NC in a weak position in bargaining and they cannot check the unwanted parts of the new constitution from being carried out in the CA. Thus, they will be ineffective both in the legislative part and the constitution making part of the CA functions.
The NC can use this new-found role of not being responsible for running the country in a number of areas. First they can leisurely evaluate the various reasons why the CA election did not go in their favor. They have been blaming the intimidating tactics of the Maoists as the main reason of their defeat. But they have fared the same fate where the Maoists have the least influence.
Secondly, they can evaluate the role of the leadership. Much has been said in this respect in the political market. They can do some introspection. Third, they can discuss internal democracy inside the party itself. Probably they can find a lot of home work in here. Finally, they can re-establish public contact, particularly in areas where the NC base has been broken during the last election. If these things are seriously done, they may regain some of the lost ground in the next election. That may turn out to be the boon in disguise for remaining in the opposition.
Dr Khagendra N Sharma
Quo Vadis- which way- is the Nepali Congress moving? It looks odd that it has chosen to remain outside the government. Girija Koirala is known to be a master in breaking a government- any government including his own- to perpetuate his rule- his dynastic rule- no matter what happens to the nation, to the party, to the ideology of his party, to the devoted cadres of his party and to the people at large. Ever since the CPN-Maoist were returned as the largest party in the constituent assembly election, the NC has found it extremely difficult to adjust. Prime Minister Girija stuck to his seat until all alibis were exhausted to prevent the Maoists from leading the government. He insisted until the last moment that the only desired course was the course of consensus. But at the final stroke, he led his party in the opposition bench. With what intent?
It is obvious that the NC failed to accept that they were rejected by the people as the leading party at the present juncture. History will acknowledge that the NC led the movement for democracy ever since they fought against the formidable rule of the Ranas before their removal in 1950. The removal of the Ranas and the restoration of the full power of the monarch, particularly under king Mahendra, gave the NC no less trouble. After a brief spell of democratic governance, the NC was thrown out of power by king Mahendra and most of the NC leaders were either jailed or exiled for decades. The NC kept the burner of the democratic movement alight and led the movement or the restoration of democracy in 1990. Until that juncture, the NC had nurtured an image of the champion of the people.
However, the NC became power hungry after that watershed. The people voted the NC into power, but the party did not remain the champion of the people any longer. The central leadership of the NC wove a cobweb of power, pampering a few dishonest characters with constant pouring of ministerial berths irrespective of their corrupt image in the public. The first act of dissolution of the parliament by Girija turned out to be disastrous, resulting in a hung parliament. In stead of learning from the disaster and rebuilding its image, he started breaking the government one after another. The series resulted in the weakening of the democratic set-up and the king played his autocratic card. King Gyanendra not only disregarded the constitution, but also swallowed the constitutional parties in one morsel.
Restraining the autocratic monarch was so mountainous that the parliamentary parties had to take out the rally of the Maoists from the jungle. Disarming the Maoists and bringing them into the mainstream politics was initiated by the UML but it was joined by the NC in the final act of signing the 12 point agreement which became the successful plank to push the king out. The interim period under the leadership of Girija as the PM has had its successes, culminating in the election for the CA. But the result did not go as the NC and their leader Girija wanted. It proved to be a bone in the throat of the NC. The positions of the President and a VP were created in the Interim Constitution and a role for the opposition was created to assuage the NC. The interim period was successful on account of the consensus approach in the national politics. But the NC chose to break the successful tradition of consensus and went to the opposition bench.
The role of an opposition would be a healthy development during the normal course of a nation's democratic governance. But this is not yet a normal course of federal, democratic republic of Nepal. The IC has talked of restructuring of the state, but nothing has changed except the nomenclature of the head of the state. The federal components have not even been identified. There are several other aspects of state restructuring which cannot be successfully accomplished by the government alone unless it is a consensus government. Every bit of the restructuring will require the consensus of the people because the people have wanted the changes. This needs deep probing into, and strong articulation of, the nation's best interest by each stake holder. And there is no doubt that the NC is a strong stake holder.
The CA has two facets: the constitution maker and the nation's interim legislature. Constitution making is the main function of the CA: nay, it is the main function of the state. The CA has a short tenure of two years out of which almost half a year has already been wasted. The legislative function will have to be kept only within the indispensable minimum of day to day governance. By all reasoning, there can be no room for opposition in the constitution making part of the CA. So, the utmost role that an opposition can play is in the small hours of the legislative functioning of the CA. The NC in opposition can try to restrain the government in the day to day function. But its impact will be limited because the NC will be crushed by the sheer numbers. Because the NC did not take any comrades-in-arm in choosing to be in the opposition, they are going to remain in an absolute minority.
As there will be not much to do in the opposition, the fertile brain of Girija may contrive innovative ways of destabilizing the government. It was imminent from the last hour consultation Girija did before finally surrendering power to the Maoists that he was not happy to see the Maoists in the saddle of the government. He and his pampered ex-ministers will have ample time to flirt with the parties and CA members who are not happy at the composition of the cabinet and the selection of the present ministers, and try to win them over in bringing down the government. But it is unlikely that it will be successful this time. No government can work with the Maoists outside it. And, with the UML out, it cannot work out even a simple majority.
The role in the constitution making part of the CA will also not be easy for the NC. Their decision to remain in the opposition will create a conceptual rift with the government and it will deter the process of consensus in serious issues. The provision of the two/thirds majority to legitimize the constitution will keep the NC in a weak position in bargaining and they cannot check the unwanted parts of the new constitution from being carried out in the CA. Thus, they will be ineffective both in the legislative part and the constitution making part of the CA functions.
The NC can use this new-found role of not being responsible for running the country in a number of areas. First they can leisurely evaluate the various reasons why the CA election did not go in their favor. They have been blaming the intimidating tactics of the Maoists as the main reason of their defeat. But they have fared the same fate where the Maoists have the least influence.
Secondly, they can evaluate the role of the leadership. Much has been said in this respect in the political market. They can do some introspection. Third, they can discuss internal democracy inside the party itself. Probably they can find a lot of home work in here. Finally, they can re-establish public contact, particularly in areas where the NC base has been broken during the last election. If these things are seriously done, they may regain some of the lost ground in the next election. That may turn out to be the boon in disguise for remaining in the opposition.
Nepal: Monarchy is Still the Answer
By Preeti Koirala
http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=4066
By all indications, it seems that India is fastly getting frustrated with the new dispensation in Kathmandu. The UPA government with the nudges from the Left had hoped that the Maoists would come to the mainstream and dance to its tunes which is why from 2002 onwards there is ample evidence that India's intelligence agencies were actively trying to bring Koirala and the Maoists together.
Shyam Saran who had close contacts with King Gyanendra resided in Kathmandu with a single purpose:- somehow pressure the King to sideline the parties so that he would naturally fall into the trap. Surya Bahadur Thapa was made Prime Minister precisely because of Saran's lobbying in 2003 despite of Madhav Nepal's natural contestation. Thapa became more loyal to Delhi than to the palace and he agreed to grant the Indian Embassy which no other foreign embassy had got from the Nepal government. It could now select, fund, implement 'development works' all along the Tarai belt without taking permissions from the National Planning Commission or the Finance Ministry.
No one knows how much money went to actually building schools and hospitals and how much was used for other sinister activities but this certainly provided the main basis for the Tarai agitation three years later. Saran's successor Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, toed Saran's line in ditto and despite of the King's repeated information to him that he was about to do what he did on Feb. 1st 2005; Mukherjee did not object to it during his audiences with the King because he too wanted the King to fall into the trap. The rest is history.
But why was India so desperately wanting to get rid of the world's only Hindu monarchy since such a long time? Nothing can explain this except for the fact that having achieved an average of 7-8 percent economic growth rate and having built a sizeable military, Delhi now wants to conduct a major operation in Tibet and take a revenge of 1962 with China. For this, Nepal is a natural launching pad as it has a virtual open border both with itself and with Tibet. A puppet regime, weak army and the police seemingly under its grip and all pro-Chinese institutions gone out of the scene, Delhi also influenced the U.S. to go in tandem on the 'Nepal Policy' that it had devised. Everything seemed to go well so much so that anti-China protests were witnessed on a daily basis in Kathmandu just before the Olympics.
But as soon as the anti-Hindi riots erupted in all major cities in Nepal, did Delhi suddenly got a rude shock? Nepalese people, staunchly nationalist as they are had acquired this new "craze" in the last two years of Koirala's hated rule to be anti-Indian. In fact, previous anti-Indian demos had also taken place during the time of Koirala's Prime Ministership. Then the Maoists who formed the government, all of a sudden forgot whatever India had done to them during their underground days and instead cozied up with Beijing. Prachanda's Beijing trip was indeed a tight slap on Man Mohan Singh's face and this was taken very seriously by the South Block.
Thirdly, it now looks likely that nobody will side with India in the Nepali political spectrum as Delhi is left with no constituency inside Nepal. Everyone likes to join the bandwagon and anti-Indian phobia will be the politics of the country for some time to come. Even supposedly pro-Indian Upendra Yadav says that Nepal's foreign policy will be guided by equi-distance and it is now almost a consensus that Kathmandu wants to dump the 1950 treaty into the bins. Defence Minister Badal will be visiting Beijing and will be receiving a guard of honour from the real PLA thereby thwarting all efforts of the U.S., India and Britain for some role in the security sector reforms that the Prachanda government is likely to embark on. The new Home Minister, a famous anti-Indian at heart, whose son studied in China has in a single masterstroke massacred all pro-Indian police officers and hand-picked an IGP that is to retire in just over four months. This effectively means that the Indian influence even inside the Police is now on the wane. With anti-Indian fervor on the rise in the terai because of the Koshi floods and the Nepali Congress on the verge of a vertical split, New Delhi is worried of not only its Tibet operation but Nepal policy as a whole. The UPA government is no more tied with the Left parties and with the general elections just round the corner, the BJP too is furious with the disastrous handling of Nepal by the UPA government.
With Kathmandu on the lap of the Chinese, every major power is desperately seeking an alternate. But who can disturb this powerful coalition of left parties who have not only street presence but also the support of the peasants, the poor people, the youths of Kathmandu and now probably also the army and the police? The President cannot rock the boat, the Constitution is not even drafted, Koirala is too old while no other leader of courage has been groomed within the NC. This leaves the world's only Hindu monarch as the lone person able to balance all powers in Nepal and thereby steer the country out of the mess that it is in. He is a nationalist but his own daughter in law is a princess from Rajasthan. He has friendly ties with China but he is not anti-American. The monarchy can always be the emergency light while also the main backbone of democracy and stability of the country. Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood who inherited a completely chaotic Nepal policy from his two short-sighted predecessors will have to remember what he learnt in Afghanistan where the country is raging in a civil war ever since getting rid of King Zaheer Shah. It is no fault of his to face a public that hates India so much only because two ambassadors before him had kept the hay dry enough to be lighted by a single match-stick. Instead, both of them were rewarded with plum assignments which it is hoped will be 'comprehensively analyzed' by the new BJP government when it assumes office. But King Gyanendra will prove all the soothsayers right by being crowned for the third time and this is already written on the walls. If Delhi and Washington do not want to believe it, they can wait for the final outcome of the Defence Minister's official visit to China.
Ms. Koirala is an insurance executive based in Minnesota, USA and can be reached at preeti72koirala@hotmail.com2008-09-16 08:02:44
http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=4066
By all indications, it seems that India is fastly getting frustrated with the new dispensation in Kathmandu. The UPA government with the nudges from the Left had hoped that the Maoists would come to the mainstream and dance to its tunes which is why from 2002 onwards there is ample evidence that India's intelligence agencies were actively trying to bring Koirala and the Maoists together.
Shyam Saran who had close contacts with King Gyanendra resided in Kathmandu with a single purpose:- somehow pressure the King to sideline the parties so that he would naturally fall into the trap. Surya Bahadur Thapa was made Prime Minister precisely because of Saran's lobbying in 2003 despite of Madhav Nepal's natural contestation. Thapa became more loyal to Delhi than to the palace and he agreed to grant the Indian Embassy which no other foreign embassy had got from the Nepal government. It could now select, fund, implement 'development works' all along the Tarai belt without taking permissions from the National Planning Commission or the Finance Ministry.
No one knows how much money went to actually building schools and hospitals and how much was used for other sinister activities but this certainly provided the main basis for the Tarai agitation three years later. Saran's successor Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, toed Saran's line in ditto and despite of the King's repeated information to him that he was about to do what he did on Feb. 1st 2005; Mukherjee did not object to it during his audiences with the King because he too wanted the King to fall into the trap. The rest is history.
But why was India so desperately wanting to get rid of the world's only Hindu monarchy since such a long time? Nothing can explain this except for the fact that having achieved an average of 7-8 percent economic growth rate and having built a sizeable military, Delhi now wants to conduct a major operation in Tibet and take a revenge of 1962 with China. For this, Nepal is a natural launching pad as it has a virtual open border both with itself and with Tibet. A puppet regime, weak army and the police seemingly under its grip and all pro-Chinese institutions gone out of the scene, Delhi also influenced the U.S. to go in tandem on the 'Nepal Policy' that it had devised. Everything seemed to go well so much so that anti-China protests were witnessed on a daily basis in Kathmandu just before the Olympics.
But as soon as the anti-Hindi riots erupted in all major cities in Nepal, did Delhi suddenly got a rude shock? Nepalese people, staunchly nationalist as they are had acquired this new "craze" in the last two years of Koirala's hated rule to be anti-Indian. In fact, previous anti-Indian demos had also taken place during the time of Koirala's Prime Ministership. Then the Maoists who formed the government, all of a sudden forgot whatever India had done to them during their underground days and instead cozied up with Beijing. Prachanda's Beijing trip was indeed a tight slap on Man Mohan Singh's face and this was taken very seriously by the South Block.
Thirdly, it now looks likely that nobody will side with India in the Nepali political spectrum as Delhi is left with no constituency inside Nepal. Everyone likes to join the bandwagon and anti-Indian phobia will be the politics of the country for some time to come. Even supposedly pro-Indian Upendra Yadav says that Nepal's foreign policy will be guided by equi-distance and it is now almost a consensus that Kathmandu wants to dump the 1950 treaty into the bins. Defence Minister Badal will be visiting Beijing and will be receiving a guard of honour from the real PLA thereby thwarting all efforts of the U.S., India and Britain for some role in the security sector reforms that the Prachanda government is likely to embark on. The new Home Minister, a famous anti-Indian at heart, whose son studied in China has in a single masterstroke massacred all pro-Indian police officers and hand-picked an IGP that is to retire in just over four months. This effectively means that the Indian influence even inside the Police is now on the wane. With anti-Indian fervor on the rise in the terai because of the Koshi floods and the Nepali Congress on the verge of a vertical split, New Delhi is worried of not only its Tibet operation but Nepal policy as a whole. The UPA government is no more tied with the Left parties and with the general elections just round the corner, the BJP too is furious with the disastrous handling of Nepal by the UPA government.
With Kathmandu on the lap of the Chinese, every major power is desperately seeking an alternate. But who can disturb this powerful coalition of left parties who have not only street presence but also the support of the peasants, the poor people, the youths of Kathmandu and now probably also the army and the police? The President cannot rock the boat, the Constitution is not even drafted, Koirala is too old while no other leader of courage has been groomed within the NC. This leaves the world's only Hindu monarch as the lone person able to balance all powers in Nepal and thereby steer the country out of the mess that it is in. He is a nationalist but his own daughter in law is a princess from Rajasthan. He has friendly ties with China but he is not anti-American. The monarchy can always be the emergency light while also the main backbone of democracy and stability of the country. Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood who inherited a completely chaotic Nepal policy from his two short-sighted predecessors will have to remember what he learnt in Afghanistan where the country is raging in a civil war ever since getting rid of King Zaheer Shah. It is no fault of his to face a public that hates India so much only because two ambassadors before him had kept the hay dry enough to be lighted by a single match-stick. Instead, both of them were rewarded with plum assignments which it is hoped will be 'comprehensively analyzed' by the new BJP government when it assumes office. But King Gyanendra will prove all the soothsayers right by being crowned for the third time and this is already written on the walls. If Delhi and Washington do not want to believe it, they can wait for the final outcome of the Defence Minister's official visit to China.
Ms. Koirala is an insurance executive based in Minnesota, USA and can be reached at preeti72koirala@hotmail.com2008-09-16 08:02:44
'' दरबार हत्याकान्डमा सबैभन्दा पहिले मारिएका थिए दीपेन्द्र '' समाचार - पर्शुराम काफ्ले/नयाँ पत्रिका
'' दरबार हत्याकान्डमा सबैभन्दा पहिले मारिएका थिए :: नेपाल> दीपेन्द्र '' समाचार>> - पर्शुराम काफ्ले/नयाँ पत्रिका>>>> 'दरबार हत्याकान्डको बारेमा हिजो प्रकासित नयाँ पत्रीकामा छापिएको> यो समाचारको प्रती अहिले बजारमा नपुग भएको छ । त्यसैले हामी> अनलाइनमा उक्त पत्रीकाबाट सभार गरेका छौ'-समपादक>>>>>> नारायणहिटी हत्याकान्डका एक 'प्रत्यक्षदर्शी'ले दीपेन्द्र शाहको नकाव लगाएका > व्यक्तिले गोली> चलाएर वीरेन्द्रको वंशनाश गरेको दाबी गरेका छन् । १९ जेठ २०५८ मा > नारायणहिटीको त्रिभुवन> सदन (घटनास्थल) मा ड्युटीमा रहेका तत्कालीन सैनिक हवल्दार लालबहादुर लम्तेरी > मगरका अनुसार> हत्याराले पहिलो गोली नै दीपेन्द्रलाई हानेको थियो ।> दरबार हत्याकान्डको तीन महिनापछि हत्याको अभियोगमा मुद्दा चलेर अहिले नख्खु > कारागारमा> रहेका लम्तेरी मगरले गत साता नयाँ पत्रिकासित लामो कुराकानी गरे । उनले > यतिसम्म भने, '> दीपेन्द्रको ढाडमा ६ राउन्ड र बायाँ कन्चटमा एउटा ब्रस्ट फायर भएको हो ।'>>>> आफूलाई नेपाली> सेनाको> तत्कालीन> हवल्दार र> दरबार> हत्याकान्डका> प्रत्यक्षदर्शी> बताउने> लालबहादुर> लम्तेरी मगरको> बयान>>>> हरेक महिनाको अन्तिम शुक्रबार 'गुड फ्राइडे' मनाउने क्रममा त्यस रात (१९ जेठ > २०५८) भोजमा> सरिक तत्कालीन राजा वीरेन्द्रसहित उनको परिवारका पाँचैजना र नातेदारको पनि > हत्या भएको> थियो । सरकारले पहिले स्वचालित हतियार पड्किएको बताएको थियो भने पछि > दीपेन्द्रले गोली> चलाएर आफ्नै बाबु, आमा, भाइ र बहिनी मारेको प्रतिवेदन सार्वजनिक गरेको थियो ।> दीपेन्द्रले गोली चलाएका होइनन्, षड्यन्त्रपूर्वक वंश नै नाश गरेर > दीपेन्द्रलाई दोषी बनाइएको> हो भन्ने चर्चा जनमानसमा भए पनि घटनाका कुनै पनि प्रत्यक्षदर्शीले दीपेन्द्र > हत्यारा होइनन्> भनेर बयान दिएका थिएनन् । 'दीपेन्द्रले होइन, नकाव लगाएर उनको जस्तै अनुहार > बनाएको> हतियारधारीले' गोली चलाएको थियो भन्ने लम्तेरी घटनाको पहिलो 'प्रत्यक्षदर्शी' > हुन् । उनका> अनुसार नकावधारी तत्कालीन शाहजादा पारस शाहसँगै भित्र आएका थिए । 'भोज > चलिरहेको बेला> पारस गाडीमा बाहिरए,' लम्तेरीले भने, 'केहीबरेपछि त्यही गाडीमा दीपेन्द्रको > मुखुन्डोधारी> भित्र आएको हो ।'> लम्तेरीले घटना हुँदा दीपेन्द्र आफ्नै खोपीमा रहेको पनि बताए । 'मलाई नै थाहा > छ- दीपेन्द्र> सरकार नसा लागेर खोपीमा सुतेका थिए, नकावधारीले पहिलो गोली त्यहीँ चलाएका > हुन्, त्यसपछि> चारैतिरबाट गोली चल्यो, मचाहिँ केराघारीमा ल्यान्ड पोजिसनमा बसेर बचेँ ।'>> लम्तेरी मगरका अनुसार दीपेन्द्र आफ्नै खोपीमा मरेका हुन् । 'दुईजना एडिसीले > लास उठाएर सैनिक> प्रहरीको गाडीमा छाउनी पुर्याएका हुन् । दीपेन्द्र त्यतिबेलै मरिसकेका थिए,' > उनले भने ।> वीरेन्द्र र नीराजनको लास आफूले पनि उठाएको उनले बताए । 'मैले पनि वीरेन्द्र > र नीराजन> सरकारको लास उठाएको हुँ,' उनले भने, 'वीरेन्द्र सरकारको लास लिएर सैनिक > अस्पताल जानेमा म> पनि थिएँ । सैनिक प्रहरीको गाडीमा म पछाडि बसेको थिएँ । बाटोमा वीरेन्द्रले > सानो स्वरमा> दुख्यो, दुख्यो भनेको मैले सुनेको हुँ । अस्पताल पुगेपछि के भयो थाहा छैन ।'>> गोलीको वषर्ात्पछि सन्नाटा छाएको घटनास्थलमा पारस खालीखुट्टामै आएको उनले > बताए । 'ल अब> हस्पिटल लैजानुपर्यो भनेका थिए पारसले,' लम्तेरीले भने, 'पारस र उनका > परिवारलाई केही पनि> भएको थिएन ।'> खोपीमा सुतेका दीपेन्द्र त्यहीँ मारिएको देखेका लम्तेरीले पछि दीपेन्द्र नै > हत्यारा हुन् भन्दै> प्रतिवेदन आएपछि आश्चर्यमा परेको बताए । दीपेन्द्र निर्दोष हुन् भन्दै उनले > दरबारमा बिन्तीपत्र> पनि हालेका थिए । 'घटनाको साता दिनभित्रै जेठ २५ गते मसहित लेसनायक नरेन्द्र > थापामगर,> हवल्दार शिव कुँवर, नायक गुणबहादुर पुन र एउटा सिपाही भएर दरबारको प्रमुख > सचिवालयमा> बिन्तीपत्र हाल्यौं,' लम्तेरीले भने, 'हामीले बेनामी बिन्तीपत्रमा > दीपेन्द्रबाट घटना भएको> होइन, यसको निष्पक्ष छानबिन होस् भन्यौं ।'> आफ्नो अभिभावकजस्तो मान्छे दीपेन्द्र मारिएपछि 'त्यतिसम्मको दुस्साहस' गरेको > उनले बताए । तर> 'कतैबाट पोल खुलेपछि २९ जेठमै आफ्नै हाकिमहरूद्वारा समातिएको' उनले बताए । > 'पहिले दरबारमा> आतंक मच्चाएको भन्दै समातियो, पछि एउटा होटलमालिकलाई मारेको भन्ने झुटो केस > चलाएर मुद्दा> हालियो ।'>> आफू कलाकार पनि भएकोले दीपेन्द्रको प्यारो मान्छे भएको दाबी गर्दै उनले भने, > 'म सांगीतिक> क्षेत्रको मान्छे, बाजा बजाउन, नाच्न, गाउन र खेल खेल्न सधैं अघि सर्थें, > त्यसैले पनि दीपेन्द्र> सरकारका लागि म निकै प्यारो मान्छे थिएँ ।'> उनले दीपेन्द्रलाई मुड भएको बेला खोपीमै गएर गीत गाउने गरेको पनि बताए । 'गीत > सुन्नुपर्यो> भने त्यो डल्लुलाई बोलाऊ भन्ने हुकुम हुन्थ्यो । म खोपीमै जान्थें । गीत > सुनाएर खुसी पार्थें,' उनले> भने ।> उनका अनुसार संगीतकार प्रवीण गुरुङलाई गाडीले किचेर मारेको आरोपमा तत्कालीन > राजा> वीरेन्द्रले पारसलाई कारबाही गर्न खोजेका थिए । 'तर पारसको चुनौतीका कारण उनी > (वीरेन्द्र> ) पछि हटे,' उनले भने । लम्तेरी मगरका अनुसार प्रवीण गुरुङ मारिनुअघि > श्रुतिले चलाएको कारको> ठक्करले दरबारभित्रै तनहुँ घर भएका पुरानो गोरखगणका सिपाही मारिएका थिए । 'ऊ > ड्युटीमै> उभिएको बेला गाडीको ठक्करले मर्यो । पछि बाहिर तालिमका बेला एम्बुसमा परेर > मारियो भनेर> परिवारलाई क्षतिपूर्ति दिइयो ।' पारसले आफूलाई भन्दा अघि श्रुतिलाई कारबाही > गर्न> वीरेन्द्रलाई चुनौती दिएपछि वीरेन्द्र मत्थर भएको लम्तेरीले बताए ।>> दरबार हत्याकान्ड दीपेन्द्रले नगराएको भन्ने बिन्तीपत्र लेखेको चार दिनमा > पक्राउ गरिएका> लालबहादुर सोह्रखुट्टेस्थित आरामदायी लजका मालिक उत्तमराज पाण्डेको हत्या > अभियोगमा जेल> परेका हुन् । उनी जन्मकैदको सजाय नख्खु जेलमा बसेर भोगिरहेका> छन् । 'म निर्दोष छु,' उनले भने, 'मलाई जेल हाल्ने कुनै आधार थिएन, तर म > गरिबको छोरोलाई> कानुनले पत्याएन ।'> उनको मुद्दा हेरेका अधिवक्ता भूमिनन्द चुँडालले पनि लम्तेरी निर्दोष रहेको > जिकिर गरे । '> लालबहादुरलाई जेल हाल्नुपर्ने कुनै आधार छैन,' उनले नयाँ पत्रिकासँग भने, > 'उनलाई हत्याको> अभियोग लगाइएको छ, तर त्यसको कुनै पनि प्रमाण छैन । ऊ सफाइ पाउनुपर्ने मान्छे > हो ।'> नख्खु कारागारका जेलर चन्द्रप्रसाद देवकोटाले लालबहादुर कर्तव्य ज्यान > मुद्दामा जेलमा रहेको> बताए । देवकोटाका अनुसार उनी २ भदौ २०५८ देखि जेल छन् । जेलको रेकर्डअनुसार > लम्तेरी पुरानो> गोरखगणका सैनिक हुन् । लालबहादुरले आफूलाई सैनिक प्रहरीबाट नक्कली कागजात > बनाएर पुरानो> गोरखगणमा सरुवा मात्र होइन, घटुवा गरेर जेलमा हालिएका बताए ।>>>>>>>>> लम्तेरीको बयान>> म लालबहादुर लम्तेरी मगर, घर पाल्पाको ठिमुरे हो । २०४९ सालमा सेनामा भर्ती > भएर> दरबारको सैनिक प्रहरीमा काम गर्न थालेको हुँ ।> म खेलाडी पनि थिएँ, गीत-संगीतमा त च्याम्पियन । 'रोयल फेमिली'सँग एकदमै नजिक > । दीपेन्द्र> सरकारले मलाई यति माया गर्ने कि म कसरी भनौं ! कतिसम्म भने मेरी श्रीमती > डेलिभरी हुँदा> दीपेन्द्रबाट १० हजार रुपैयाँ बक्सिस प्रदान भएको थियो ।> दरबारमा काम गर्दा त मोजमस्ती थियो, खर्चको अभाव हुँदैनथ्यो । केही पर्यो भने > पैसा> पाइहाल्थें । दीपेन्द्र सरकारले त मलाई खोपीमै बोलाएर बाजा बजाउन लगाउने, > पैसा दिने, बडो> माया गर्ने ।> जागिर खाएको नौ वर्षमा मेरो जीवनमा ठूलो चोट पर्यो, मैले अनाहकमा दुःख पाएँ । > महिनाको> अन्तिम शुक्रबार शाही परिवारले जलपान गरेर 'गुड पmाइडे' मनाउने चलन थियो । > १९ जेठ २०५८> मा पनि जलपान आयोजना भयो दरबारमा । त्यो दिन म पनि बाहिरी ड्युटीमा थिएँ । > दौरा,> सुरुवाल, कोट र कालो टोपी लगाएर पेस्तोल भिरेर म ड्युटी गरिरहेको थिएँ । > त्यतिबेला मलाई> याद छ- नेपाल टेलिभिजनमा सन्तोष पन्तको 'हिजो आजका कुरा' कार्यक्रम आउँथ्यो ।>> अबेरसम्म जलपान भइरहेको थियो । त्यहीबीचमा पारस गाडीमा बाहिरिए । एकैछिनपछि > उनको> गाडीमा केही मान्छे भित्र छिरे, पारस पनि छिरे । यो दृश्य त्रिभुवन सदनमा > गार्ड बस्ने अरू> सैनिकले पनि देखेका छन् । त्यसपछि फायरिङको आवाज आयो ।> दीपेन्द्र सरकार नसाले लठ्ठ भएर आफ्नै खोपीमा सुतेको मलाई पनि थाहा छ । भित्र > जान> हामीलाई अनुमति थिएन । आदेशबिना दायाँबायाँ गर्न पनि नपाइने । दरबारको ड्युटी > फेरि निकै> कडा हुन्छ क्या ! मैले थाहा पाएँ, पहिलो फायर दीपेन्द्र सरकारको खोपीमा भयो । > त्यहाँ सात> फायर भएपछि त जलपान भएको ठाउँमा एकैचोटि गोली चल्यो । बाहिर पनि । > दीपेन्द्रको मुखुन्डो> लाएको हतियारधारीले गोली चलायो । वीरेन्द्रका परिवारलाई ताकी-ताकी हान्यो > उसले ।> दीपेन्द्रलाई त ब्रस्ट फायर भयो । बाहिरसमेत गोली चलेपछि ज्यान जोगाउन > मुस्किल भो । म> त्रिभुवन सदनअगाडि बगैंचामा लुकें ।>> गोली रोकिएपछि पारस खालीखुट्टा आइपुगे, खुट्टामा जुत्ता, चप्पल केही थिएन । > उनले> आउनेबित्तिकै भने- ल भाइ हो, हस्पिटल लानुपर्छ । त्यसपछि घाइते र लास उठाउन > थालियो । म> पनि लास उठाउन गएको थिएँ । मैले वीरेन्द्र सरकार र नीराजनलाई उठाएँ । > ऐश्वर्यको चिउँडो> छेडेर गोली चलेको रहेछ । चिउँडो त पंखामा झुन्डिएको रहेछ ।> अस्पताल जाँदासम्म सास भएको अवस्थामा वीरेन्द्र सरकार र श्रुति थिए । > धीरेन्द्रको बारेमा> मलाई थाहा भएन । वीरेन्द्रको मृत्यु भइसकेको थिएन । वीरेन्द्रलाई हालिएको > सैनिक प्रहरीको> गाडीमा पछाडि बसेर म पनि छाउनी अस्पताल गएको थिएँ । म सम्झिन्छु, अस्पताल > पुग्ने बेलासम्म> वीरेन्द्र दुख्यो, दुख्यो भनेर सानो स्वरमा भनिरहेका थिए ।> सैनिक अस्पताल पुर्याइए पनि वीरेन्द्र सरकारलाई तत्कालै उपचार गरिएन, > ऐश्वर्यको मुख नभएकोले> प्लास्टिक सर्जरी भयो । हामीले धेरै हेर्न पाएनौं । हामी त हाकिमको > आदेशअनुसार अस्पतालबाट> फक्र्यौं । त्यसपछि के गरियो थाहा भएन ।> मैले आफैं देखेको, दीपेन्द्रको पहिले नै हत्या भइसकेको थियो । तर, > दीपेन्द्रलाई दोषी बनाएपछि> मेरो मन धेरै रोयो । म र साथीहरूले जेठ २५ गते १२ बजेतिर बिन्तीपत्र तयार > गर्यौं र ४ बजेतिर> प्रमुख सचिवालयमा दर्ता गर्यौं । सायद हाम्रो रेकर्ड सचिवालयमा होला अहिले > पनि ।> बिन्तीपत्र हाल्नेमा म अगुवा थिएँ । बिन्तीपत्र दिनेमा लेसनायक नरेन्द्र > थापामगर, हवल्दार> शिव कुँवर, नायक गुणबहादुर पुन र अर्का एक सिपाही थियौं ।>> हामीले बिन्तीपत्र दिएपछि त त्यहाँ हलचल भएछ । हामीले भनेका थियौं- दरबार > हत्याकान्डमा> युवराज दीपेन्द्र सरकार दोषी होइनन् । पहिलो फायर नै उनीमाथि भएको हो । > त्यसकारण> निष्पक्ष छानबिन होस् ।> बिन्तीपत्र हालेको चार दिनमा दरबारमा आतंक मच्चाएको भन्दै मलाई पक्राउ गरियो > । २९ जेठमा> ड्युटी सकेर खाना खाएर कोठामा पल्टिन लाग्दा निर्मल निवास (सदन- हाम्रो > भाषामा) को> फौज आएर मलाई समात्यो ।> मलाई आँखामा कालोपट्टी बाँधेर क्वार्टर गार्डमा (हिरासतमा) राखियो । जबकि > मेरो दोष केही> पनि थिएन । आँखामा पट्टी बाँधेर नेपाली कागजहरूमा ल्याप्चे लगाउन लगाइयो ।> एक सातापछि मलाई हनुमानढोकामा लगेर बुझाइयो । त्यसपछि मलाई एक महिनाजति > झुलाइयो ।> कहिले सैनिक> हेडक्वार्टर, कहिले प्रहरी हेडक्वार्टर, कहिले कता लगेर एक महिना झुलाइयो ।> दरबारभित्रको सैनिक हिरासतमा रहँदा मलाई ल्याप्चे लगाउन लगाइयो । पछि थाहा > भयो, मलाई> पुरानो गोरखगणमा सरुवा गरेर सिपाहीमा घटुवा गरेको कागज बनाइएछ । र, सैनिक > प्रहरीमा> रहेको मेरो कागजात सबै खतम पारिएछ । एक महिनाअघि समातेर मलाई एक महिनापछि > भएको> घटनामा फसाइयो ।>> २ साउन २०५८ मा सोह्रखुट्टेको आरामदायी लजका मालिक उत्तमराज पाण्डेको हत्या > भएको रहेछ ।> मैले जेलमा बसेपछि सुनेअनुसार दरबारका एक क्याप्टेनले पाण्डेलाई गोली ठोकेर > मारेका रहेछन् ।> पाण्डे नवलपरासीका रहेछन् भन्ने मलाई फसाइएको नक्कली कागज हेरेर थाहा पाएँ । > तर, कुन केसमा> पाण्डेलाई किन मारियो भन्ने मलाई केही थाहा थिएन किनकि म त एक महिनाअघि नै > पक्राउ> परिसकेको थिएँ ।> मलाई ५ भदौ २०५८ मा पुर्पक्षका लागि भनेर जेल हालियो । जेलमा बसेर मुद्दा > लडें । सुरुमा> वकिल भूमिनन्द चुँडाल र पछि तारा खनालको सहयोग लिएँ । १३ फागुन २०६० मा > काठमाडौं> जिल्ला अदालतले मलाई दोषी ठहर गर्यो । र, म जेल परें ।> म हिरासतमा बस्दा शाही रक्षक बाहिनीका बाहिनीपति सुदर्शन खड्का, पारसका > हितैषी अनुप> सिंह मलाई भेट्न आइरहन्थे । उनीहरू भन्थे- दरबार तिमीप्रति पोजिटिभ छ । हामी > छुटाउन पहल> गरिरहेका छौँ ।> तर, दरबारले मेरो जिन्दगी बर्बाद बनाइदियो । बिन्तीपत्र हाल्ने मेरा > साथीहरूलाई पनि> समातियो भन्ने थाहा पाएँ, तर उनीहरू अहिले मरे-बाँचेको मलाई थाहा छैन ।> यो पनि लेखिदिनुस्- दरबार हत्याकान्डमा सैनिकहरू पनि मारिएका छन् । मलाई यकिन > विवरण त> छैन, तर छानबिन गरे थाहा हुन्छ । मारिएका परिवारलाई अरू केही वहानामा > क्षतिपूर्ति> दिइएको हुन सक्छ, तर हत्याकान्डमा सैनिक मारिएका छन् । सत्यतथ्य खोजी गर्ने > हो भने> पारसलाई समातेर बयान लिनुपर्छ । सबै कुरा थाहा हुन्छ । सरकारले चाहने हो भने > दरबार> हत्याकान्डको बारेमा निष्पक्ष छानबिन गर्न अझै पनि सक्छ ।
Friday, June 20, 2008
PM assures support to Nepal
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/PM_assures_support_to_Nepal_/articleshow/3118175.cms
NEW DELHI: As Nepal moves on the path of transition, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured it of continued Indian support for its economic development. Singh conveyed this to Nepalese Ambassador Durgesh Mansingh here when the latter called on him to express gratitude for Indian support. Issues related to the ongoing movement of Nepal towards democracy came up for discussions during the meeting, sources said. The Prime Minister hailed the recent Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal and expressed hope that the leadership of the Himalayan country would continue to display the wisdom in future also. India has appreciated Nepal's movement towards democracy and voiced readiness to extend all possible help in its development and progress. Singh's assurance came at a time when Nepal is set to see its first democratic government after abolition of 240-year-old Monarchy.
NEW DELHI: As Nepal moves on the path of transition, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured it of continued Indian support for its economic development. Singh conveyed this to Nepalese Ambassador Durgesh Mansingh here when the latter called on him to express gratitude for Indian support. Issues related to the ongoing movement of Nepal towards democracy came up for discussions during the meeting, sources said. The Prime Minister hailed the recent Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal and expressed hope that the leadership of the Himalayan country would continue to display the wisdom in future also. India has appreciated Nepal's movement towards democracy and voiced readiness to extend all possible help in its development and progress. Singh's assurance came at a time when Nepal is set to see its first democratic government after abolition of 240-year-old Monarchy.
Nepal's ex-king to leave palace on Wednesday: official
Jun 10, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYVBkgaDz4gF_2IRzxgtpkzwjcJQ
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Nepal's ex-king Gyanendra will leave his palace on Wednesday, a day before the expiry of a deadline set by a constitutional assembly which abolished the monarchy, a palace official said.
He is expected to move to a former hunting lodge on the outskirts of Kathmandu, with his palace in the heart of the city set to be turned into a museum.
"The (former) king will leave the palace on Wednesday, and before leaving he will hold a press conference," Phanindra Raj Pathak, the chief of the palace press secretariat told AFP Tuesday.
Nepal's monarchy was abolished on May 28 by the constitutional assembly, which was set up following a peace deal between Maoist insurgents and mainstream political parties.
The Maoists, who have told the king to bow out gracefully or else be put on trial, welcomed the news.
"It's a very positive step that the king has peacefully accepted the decision to vacate the palace. We are thankful to him," Krishna Bahadur Mahara, spokesman for the former rebels, told AFP.
"It has started a new era for peaceful political transition, and we honour his decision to live as a common citizen."
The precise time of the former king's press conference has yet to be decided the palace official said, adding that it would probably be Wednesday evening.
Earlier this week, officials who were conducting an audit of palace property complained that the ex-monarch had failed to hand over the country's jewel-encrusted crown, but the palace official said the national treasure would be handed over before Gyanendra leaves Wednesday.
"Of course he will hand over the crown before leaving," said Pathak, the palace press official.
"How can he take away the crown and sceptre when he is peacefully exiting the palace and giving up all of his royal privileges?"
The ex-monarch has been granted temporary permission to stay in a palace in Nagarjun, close to the capital, and the government of the newly republican country will continue to provide security, a home ministry spokesman said.
"The former king and queen will have 75 security personnel based in Nagarjun palace for their protection, fifty from the armed police and 25 from the army," Modraj Dottel, home ministry spokesman told AFP.
"We will give him extra security to escort him to his new residence on Wednesday if he requests it," said Dottel.
Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 after a palace massacre in which the then crown prince -- who was drunk and on drugs and furious at being prevented from marrying the woman he loved -- killed most of the family and himself.
Gyanendra went on to sack the government and take direct control of the impoverished Himalayan nation, claiming the move was needed because politicians were inept and corrupt and had failed to tackle a Maoist insurgency.
The move pushed the mainstream parties and rebels into an alliance that led to a peace deal in late 2006 and the abolition of the monarchy last month.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iYVBkgaDz4gF_2IRzxgtpkzwjcJQ
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Nepal's ex-king Gyanendra will leave his palace on Wednesday, a day before the expiry of a deadline set by a constitutional assembly which abolished the monarchy, a palace official said.
He is expected to move to a former hunting lodge on the outskirts of Kathmandu, with his palace in the heart of the city set to be turned into a museum.
"The (former) king will leave the palace on Wednesday, and before leaving he will hold a press conference," Phanindra Raj Pathak, the chief of the palace press secretariat told AFP Tuesday.
Nepal's monarchy was abolished on May 28 by the constitutional assembly, which was set up following a peace deal between Maoist insurgents and mainstream political parties.
The Maoists, who have told the king to bow out gracefully or else be put on trial, welcomed the news.
"It's a very positive step that the king has peacefully accepted the decision to vacate the palace. We are thankful to him," Krishna Bahadur Mahara, spokesman for the former rebels, told AFP.
"It has started a new era for peaceful political transition, and we honour his decision to live as a common citizen."
The precise time of the former king's press conference has yet to be decided the palace official said, adding that it would probably be Wednesday evening.
Earlier this week, officials who were conducting an audit of palace property complained that the ex-monarch had failed to hand over the country's jewel-encrusted crown, but the palace official said the national treasure would be handed over before Gyanendra leaves Wednesday.
"Of course he will hand over the crown before leaving," said Pathak, the palace press official.
"How can he take away the crown and sceptre when he is peacefully exiting the palace and giving up all of his royal privileges?"
The ex-monarch has been granted temporary permission to stay in a palace in Nagarjun, close to the capital, and the government of the newly republican country will continue to provide security, a home ministry spokesman said.
"The former king and queen will have 75 security personnel based in Nagarjun palace for their protection, fifty from the armed police and 25 from the army," Modraj Dottel, home ministry spokesman told AFP.
"We will give him extra security to escort him to his new residence on Wednesday if he requests it," said Dottel.
Gyanendra ascended the throne in June 2001 after a palace massacre in which the then crown prince -- who was drunk and on drugs and furious at being prevented from marrying the woman he loved -- killed most of the family and himself.
Gyanendra went on to sack the government and take direct control of the impoverished Himalayan nation, claiming the move was needed because politicians were inept and corrupt and had failed to tackle a Maoist insurgency.
The move pushed the mainstream parties and rebels into an alliance that led to a peace deal in late 2006 and the abolition of the monarchy last month.
Book Review - Nebulous Newness in Nepal
June 11, 2008 at 06:59:22 Review: Nebulous Newness In Nepal
by Ramesh Prasad Page 1 of 2 page(s) http://www.opednews.com
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The Raj Lives: India In Nepal
By Sanjay Upadhya
Vitasta Publishing Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
350 Pages; Hardbound Edition: 2008
ISBN: 81-89766-73-2
Price: Indian Rs. 645
The abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy in Nepal has come as a relief to those Indians disenchanted by successive kings’ hostility toward India. Indeed, the dominant theme of the history of India’s relations with its northern neighbor revolves around how Nepali kings took every opportunity to antagonize India.
At bilateral forums, Kathmandu always pressed demands without scant regard for India’s sensitivities. At multilateral forums, Nepal consistently ganged up with governments hostile to New Delhi. Nepal’s voting record in the United Nations was consistently against India’s foreign policy interests.
New Delhi compounded its problems by creating the perception among ordinary Nepalis that it was backing the palace. When King Gyanendra seized power in early 2005, touching off one of the worst crises in bilateral relations, there was a belief in a sizeable constituency in Nepal that he had actually done so at the instigation of India. When New Delhi mediated an alliance the following year between the Maoist rebels and the mainstream parties for the restoration of democracy, Kathmandu seethed with suspicion that this was another Indian ploy to extract concessions from the palace. In essence, India lost both ways in Nepal.
Now New Delhi has wisely sided with the Nepali people. The Maoist victory in the recent elections came as a surprise to Indian policymakers, but they have prudently engaged with the former rebels. An opportunity for a new beginning beckons both nations. Yet India must not underestimate the challenge it faces from across a vast and unregulated border.
A new book, “The Raj Lives: India In Nepal,” provides important pointers to India. Essentially a compendium of longstanding Nepali grievances against India – and the British colonial rulers – the book’s principal strength lies in its portrayal of the depth of “anti-Indianism” in Nepal. The author, Sanjay Upadhya, a Nepali journalist, has shown how political parties, including traditionally India-friendly organizations like the Nepali Congress, have tapped into this psychology for electoral gains. From this book, it seems the political atmosphere has been vitiated to the point where it is immaterial who or what system governs Nepal.
The Maoists present the most conspicuous challenge. They have made a comparatively smooth transition from a bloody armed insurgency to the democratic mainstream. The Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninists), among other parties, continue to voice skepticism over their true intentions. The Maoists, it must not be forgotten, had launched their uprising on a 40-point charter that began with purely anti-Indian demands.
In power, they have now moderated their stance on the controversial 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Indian officials, to their credit, have expressed their readiness to revisit the treaty in line with Nepali grievances. In interviews with Indian media organizations, Maoist chairman Prachanda has made conciliatory statements vis-à-vis India. Back home, he tends to strike a different posture. Some of this may be attributed to the continuing process of the former rebels’ adjustment to democracy. Still, India cannot afford to lower its guard, especially considering our own Naxal insurgency.
One important reason, as Upadhya explains, is that the Maoists have strengthened their relations with the Chinese. During the 10-year-old insurgency, the monarchy, the mainstream parties as well as China accused India of aiding and abetting the uprising. The Nepali rebels undoubtedly used their relations with Naxalites and other Indian insurgent groups to seek safe haven on Indian soil.
New Delhi, in reality, offered the palace and parties political and military support to fight the insurgency. India captured top Maoist leaders and countless lower rank functionaries and deported them to Nepal. Those with cases pending locally were kept under the Indian judicial system. Still, the notion that India actively trained and armed the Nepali rebels, ludicrous as it may have sounded this side of the border, took hold in Nepal and continues to this day.
After the collapse of royal rule, the Chinese moved steadily to improve ties with the Maoists. As Nepali parties squabbled over the kind of government that should replace the monarchy, a senior Maoist minister visited China. Although the minister, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, sought to explain away the visit as routine, the timing clearly indicates it was anything but.
Another source of concern for India is the United States. As Deb Mukherji, a former Indian ambassador in Kathmandu, pointed out at a recent seminar, Washington’s growing influence in Nepal – more than India’s role – could alienate China. This, according to Mukherji, could exacerbate New Delhi’s woes in the long run. The United States has built an ultra-modern embassy in Kathmandu, signaling its long-term interests in Nepal.
In some ways, India and China have created a quiet arrangement whereby Beijing has conceded New Delhi’s predominant role in Nepal, given the common religious, cultural and social heritage. It is when China has felt its interests threatened, such as the growing American military engagement with the palace in the prelude to the royal coup, that Beijing has reacted more aggressively. India must calibrate its Nepal policy independent of other governments, in tandem with Nepali aspirations and in cognizance of its broad range of interests.
The pro-Tibet demonstrations in Kathmandu over the last two months may have shifted the Nepali mindset. The manner in which the Chinese embassy virtually ordered the Nepali government to crack down on the protesters did not go down well with ordinary Nepalis. As a result, a nation committed to building a new democratic structure came under heavy criticism from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international organizations for its “autocratic” tendencies.
The fact that the Chinese were so aggressive in asserting their interests may allow Nepalis to understand India in a new light. How new, of course, would depend on India.
by Ramesh Prasad Page 1 of 2 page(s) http://www.opednews.com
document.write ('" target=_blank>
The Raj Lives: India In Nepal
By Sanjay Upadhya
Vitasta Publishing Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
350 Pages; Hardbound Edition: 2008
ISBN: 81-89766-73-2
Price: Indian Rs. 645
The abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy in Nepal has come as a relief to those Indians disenchanted by successive kings’ hostility toward India. Indeed, the dominant theme of the history of India’s relations with its northern neighbor revolves around how Nepali kings took every opportunity to antagonize India.
At bilateral forums, Kathmandu always pressed demands without scant regard for India’s sensitivities. At multilateral forums, Nepal consistently ganged up with governments hostile to New Delhi. Nepal’s voting record in the United Nations was consistently against India’s foreign policy interests.
New Delhi compounded its problems by creating the perception among ordinary Nepalis that it was backing the palace. When King Gyanendra seized power in early 2005, touching off one of the worst crises in bilateral relations, there was a belief in a sizeable constituency in Nepal that he had actually done so at the instigation of India. When New Delhi mediated an alliance the following year between the Maoist rebels and the mainstream parties for the restoration of democracy, Kathmandu seethed with suspicion that this was another Indian ploy to extract concessions from the palace. In essence, India lost both ways in Nepal.
Now New Delhi has wisely sided with the Nepali people. The Maoist victory in the recent elections came as a surprise to Indian policymakers, but they have prudently engaged with the former rebels. An opportunity for a new beginning beckons both nations. Yet India must not underestimate the challenge it faces from across a vast and unregulated border.
A new book, “The Raj Lives: India In Nepal,” provides important pointers to India. Essentially a compendium of longstanding Nepali grievances against India – and the British colonial rulers – the book’s principal strength lies in its portrayal of the depth of “anti-Indianism” in Nepal. The author, Sanjay Upadhya, a Nepali journalist, has shown how political parties, including traditionally India-friendly organizations like the Nepali Congress, have tapped into this psychology for electoral gains. From this book, it seems the political atmosphere has been vitiated to the point where it is immaterial who or what system governs Nepal.
The Maoists present the most conspicuous challenge. They have made a comparatively smooth transition from a bloody armed insurgency to the democratic mainstream. The Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninists), among other parties, continue to voice skepticism over their true intentions. The Maoists, it must not be forgotten, had launched their uprising on a 40-point charter that began with purely anti-Indian demands.
In power, they have now moderated their stance on the controversial 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Indian officials, to their credit, have expressed their readiness to revisit the treaty in line with Nepali grievances. In interviews with Indian media organizations, Maoist chairman Prachanda has made conciliatory statements vis-à-vis India. Back home, he tends to strike a different posture. Some of this may be attributed to the continuing process of the former rebels’ adjustment to democracy. Still, India cannot afford to lower its guard, especially considering our own Naxal insurgency.
One important reason, as Upadhya explains, is that the Maoists have strengthened their relations with the Chinese. During the 10-year-old insurgency, the monarchy, the mainstream parties as well as China accused India of aiding and abetting the uprising. The Nepali rebels undoubtedly used their relations with Naxalites and other Indian insurgent groups to seek safe haven on Indian soil.
New Delhi, in reality, offered the palace and parties political and military support to fight the insurgency. India captured top Maoist leaders and countless lower rank functionaries and deported them to Nepal. Those with cases pending locally were kept under the Indian judicial system. Still, the notion that India actively trained and armed the Nepali rebels, ludicrous as it may have sounded this side of the border, took hold in Nepal and continues to this day.
After the collapse of royal rule, the Chinese moved steadily to improve ties with the Maoists. As Nepali parties squabbled over the kind of government that should replace the monarchy, a senior Maoist minister visited China. Although the minister, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, sought to explain away the visit as routine, the timing clearly indicates it was anything but.
Another source of concern for India is the United States. As Deb Mukherji, a former Indian ambassador in Kathmandu, pointed out at a recent seminar, Washington’s growing influence in Nepal – more than India’s role – could alienate China. This, according to Mukherji, could exacerbate New Delhi’s woes in the long run. The United States has built an ultra-modern embassy in Kathmandu, signaling its long-term interests in Nepal.
In some ways, India and China have created a quiet arrangement whereby Beijing has conceded New Delhi’s predominant role in Nepal, given the common religious, cultural and social heritage. It is when China has felt its interests threatened, such as the growing American military engagement with the palace in the prelude to the royal coup, that Beijing has reacted more aggressively. India must calibrate its Nepal policy independent of other governments, in tandem with Nepali aspirations and in cognizance of its broad range of interests.
The pro-Tibet demonstrations in Kathmandu over the last two months may have shifted the Nepali mindset. The manner in which the Chinese embassy virtually ordered the Nepali government to crack down on the protesters did not go down well with ordinary Nepalis. As a result, a nation committed to building a new democratic structure came under heavy criticism from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other international organizations for its “autocratic” tendencies.
The fact that the Chinese were so aggressive in asserting their interests may allow Nepalis to understand India in a new light. How new, of course, would depend on India.
SC again defers parliamentary decision on writ challenging CA decision
http://www.nepalnews.com:80/archive/2008/jun/jun20/news11.php
The Supreme Court (SC) has again deferred the preliminary decision on the writ challenging the legitimacy of the decision by the Constituent Assembly (CA) to implement republic.
For the second time in a week, the SC has deferred passing a preliminary decision on the writ. It has now stated that the decision on the issue would be taken on Sunday.
The SC division bench comprising of judge Damodar Sharma was to pass a preliminary decision on the writ on last Sunday but it decided to defer the same till today and again today it decided to defer the decision till June 22.
The writ filed by one Ram Kumar Ojha has demanded that the CA decision be annulled stating that the incomplete CA - as the government has not yet nominated 26 members of the 601-member strong CA envisaged by the constitution – could not take the decision.
"Today the bench did not even take up the issue and it simply deferred it till Sunday," said Ojha.
The initial hearing of the case had been completed ten days ago. nepalnews.com sd Jun 20 08
The Supreme Court (SC) has again deferred the preliminary decision on the writ challenging the legitimacy of the decision by the Constituent Assembly (CA) to implement republic.
For the second time in a week, the SC has deferred passing a preliminary decision on the writ. It has now stated that the decision on the issue would be taken on Sunday.
The SC division bench comprising of judge Damodar Sharma was to pass a preliminary decision on the writ on last Sunday but it decided to defer the same till today and again today it decided to defer the decision till June 22.
The writ filed by one Ram Kumar Ojha has demanded that the CA decision be annulled stating that the incomplete CA - as the government has not yet nominated 26 members of the 601-member strong CA envisaged by the constitution – could not take the decision.
"Today the bench did not even take up the issue and it simply deferred it till Sunday," said Ojha.
The initial hearing of the case had been completed ten days ago. nepalnews.com sd Jun 20 08
Indian Mission in Nepal : Interference and Instability
http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=3575
TGW India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood met with Mr. Kamal Thapa-the president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa- the president of the Rastriya Janashakti Party on June 11, 2008, say reports.
Rakesh Sood met with both the Thapas secretly, writes Road Map weekly-dated June 13, 2008, further.
“Rakesh Sood’s meet with Surya Bahadur Thapa does not bear that much significance because since his hay day in Nepali politics, Surya Bahadur is considered as the real man of the Indian establishment perhaps more trusted partner Thapa is to India than the India born incumbent Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala”, say analyst.
“However, Sood’s secret meet with Kamal Thapa- a staunch royalist, does hint that India possibly is playing double in Nepal in order to provoke the royalists to destabilize the county in the days ahead”, add analysts.
A report published in a vernacular weekly last week had it that RSS (Rastriya Swyam Sevak Sangatha)-India’s Hindu Fundamentalist outfit, had drafted a “Nepal Plan”- that was later submitted to the government of India through the BJP(Bharatiya Janata Party)---which have been already endorsed by the India’s proxy Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh. The report adds that the RSS Proposal has been forwarded to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Indian ambassador to Nepal will now on make his moves as per the RSS proposal.
“The RSS proposal mainly focuses on downsizing the Maoists by not allowing them to form the next government in Nepal”, the Jan Aastha Weekly wrote this Wednesday 11 June, 08.
Thus, say analysts, India’s ambassador meeting Kamal Thapa who is visibly leading the defeated forces-read the royalists, in Nepal is some how or the other linked to the RSS Proposal of tapping the ex-royalists and the Hindu fundamentalists of Nepal to destabilize the county further.
Be that as it may, the Road Map Weekly making further revelation writes: “after a secret meet between the Maoists’ leadership with India’s former ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Krishna V. Rajan ( concurrently deputy to India’s national security advisor M.K. Narayanan) whose fresh Nepal trip was kept a guarded secret-the Maoists had shown some flexibility-which they did by giving up their demand for the president, awarding for free the Nagarjun Palace for ex-King Gyanendra and Narayanhiti Palace for his Mother Ratna.
On the other hand, reports are also that India’s communist leaders led by none other than Sita Ram Yechuri are trying to pressurize the Indian government to not create hurdles for Comrade Pushpa Kamal Dahal to be elevated as the first president of the republic of Nepal.
This does mean that the Indian tentacles have already spread in Nepal. The Indian mission is to “destabilize” Nepal ad infinitum. It also becomes clear that the Indian establishment will create Himalayan problems when the Maoists come to assume power in Singh Durbar.
TGW India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood met with Mr. Kamal Thapa-the president of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa- the president of the Rastriya Janashakti Party on June 11, 2008, say reports.
Rakesh Sood met with both the Thapas secretly, writes Road Map weekly-dated June 13, 2008, further.
“Rakesh Sood’s meet with Surya Bahadur Thapa does not bear that much significance because since his hay day in Nepali politics, Surya Bahadur is considered as the real man of the Indian establishment perhaps more trusted partner Thapa is to India than the India born incumbent Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala”, say analyst.
“However, Sood’s secret meet with Kamal Thapa- a staunch royalist, does hint that India possibly is playing double in Nepal in order to provoke the royalists to destabilize the county in the days ahead”, add analysts.
A report published in a vernacular weekly last week had it that RSS (Rastriya Swyam Sevak Sangatha)-India’s Hindu Fundamentalist outfit, had drafted a “Nepal Plan”- that was later submitted to the government of India through the BJP(Bharatiya Janata Party)---which have been already endorsed by the India’s proxy Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh. The report adds that the RSS Proposal has been forwarded to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Indian ambassador to Nepal will now on make his moves as per the RSS proposal.
“The RSS proposal mainly focuses on downsizing the Maoists by not allowing them to form the next government in Nepal”, the Jan Aastha Weekly wrote this Wednesday 11 June, 08.
Thus, say analysts, India’s ambassador meeting Kamal Thapa who is visibly leading the defeated forces-read the royalists, in Nepal is some how or the other linked to the RSS Proposal of tapping the ex-royalists and the Hindu fundamentalists of Nepal to destabilize the county further.
Be that as it may, the Road Map Weekly making further revelation writes: “after a secret meet between the Maoists’ leadership with India’s former ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Krishna V. Rajan ( concurrently deputy to India’s national security advisor M.K. Narayanan) whose fresh Nepal trip was kept a guarded secret-the Maoists had shown some flexibility-which they did by giving up their demand for the president, awarding for free the Nagarjun Palace for ex-King Gyanendra and Narayanhiti Palace for his Mother Ratna.
On the other hand, reports are also that India’s communist leaders led by none other than Sita Ram Yechuri are trying to pressurize the Indian government to not create hurdles for Comrade Pushpa Kamal Dahal to be elevated as the first president of the republic of Nepal.
This does mean that the Indian tentacles have already spread in Nepal. The Indian mission is to “destabilize” Nepal ad infinitum. It also becomes clear that the Indian establishment will create Himalayan problems when the Maoists come to assume power in Singh Durbar.
Royal Flag comes down at nepal palace
May 29, 2008
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iP4mLXgRxreSbV0C3XfseE42u2JA
KATHMANDU (AFP) — The royal flag was taken down from Nepal's royal palace Thursday as the Himalayan nation celebrated a vote consigning its centuries-old monarchy to the history books and declaring a republic.
The country was marking late Wednesday's decision by a Maoist-dominated constitutional assembly with a two-day public holiday, and King Gyanendra -- facing a two-week deadline to leave -- was said to be packing his bags.
"The royal flag was replaced by Nepal's national flag inside the palace," a palace source said. "The flag has been changed as part of the government decision to implement a republic."
In a landmark vote capping a peace accord between the Maoists and mainstream parties, lawmakers voted just before midnight on Wednesday to abolish the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and establish a secular republic.
They also ordered that the main palace in Kathmandu be turned into a museum.
Nepal's army, long seen as a bastion of royal support, said it will respect the verdict of the assembly.
According to prominent royal watcher Kishore Shrestha, the editor of the Nepali-language weekly newspaper Jana Aastha, the king was packing up and could move to a royal lodge on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Friday.
Some revellers tried to celebrate near the palace, but were beaten back by police who have kept the area sealed off for several days. At least five people, including one police officer, were injured in the skirmishes.
The Maoists, clear winners of last month's elections to the constitutional assembly, waged a decade of war to overthrow what they view as a backward, caste-ridden structure that kept most of Nepal's 29 million people living in poverty .
They have repeatedly warned Gyanendra he faces "strong punishment" if he refuses to bow out gracefully.
"It's a great day for Nepal," said Damodar Mainali, 20, a Kathmandu resident celebrating the radical change for the impoverished country. "The new Nepal belongs to people like me."
Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Nepal was now free of "feudal tradition," and promised "a radical social and economic transformation."
Many ordinary Nepalese are delighted to see the back of the dour, unpopular king as well as his son and would-be heir, Paras -- notorious for his playboy lifestyle.
Gyanendra ascended the throne amid grief and suspicion in 2001 after most of the royal family was slain in a palace massacre by the then crown prince, Dipendra.
Dipendra, who had been forbidden from marrying the woman he loved, gunned down his parents, the king and queen, and seven other royals before apparently turning the gun on himself.
Gyanendra was at the centre of many conspiracy theories linking him to the killings, and his unpopularity only deepened when he sacked the government and embarked on a period of autocratic rule in early 2005.
"There was no development under the monarchy," said Prakash Karki, 26, a Kathmandu businessman. "There will be now that the people will run the country."
The vote in the 601-member assembly to abolish the monarch was opposed by just four lawmakers.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the vote, saying Nepalese "have clearly spoken for peace and change."
Britain also approved, with Foreign Office Minister Lord Mark Malloch-Brown calling it "another step towards the democratic and stable future that the people of Nepal justly deserve."
Though the United States continues to list the former rebels as a foreign "terrorist" organisation, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum just returned from Kathmandu after meeting Maoist chief Prachanda.
"There has been a policy that we had of not making contact with the Maoists. The fact that (US ambassador to Nepal) Nancy Powell met them and that I met them should suggest to you that we have just revised that policy with respect to this group," Feigenbaum said.
Not all were as welcoming. A leading Hindu group in Nepal threatened protests to prevent what they said would undermine the neutrality and unity of a country wedged between China and India.
"Monarchy and Hinduism are necessary so that the country does not fragment," said Hem Bahadur Karki, head of the World Hindu Federation.
Many remain wary of the Maoists, whose loyalists are regularly accused of using violence and intimidation.
"Whenever I go out there's a bomb blast, a strike or a demonstration. These are the daily worries," said Kathmandu shopkeeper Seema Pradhan, 25. "I hope they will be able to make things better."
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iP4mLXgRxreSbV0C3XfseE42u2JA
KATHMANDU (AFP) — The royal flag was taken down from Nepal's royal palace Thursday as the Himalayan nation celebrated a vote consigning its centuries-old monarchy to the history books and declaring a republic.
The country was marking late Wednesday's decision by a Maoist-dominated constitutional assembly with a two-day public holiday, and King Gyanendra -- facing a two-week deadline to leave -- was said to be packing his bags.
"The royal flag was replaced by Nepal's national flag inside the palace," a palace source said. "The flag has been changed as part of the government decision to implement a republic."
In a landmark vote capping a peace accord between the Maoists and mainstream parties, lawmakers voted just before midnight on Wednesday to abolish the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and establish a secular republic.
They also ordered that the main palace in Kathmandu be turned into a museum.
Nepal's army, long seen as a bastion of royal support, said it will respect the verdict of the assembly.
According to prominent royal watcher Kishore Shrestha, the editor of the Nepali-language weekly newspaper Jana Aastha, the king was packing up and could move to a royal lodge on the outskirts of Kathmandu on Friday.
Some revellers tried to celebrate near the palace, but were beaten back by police who have kept the area sealed off for several days. At least five people, including one police officer, were injured in the skirmishes.
The Maoists, clear winners of last month's elections to the constitutional assembly, waged a decade of war to overthrow what they view as a backward, caste-ridden structure that kept most of Nepal's 29 million people living in poverty .
They have repeatedly warned Gyanendra he faces "strong punishment" if he refuses to bow out gracefully.
"It's a great day for Nepal," said Damodar Mainali, 20, a Kathmandu resident celebrating the radical change for the impoverished country. "The new Nepal belongs to people like me."
Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara said Nepal was now free of "feudal tradition," and promised "a radical social and economic transformation."
Many ordinary Nepalese are delighted to see the back of the dour, unpopular king as well as his son and would-be heir, Paras -- notorious for his playboy lifestyle.
Gyanendra ascended the throne amid grief and suspicion in 2001 after most of the royal family was slain in a palace massacre by the then crown prince, Dipendra.
Dipendra, who had been forbidden from marrying the woman he loved, gunned down his parents, the king and queen, and seven other royals before apparently turning the gun on himself.
Gyanendra was at the centre of many conspiracy theories linking him to the killings, and his unpopularity only deepened when he sacked the government and embarked on a period of autocratic rule in early 2005.
"There was no development under the monarchy," said Prakash Karki, 26, a Kathmandu businessman. "There will be now that the people will run the country."
The vote in the 601-member assembly to abolish the monarch was opposed by just four lawmakers.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the vote, saying Nepalese "have clearly spoken for peace and change."
Britain also approved, with Foreign Office Minister Lord Mark Malloch-Brown calling it "another step towards the democratic and stable future that the people of Nepal justly deserve."
Though the United States continues to list the former rebels as a foreign "terrorist" organisation, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum just returned from Kathmandu after meeting Maoist chief Prachanda.
"There has been a policy that we had of not making contact with the Maoists. The fact that (US ambassador to Nepal) Nancy Powell met them and that I met them should suggest to you that we have just revised that policy with respect to this group," Feigenbaum said.
Not all were as welcoming. A leading Hindu group in Nepal threatened protests to prevent what they said would undermine the neutrality and unity of a country wedged between China and India.
"Monarchy and Hinduism are necessary so that the country does not fragment," said Hem Bahadur Karki, head of the World Hindu Federation.
Many remain wary of the Maoists, whose loyalists are regularly accused of using violence and intimidation.
"Whenever I go out there's a bomb blast, a strike or a demonstration. These are the daily worries," said Kathmandu shopkeeper Seema Pradhan, 25. "I hope they will be able to make things better."
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200805221940.htm
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200805221940.htm
Kathmandu (PTI): A global pro-Hindu organisation has threatened to organise a massive protest at the site of the key Constituent Assembly meet on May 28 to step up pressure on the political parties in Nepal to hold a referendum on the abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy.
The World Hindu Federation (WHF) has demanded a referendum before the abolition of the monarchy and asked the political parties to restore Nepal as a Hindu state, failing which it has threatened to stage a sit-in at the Birendra International Convention Centre on May 28, when the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly is expected to declare Nepal a republic by abolishing the centuries old monarchy.
The only Hindu nation in the world, Nepal was declared a secular state two years ago shortly after the restoration of democracy through the 'peoples' movement' in 2006 that sliced the powers of King Gyanendra.
"The political parties of Nepal have committed a blunder by declaring the world's only Hindu kingdom into a secular nation and it has posed a big challenge to all the Hindus of the world," said WHF International President Hem Bahadur Karki at a press meet here.
"We will organise an intensified non-violent movement beginning from May 28 till our demand for restoring Nepal as a Hindu nation is fulfilled," he noted.
Karki also demanded that some role should be alloted to the monarchy instead of completely abolishing the institution.
The WHF chief stressed that "Either ceremonial or cultural monarchy should be retained in order to maintain national unity" in the country. "There should be a referendum on whether monarchy should be abolished and whether Nepal should remain a secular state or restored as a Hindu nation," Karki observed.
Karki said the eighth general council meeting of the WHF held at Devipatan in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on April 27, 2008, "had passed a resolution condemning the unconstitutional and illegitimate decision by the interim Parliament of Nepal to declare the only Hindu kingdom of the world as a secular state".
"The 8th convention also authorised (the body WHF) to go to any extent to accomplish the goal of restoring Nepal into a Hindu kingdom," the chief of the WHF added.
The special assembly was the main demand of Nepal's political parties and the fiercely republican Maoists, who teamed up in April 2006 and orchestrated weeks of protests and unrest that resulted in King Gyanendra giving up dictatorial powers he had seized the year before.
Gyanendra was crowned king seven years ago in June 2001 after the killing of King Birendra and his family members, for which an official probe commission had held crown prince Dipendra, who committed suicide after the tragedy, responsible.
In a week from now, King Gyanendra will most probably be reduced to the status of an ordinary citizen as the special assembly will endorse the parliamentary motion to declare Nepal a republic and abolish the centuries old monarchy.
Kathmandu (PTI): A global pro-Hindu organisation has threatened to organise a massive protest at the site of the key Constituent Assembly meet on May 28 to step up pressure on the political parties in Nepal to hold a referendum on the abolition of the 240-year-old monarchy.
The World Hindu Federation (WHF) has demanded a referendum before the abolition of the monarchy and asked the political parties to restore Nepal as a Hindu state, failing which it has threatened to stage a sit-in at the Birendra International Convention Centre on May 28, when the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly is expected to declare Nepal a republic by abolishing the centuries old monarchy.
The only Hindu nation in the world, Nepal was declared a secular state two years ago shortly after the restoration of democracy through the 'peoples' movement' in 2006 that sliced the powers of King Gyanendra.
"The political parties of Nepal have committed a blunder by declaring the world's only Hindu kingdom into a secular nation and it has posed a big challenge to all the Hindus of the world," said WHF International President Hem Bahadur Karki at a press meet here.
"We will organise an intensified non-violent movement beginning from May 28 till our demand for restoring Nepal as a Hindu nation is fulfilled," he noted.
Karki also demanded that some role should be alloted to the monarchy instead of completely abolishing the institution.
The WHF chief stressed that "Either ceremonial or cultural monarchy should be retained in order to maintain national unity" in the country. "There should be a referendum on whether monarchy should be abolished and whether Nepal should remain a secular state or restored as a Hindu nation," Karki observed.
Karki said the eighth general council meeting of the WHF held at Devipatan in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on April 27, 2008, "had passed a resolution condemning the unconstitutional and illegitimate decision by the interim Parliament of Nepal to declare the only Hindu kingdom of the world as a secular state".
"The 8th convention also authorised (the body WHF) to go to any extent to accomplish the goal of restoring Nepal into a Hindu kingdom," the chief of the WHF added.
The special assembly was the main demand of Nepal's political parties and the fiercely republican Maoists, who teamed up in April 2006 and orchestrated weeks of protests and unrest that resulted in King Gyanendra giving up dictatorial powers he had seized the year before.
Gyanendra was crowned king seven years ago in June 2001 after the killing of King Birendra and his family members, for which an official probe commission had held crown prince Dipendra, who committed suicide after the tragedy, responsible.
In a week from now, King Gyanendra will most probably be reduced to the status of an ordinary citizen as the special assembly will endorse the parliamentary motion to declare Nepal a republic and abolish the centuries old monarchy.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Nepal army will respect abolition of monarchy
May 29, 2008 04:56pm Article from: Agence France-Presse
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23778317-1702,00.html
NEPAL'S army, long seen as a bastion of support for the royal family, says it will respect a historic vote by a constitutional assembly abolishing the Himalayan nation's monarchy.
"How we feel does not matter, how the country feels is what matters,'' said Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri, army director of public relations.
"The decision has been taken by the constituent assembly and it must be abided by by all stakeholders,'' he told AFP.
Nepal's King Gyanendra became the last in his line today when a constitutional assembly elected in April voted overwhelmingly to declare Nepal a republic. The vote capped a peace accord between Maoists and mainstream parties that ended a decade-long civil war.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23778317-1702,00.html
NEPAL'S army, long seen as a bastion of support for the royal family, says it will respect a historic vote by a constitutional assembly abolishing the Himalayan nation's monarchy.
"How we feel does not matter, how the country feels is what matters,'' said Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri, army director of public relations.
"The decision has been taken by the constituent assembly and it must be abided by by all stakeholders,'' he told AFP.
Nepal's King Gyanendra became the last in his line today when a constitutional assembly elected in April voted overwhelmingly to declare Nepal a republic. The vote capped a peace accord between Maoists and mainstream parties that ended a decade-long civil war.
RPP-Nepal becomes the only party against republic; some lawyers question procedures adopted by CA
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/may/may29/news01.php
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal) has become the only party that voted against the proposal of implementing the declaration of republic.
When the proposal was put forth for voting, of the 564 members of CA present at the meeting, 560 voted in its favour while four members of RPP-N voted against it.
Although the chairman of the assembly Kul Bahadur Gurung did not allow the RPP-N members to make their case before the voting, its member Chandra Bahadur Gurung later submitted note of dissent expressing dissatisfaction over the republic declaration.
“Though we are aware of the culture of functioning like a robot through remote-control, we have decided to register our note of dissent for the record for the posterity,” said Gurung.
Gurung could not complete reading his party’s statement as the assembly chair barred him from speaking after the allotted two minutes.
Speaking at the post-voting discussion, chief of Rastriya Jana Morcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, expressed dissatisfaction over the move to turn Nepal into federal state.
Meanwhile, some lawyers have pointed at the flaws in the procedures adopted by the CA during its first meeting.
According to a constitutional lawyer Bipin Adhikari, the procedures followed by the Constituent Assembly had three serious flaws.
“First, the House started its proceedings without the 26 nominated members, who should have been present in the House to fulfil the membership requirement of the Assembly under Article 63(3) of the Constitution. The President of the House ignored this requirement, because the Prime Minister was not able to nominate them in consultation with the parties before the meeting kicked off,” said Adhikari, who added that this flaw would make the proceedings of an incomplete House open to challenge.
“Secondly, the motion to abolish monarchy and operationalize Article 159 was not subjected to discussion before the voting on it according to the recognized parliamentary practice. The chair ignored the repeated requests by the opposition group of the RPP-Nepal, the only monarchist voice in the entire Assembly, to allow discussion on the motion, so that they could register their opposition before the voting,” he said, adding, “Thirdly, and lastly, the implementation of the 'republicanisation plan' was done without any statutory basis, and certainly without giving any opportunity to the King to explain his case before the sovereign House." nepalnews.com sd May 29 08
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal) has become the only party that voted against the proposal of implementing the declaration of republic.
When the proposal was put forth for voting, of the 564 members of CA present at the meeting, 560 voted in its favour while four members of RPP-N voted against it.
Although the chairman of the assembly Kul Bahadur Gurung did not allow the RPP-N members to make their case before the voting, its member Chandra Bahadur Gurung later submitted note of dissent expressing dissatisfaction over the republic declaration.
“Though we are aware of the culture of functioning like a robot through remote-control, we have decided to register our note of dissent for the record for the posterity,” said Gurung.
Gurung could not complete reading his party’s statement as the assembly chair barred him from speaking after the allotted two minutes.
Speaking at the post-voting discussion, chief of Rastriya Jana Morcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, expressed dissatisfaction over the move to turn Nepal into federal state.
Meanwhile, some lawyers have pointed at the flaws in the procedures adopted by the CA during its first meeting.
According to a constitutional lawyer Bipin Adhikari, the procedures followed by the Constituent Assembly had three serious flaws.
“First, the House started its proceedings without the 26 nominated members, who should have been present in the House to fulfil the membership requirement of the Assembly under Article 63(3) of the Constitution. The President of the House ignored this requirement, because the Prime Minister was not able to nominate them in consultation with the parties before the meeting kicked off,” said Adhikari, who added that this flaw would make the proceedings of an incomplete House open to challenge.
“Secondly, the motion to abolish monarchy and operationalize Article 159 was not subjected to discussion before the voting on it according to the recognized parliamentary practice. The chair ignored the repeated requests by the opposition group of the RPP-Nepal, the only monarchist voice in the entire Assembly, to allow discussion on the motion, so that they could register their opposition before the voting,” he said, adding, “Thirdly, and lastly, the implementation of the 'republicanisation plan' was done without any statutory basis, and certainly without giving any opportunity to the King to explain his case before the sovereign House." nepalnews.com sd May 29 08
Nepal: New republic on the roof of the world
KATHMANDU: Nepal, which celebrated its first day as a republic on Thursday after abolishing the monarchy, is an impoverished Himalayan nation sandwiched between India and China.
Key facts: GEOGRAPHY: At 147,181 square kilometres (56,826 square miles), Nepal is slightly larger than the US state of New York, and half the size of Italy. It borders the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet, with which it shares the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. POPULATION: 28.3 million. (World Bank, 2007). CAPITAL: Kathmandu (pop 1.5 million). LANGUAGE: Nepali. English is widely used in government and business. RELIGION: Hindus account for nearly 90 percent of the population. Small Buddhist and Muslim communities.
RECENT HISTORY : Nepal became a British protectorate in 1816 and won independence in 1923. The hereditary monarch, traditionally worshipped as a living god, set up a system of modern cabinet rule in 1951. Multi-party democracy and a constitutional monarchy came in 1990 after a popular uprising left hundreds of people dead. Maoists launched an insurgency to overthrow the monarchy in 1996 after boycotting elections and denouncing corruption.
The world's last Hindu king, Gyanendra, came to the throne in June 2001, after a palace massacre in which the crown prince killed most of the royal family and himself. Gyanendra fired the government and seized direct control of the country in February 2005, saying successive governments had failed to end the war with the Maoists. Fourteen months on, he was forced to reinstate parliament after violent pro-democracy protests.
A peace deal was signed in November 2006 which saw the Maoists enter parliament. The ex-insurgents swept April 2008 elections to a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. The assembly voted late Wednesday to set up a republic and abolish the monarchy. Gyanendra was given 15 days to vacate his palace in Kathmandu amid street celebrations.
ECONOMY: Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries. About three quarters of citizens work in farming, which accounts for 38 percent of GDP. Industrial activity is mainly processing farm products such as jute, sugar cane, tobacco and grain. Per capita GDP: 331 dollars (World Bank, 2007). Foreign debt: 5.3 billion dollars (2005).
Key facts: GEOGRAPHY: At 147,181 square kilometres (56,826 square miles), Nepal is slightly larger than the US state of New York, and half the size of Italy. It borders the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet, with which it shares the world's highest peak, Mount Everest. POPULATION: 28.3 million. (World Bank, 2007). CAPITAL: Kathmandu (pop 1.5 million). LANGUAGE: Nepali. English is widely used in government and business. RELIGION: Hindus account for nearly 90 percent of the population. Small Buddhist and Muslim communities.
RECENT HISTORY : Nepal became a British protectorate in 1816 and won independence in 1923. The hereditary monarch, traditionally worshipped as a living god, set up a system of modern cabinet rule in 1951. Multi-party democracy and a constitutional monarchy came in 1990 after a popular uprising left hundreds of people dead. Maoists launched an insurgency to overthrow the monarchy in 1996 after boycotting elections and denouncing corruption.
The world's last Hindu king, Gyanendra, came to the throne in June 2001, after a palace massacre in which the crown prince killed most of the royal family and himself. Gyanendra fired the government and seized direct control of the country in February 2005, saying successive governments had failed to end the war with the Maoists. Fourteen months on, he was forced to reinstate parliament after violent pro-democracy protests.
A peace deal was signed in November 2006 which saw the Maoists enter parliament. The ex-insurgents swept April 2008 elections to a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. The assembly voted late Wednesday to set up a republic and abolish the monarchy. Gyanendra was given 15 days to vacate his palace in Kathmandu amid street celebrations.
ECONOMY: Nepal is one of the world's poorest countries. About three quarters of citizens work in farming, which accounts for 38 percent of GDP. Industrial activity is mainly processing farm products such as jute, sugar cane, tobacco and grain. Per capita GDP: 331 dollars (World Bank, 2007). Foreign debt: 5.3 billion dollars (2005).
Nepal's monarchy abolished, republic declared
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j0nzhteKhYl6g3K2y7bJ06h7sinQ
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Political leaders in Nepal on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to abolish the Himalayan nation's 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and declare a republic.
In an historic vote that caps a peace deal between Maoist rebels and mainstream parties, a new constitutional assembly ordered unpopular King Gyanendra to quit his palace within 15 days so it can be turned into a museum.
"The sacrifice of thousands of Nepalese has been honoured today by us getting rid of the monarchy," Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara told AFP.
The abolition is a triumph for the ultra-leftists and marks a fresh start for one of the world's poorest countries, still reeling from a civil war that left at least 13,000 people dead.
"The Nepalese people have been freed from centuries of feudal tradition, and the doors have now opened for a radical social and economic transformation," Mahara said.
Nepal's fiercely-republican Maoists, who fought for 10 years to remove the monarchy and create a secular republic, won the largest single bloc of seats in the assembly in elections last month.
A senior member of the 601-member Constituent Assembly, Kul Bahadur Gurung, said only four lawmakers opposed the move.
The republican declaration states that Nepal will become "an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic."
"All the privileges enjoyed by the king and royal family will automatically come to an end," it says, noting that May 29 will henceforth be celebrated as "Republic Day."
Gyanendra, who ascended the throne after a drunken prince killed most of the royal family in 2001, was given 15 days to pack up and vacate his Kathmandu palace.
"This assembly asks the government to make the necessary arrangements to vacate the Narayanhiti Royal palace," Gurung told the late-night gathering, prompting huge cheers and applause.
"The meeting also directs the government to take necessary actions to turn the palace into a national museum."
Outside the venue, a crowd of about 1,000 people -- who had been waiting impatiently for the vote -- cheered wildly as the decision was announced, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
"I am overjoyed. This is the most important day of my life," said Rajesh Subedi, a 21-year-old student and Maoist supporter.
The former rebels have told Gyanendra and his son and heir, Crown Prince Paras -- loathed for his reported playboy lifestyle -- to bow out gracefully and adapt to life as a "common citizen" or else face "strong punishment."
Nepal's peace minister, Ram Chandra Poudel, told reporters the monarch "should understand and leave the palace by himself, that would be the best thing."
Gyanendra, seen by loyalists as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, was vaulted to the throne after the 2001 massacre of his popular brother Birendra and most of the royal family by a drink-and-drug-fuelled crown prince who later killed himself.
But the dour-faced monarch never managed to win much support from the public, with many Nepalese suspecting he was in some way involved in the palace killings -- even though officials and experts have dismissed such a conspiracy theory.
His ill-fated decision to seize absolute power to fight the Maoist rebellion further damaged his status.
He still enjoys some support from Hindu hardliners and powerful elements in the armed forces and ruling elite, who argue the royals are a crucial symbol of the neutrality of a country wedged between Asian giants India and China.
"No one now has a political basis to try and revive him," said analyst and commentator Prashant Jha.
Many had feared Nepal's radical transformation would give way to more violence, but this week suspected pro-royals only managed to carry out minor bomb attacks that caused a small number of light injuries.
The Maoists are set to lead Nepal's new government, although many are still sceptical of the movement -- whose loyalists are regularly accused of using violence and intimidation.
The United States also continues to list the former rebels as a foreign "terrorist" organisation.
KATHMANDU (AFP) — Political leaders in Nepal on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to abolish the Himalayan nation's 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and declare a republic.
In an historic vote that caps a peace deal between Maoist rebels and mainstream parties, a new constitutional assembly ordered unpopular King Gyanendra to quit his palace within 15 days so it can be turned into a museum.
"The sacrifice of thousands of Nepalese has been honoured today by us getting rid of the monarchy," Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara told AFP.
The abolition is a triumph for the ultra-leftists and marks a fresh start for one of the world's poorest countries, still reeling from a civil war that left at least 13,000 people dead.
"The Nepalese people have been freed from centuries of feudal tradition, and the doors have now opened for a radical social and economic transformation," Mahara said.
Nepal's fiercely-republican Maoists, who fought for 10 years to remove the monarchy and create a secular republic, won the largest single bloc of seats in the assembly in elections last month.
A senior member of the 601-member Constituent Assembly, Kul Bahadur Gurung, said only four lawmakers opposed the move.
The republican declaration states that Nepal will become "an independent, indivisible, sovereign, secular and an inclusive democratic republic."
"All the privileges enjoyed by the king and royal family will automatically come to an end," it says, noting that May 29 will henceforth be celebrated as "Republic Day."
Gyanendra, who ascended the throne after a drunken prince killed most of the royal family in 2001, was given 15 days to pack up and vacate his Kathmandu palace.
"This assembly asks the government to make the necessary arrangements to vacate the Narayanhiti Royal palace," Gurung told the late-night gathering, prompting huge cheers and applause.
"The meeting also directs the government to take necessary actions to turn the palace into a national museum."
Outside the venue, a crowd of about 1,000 people -- who had been waiting impatiently for the vote -- cheered wildly as the decision was announced, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
"I am overjoyed. This is the most important day of my life," said Rajesh Subedi, a 21-year-old student and Maoist supporter.
The former rebels have told Gyanendra and his son and heir, Crown Prince Paras -- loathed for his reported playboy lifestyle -- to bow out gracefully and adapt to life as a "common citizen" or else face "strong punishment."
Nepal's peace minister, Ram Chandra Poudel, told reporters the monarch "should understand and leave the palace by himself, that would be the best thing."
Gyanendra, seen by loyalists as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, was vaulted to the throne after the 2001 massacre of his popular brother Birendra and most of the royal family by a drink-and-drug-fuelled crown prince who later killed himself.
But the dour-faced monarch never managed to win much support from the public, with many Nepalese suspecting he was in some way involved in the palace killings -- even though officials and experts have dismissed such a conspiracy theory.
His ill-fated decision to seize absolute power to fight the Maoist rebellion further damaged his status.
He still enjoys some support from Hindu hardliners and powerful elements in the armed forces and ruling elite, who argue the royals are a crucial symbol of the neutrality of a country wedged between Asian giants India and China.
"No one now has a political basis to try and revive him," said analyst and commentator Prashant Jha.
Many had feared Nepal's radical transformation would give way to more violence, but this week suspected pro-royals only managed to carry out minor bomb attacks that caused a small number of light injuries.
The Maoists are set to lead Nepal's new government, although many are still sceptical of the movement -- whose loyalists are regularly accused of using violence and intimidation.
The United States also continues to list the former rebels as a foreign "terrorist" organisation.
Secular Republic of Nepal is born - Indian Express
Yubaraj Ghimire
Posted online: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 0036 hrs
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/315943.html
Kathmandu, May 28: Half an hour before the stroke of midnight today, Nepal became a Republic. The transition to “a secular, federal, democratic, republic nation” was formalised with a resolution moved by Home Minister K P Sitaula and right away passed by 560 votes against four by the newly-sworn in Constituent Assembly.
Minutes later, the Royal Standard flying atop the Narayanhiti palace — home to five kings so far — was brought down by palace officials.
The transition to a democracy means abolition of the monarchy and dethronement of King Gyanendra, with all the privileges of the royal family taken away with immediate effect. He will have no rights in social, political, cultural or religious fields more than what any Nepali citizen is entitled to.
However, constitutional experts raised some concern about the speed with which the resolution was passed, without members being allowed to record their objections. “It is unheard of, unacceptable and unconstitutional that such an important resolution was passed in such a shabby manner,” constitutional lawyer Bipin Adhikari told The Indian Express.
Earlier, the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, at the Birendra International Convention Centre, was postponed twice due to late-minute political wrangling. Scheduled to begin at 11 am local time, it began after 9 pm as the ruling parties and Maoists argued over who should be the President of the new Republic.
Ultimately, a consensus was reached that the monarchy would be abolished with immediate effect, and the roles and jurisdiction of the president would be decided later. The resolution was finally moved by the Assembly around 9.45 pm. In a brief speech read out by his Cabinet colleague Ram Chandra Poudel, Prime Minister G P Koirala said Nepal’s new challenges were peace, stability and economic development.
The resolution said that May 28 will be celebrated as the Republic Day of Nepal every year. There will be president who will be the head of the state while the Prime Minister will be the executive head.
Gathered on the streets of Kathmandu, singing and dancing in anticipation of the historic change, the crowds outside the Birendra International Convention Centre grew restive as the wait for the meeting dragged on into the night. Inside, diplomats and representatives of international communities also spent the entire day waiting.
A couple of explosions outside the venue injected further fear and uncertainty. Police said at least one person had been arrested and was being interrogated.
All through the day, top leaders of the Maoists, Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist shuttled between the centre and the Prime Minister’s residence to sort out last-minute differences.
While the Congress and UML were in favour of a president with emergency powers who would also be the supreme commander of the army, the Maoists preferred the current system in which the Prime Minister also acts as the caretaker president.
When the meeting finally began, pro-tem Speaker K B Gurung of the Congress refused to entertain objections from members over curtailing of members’ right to record their opinion on such an important matter. He said the members would be given a chance to do so after the voting.
• Constituent Assembly votes 560-4, makes history
• King now a commoner, Royal flag brought down
• Concerns over manner in which motion passed
Posted online: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 0036 hrs
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/315943.html
Kathmandu, May 28: Half an hour before the stroke of midnight today, Nepal became a Republic. The transition to “a secular, federal, democratic, republic nation” was formalised with a resolution moved by Home Minister K P Sitaula and right away passed by 560 votes against four by the newly-sworn in Constituent Assembly.
Minutes later, the Royal Standard flying atop the Narayanhiti palace — home to five kings so far — was brought down by palace officials.
The transition to a democracy means abolition of the monarchy and dethronement of King Gyanendra, with all the privileges of the royal family taken away with immediate effect. He will have no rights in social, political, cultural or religious fields more than what any Nepali citizen is entitled to.
However, constitutional experts raised some concern about the speed with which the resolution was passed, without members being allowed to record their objections. “It is unheard of, unacceptable and unconstitutional that such an important resolution was passed in such a shabby manner,” constitutional lawyer Bipin Adhikari told The Indian Express.
Earlier, the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, at the Birendra International Convention Centre, was postponed twice due to late-minute political wrangling. Scheduled to begin at 11 am local time, it began after 9 pm as the ruling parties and Maoists argued over who should be the President of the new Republic.
Ultimately, a consensus was reached that the monarchy would be abolished with immediate effect, and the roles and jurisdiction of the president would be decided later. The resolution was finally moved by the Assembly around 9.45 pm. In a brief speech read out by his Cabinet colleague Ram Chandra Poudel, Prime Minister G P Koirala said Nepal’s new challenges were peace, stability and economic development.
The resolution said that May 28 will be celebrated as the Republic Day of Nepal every year. There will be president who will be the head of the state while the Prime Minister will be the executive head.
Gathered on the streets of Kathmandu, singing and dancing in anticipation of the historic change, the crowds outside the Birendra International Convention Centre grew restive as the wait for the meeting dragged on into the night. Inside, diplomats and representatives of international communities also spent the entire day waiting.
A couple of explosions outside the venue injected further fear and uncertainty. Police said at least one person had been arrested and was being interrogated.
All through the day, top leaders of the Maoists, Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist shuttled between the centre and the Prime Minister’s residence to sort out last-minute differences.
While the Congress and UML were in favour of a president with emergency powers who would also be the supreme commander of the army, the Maoists preferred the current system in which the Prime Minister also acts as the caretaker president.
When the meeting finally began, pro-tem Speaker K B Gurung of the Congress refused to entertain objections from members over curtailing of members’ right to record their opinion on such an important matter. He said the members would be given a chance to do so after the voting.
• Constituent Assembly votes 560-4, makes history
• King now a commoner, Royal flag brought down
• Concerns over manner in which motion passed
Nepal declares itself a democratic republic
28 May 2008, 2317 hrs IST , PTI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Nepal_declares_itself_a_democratic_republic/articleshow/msid-3081177,curpg-2.cms
KATHMANDU: Nepal on Wednesday scripted a new chapter in its turbulent history as the new constituent assembly abolished the 240-year-old monarchy and declared the country a "secular, federal democratic republic". ( Watch )
The 601-member assembly met at the Birendra International Convention Centre on Wednesday evening where a motion was passed to declare the country the world's newest republic. After a series of meetings, the Seven Party Alliance agreed to table the motion of republic in the first meeting of the constituent assembly, dominated by Maoists.
Out of 601 members of the constituent assembly, 572 were present during Wednesday's meeting. The motion to declare the country a republic was moved by Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitola on behalf of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The motion was passed by 560 votes in favour while four members opposed it.
The motion said that Nepal will be secular, federal, democratic republic nation and King Gyanendra will be reduced to a common citizen. The king will lose all the cultural, administrative and political powers. The king and the royal family members will enjoy the rights that are meant for any common man, the motion said. It said the May 28 will be celebrated as the Republic Day of the nation every year. There will be president who will be the head of the state while the prime minister will be the executive head. The four members who opposed the motion are members of the pro-king Rashtriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, constituent assembly chairman Kulbahadur Gurung announced after the voting. The country was declared republic as per Article 159 of the interim constitution, he said.
The ruling alliance had earlier agreed to give 15 days time to the king to leave the Narayanhiti palace, which will be converted into a museum. The then king in Nepal, Mahendra had dismissed the elected government in 1960 when B P Koirala, the brother of Prime Minister G P koirala, was heading it. The cabinet is yet to nominate 26 members and three were absent. Earlier on Wednesday, the CA meeting was postponed in the morning as more time was needed for the political parties to arrive at consensus regarding the issue of making separate provision of president. Besides lawmakers, a large number of diplomats, senior government officials, journalists and civil society members were present at the CA meeting venue.
The political parties have already agreed to create a post of president, armed with the powers of imposing emergency and carrying the title of the supreme commander of the Nepal army, according to Nepali Congress sources.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Nepal_declares_itself_a_democratic_republic/articleshow/msid-3081177,curpg-2.cms
KATHMANDU: Nepal on Wednesday scripted a new chapter in its turbulent history as the new constituent assembly abolished the 240-year-old monarchy and declared the country a "secular, federal democratic republic". ( Watch )
The 601-member assembly met at the Birendra International Convention Centre on Wednesday evening where a motion was passed to declare the country the world's newest republic. After a series of meetings, the Seven Party Alliance agreed to table the motion of republic in the first meeting of the constituent assembly, dominated by Maoists.
Out of 601 members of the constituent assembly, 572 were present during Wednesday's meeting. The motion to declare the country a republic was moved by Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitola on behalf of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The motion was passed by 560 votes in favour while four members opposed it.
The motion said that Nepal will be secular, federal, democratic republic nation and King Gyanendra will be reduced to a common citizen. The king will lose all the cultural, administrative and political powers. The king and the royal family members will enjoy the rights that are meant for any common man, the motion said. It said the May 28 will be celebrated as the Republic Day of the nation every year. There will be president who will be the head of the state while the prime minister will be the executive head. The four members who opposed the motion are members of the pro-king Rashtriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, constituent assembly chairman Kulbahadur Gurung announced after the voting. The country was declared republic as per Article 159 of the interim constitution, he said.
The ruling alliance had earlier agreed to give 15 days time to the king to leave the Narayanhiti palace, which will be converted into a museum. The then king in Nepal, Mahendra had dismissed the elected government in 1960 when B P Koirala, the brother of Prime Minister G P koirala, was heading it. The cabinet is yet to nominate 26 members and three were absent. Earlier on Wednesday, the CA meeting was postponed in the morning as more time was needed for the political parties to arrive at consensus regarding the issue of making separate provision of president. Besides lawmakers, a large number of diplomats, senior government officials, journalists and civil society members were present at the CA meeting venue.
The political parties have already agreed to create a post of president, armed with the powers of imposing emergency and carrying the title of the supreme commander of the Nepal army, according to Nepali Congress sources.
Republic Nepal: A day’s timeline of celebrations
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/detail.php?article_id=1001&cat_id=4
Kathmandu, May 28
The 28th of May, Wednesday will be written with golden letters in the political history of Nepal with the Constituent Assembly deciding to abolish the 240 year monarchial rule and the heralding of a new era of federal republican democracy.
The Rising Nepal recorded the day long celebrations that took place in different parts of the capital city. The events have been presented as observed from early morning till late evening. Gongabu at 10 AM: This is a spot known for the mightiest mass movement in the 2006 April movement. Despite the call of different parties for people to come to the street to welcome the glorious day, few had gathered there for a rally.
Moreover, the big board in which photos of all 22 martyrs were kept for display for the last two years was removed. How long has it been removed, few days back the board was there. Later on at 12 it was reported that CPN-Maoist took out a big rally from the place.New Baneshower at 11 AM: This scribe reached the spot through Maharajgunj and Chabahil where people were gathering for a rally. They were carrying flags of the communist party.
New Baneshwore is the place where the international Convention Centre is located and it is the centre for the meetings of the CA. The first meeting of the CA was taking place there today to declare the country a republic. The time for the meet was set for 11 but reaching there the time was postponed by 4 hours to settle differences of the major parties. The place was fill of people carrying the flags of different political parties and craving for a political change for decades.
Most of them had written ‘long live republic Nepal’ on their forehead and cheeks. Ratnapark at 2:00 PM: A big rally of CPN-Maoist was moving. They had come to the spot from ten different spots of the Ring Road of the Valley. A group of national and international journalists had gathered near the main gate of the Royal palace. A TV journalist said that he had covered live three times. Some people were taking photographs keeping the palace at the background. A motorbike moved towards east from the south road furling the communist flag while three Royal policemen were parading inside the palace and the TV cameramen caught the rare scene.Baluwatar at 3:00 PM: Journalists were waiting for the leaders to emerge with a concrete decision from the meeting inside the official residence of Prime Minister. Most of them were tired. They had been waiting since 9:30 from the time when the leaders had been in the meeting.
At 5:15 the news about use of teargas at Baneshore was reported. Journalists were heard saying, ‘now the leaders will decide soon as the people are turning violent to pressure them.’ At 5:40 famous singers JB Tuhure and Nanda Krishna Joshi reached the spot and talk with the journalists, “After a rally from Martyrs stage, we went to Baneshwore, sang for republic, addressed the mass but they were fed up with the unnecessary postponement of declaration. We also got fed up staying there and came here to know what was going on.
See our leaders who work at the eleventh hour and make the situation tense. People can go violent if they delay any longer.”At six, vehicles of the leaders of the Maoist party were driven out and we understood that the meeting had ended. After 15 minutes CPN-UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal came out and talked with the media persons waiting for almost nine hours. He said the country would be declared republic today, constitutional president will be elected later on. A journalist asked about the new decision after meeting for tedious and long hours!New Baneshwore at 8:00 PM: People were chanting slogans against monarchy.
During the day they were singing and dancing. Compared to their number in the afternoon, they were fewer. Suddenly, a big noise of explosion was heard. The noise had come from the north, this scribe was at the west side, little further away from the main gate. All the journalists moved to the place of the noise, so did I. It was under a small tree near the big Peepal Chautari, almost opposite the main gate. It’s not a big one, of course improvised, a policeman said. They also got a pamphlet of Ranavir Sena at the explosion spot. Within 5 to 6 minutes, another explosion was heard and this time it was at south-west of the Convention Centre, on the road that leads to Maitighar. All moved to that side hurriedly. People were frantically moving here and there. In both explosions nobody was hurt. The police had started cordoning the prohibited area. Throughout the day, people were allowed to pass through the side of the road. What a security!
And, activists of YCL were seen deployed with the police in each corner of the midtown for additional security.Naraynhiti Royal Palace at 9:30 PM: A few journalists were staying some yards away from the main gate of the palace. The Royal flag was fluttering inside. People had expected that the flag would be pulled down during the day and the national flag would be hoisted to mark the republic day. But the king’s flag was still there. Meanwhile, at 11:30 PM the country was declared a republic. The major thoroughfares of the capital city had virtually no movement of vehicles. The market places too wore a deserted look as almost all shops, departmental stores and eateries had downed their shutters.
Kathmandu, May 28
The 28th of May, Wednesday will be written with golden letters in the political history of Nepal with the Constituent Assembly deciding to abolish the 240 year monarchial rule and the heralding of a new era of federal republican democracy.
The Rising Nepal recorded the day long celebrations that took place in different parts of the capital city. The events have been presented as observed from early morning till late evening. Gongabu at 10 AM: This is a spot known for the mightiest mass movement in the 2006 April movement. Despite the call of different parties for people to come to the street to welcome the glorious day, few had gathered there for a rally.
Moreover, the big board in which photos of all 22 martyrs were kept for display for the last two years was removed. How long has it been removed, few days back the board was there. Later on at 12 it was reported that CPN-Maoist took out a big rally from the place.New Baneshower at 11 AM: This scribe reached the spot through Maharajgunj and Chabahil where people were gathering for a rally. They were carrying flags of the communist party.
New Baneshwore is the place where the international Convention Centre is located and it is the centre for the meetings of the CA. The first meeting of the CA was taking place there today to declare the country a republic. The time for the meet was set for 11 but reaching there the time was postponed by 4 hours to settle differences of the major parties. The place was fill of people carrying the flags of different political parties and craving for a political change for decades.
Most of them had written ‘long live republic Nepal’ on their forehead and cheeks. Ratnapark at 2:00 PM: A big rally of CPN-Maoist was moving. They had come to the spot from ten different spots of the Ring Road of the Valley. A group of national and international journalists had gathered near the main gate of the Royal palace. A TV journalist said that he had covered live three times. Some people were taking photographs keeping the palace at the background. A motorbike moved towards east from the south road furling the communist flag while three Royal policemen were parading inside the palace and the TV cameramen caught the rare scene.Baluwatar at 3:00 PM: Journalists were waiting for the leaders to emerge with a concrete decision from the meeting inside the official residence of Prime Minister. Most of them were tired. They had been waiting since 9:30 from the time when the leaders had been in the meeting.
At 5:15 the news about use of teargas at Baneshore was reported. Journalists were heard saying, ‘now the leaders will decide soon as the people are turning violent to pressure them.’ At 5:40 famous singers JB Tuhure and Nanda Krishna Joshi reached the spot and talk with the journalists, “After a rally from Martyrs stage, we went to Baneshwore, sang for republic, addressed the mass but they were fed up with the unnecessary postponement of declaration. We also got fed up staying there and came here to know what was going on.
See our leaders who work at the eleventh hour and make the situation tense. People can go violent if they delay any longer.”At six, vehicles of the leaders of the Maoist party were driven out and we understood that the meeting had ended. After 15 minutes CPN-UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal came out and talked with the media persons waiting for almost nine hours. He said the country would be declared republic today, constitutional president will be elected later on. A journalist asked about the new decision after meeting for tedious and long hours!New Baneshwore at 8:00 PM: People were chanting slogans against monarchy.
During the day they were singing and dancing. Compared to their number in the afternoon, they were fewer. Suddenly, a big noise of explosion was heard. The noise had come from the north, this scribe was at the west side, little further away from the main gate. All the journalists moved to the place of the noise, so did I. It was under a small tree near the big Peepal Chautari, almost opposite the main gate. It’s not a big one, of course improvised, a policeman said. They also got a pamphlet of Ranavir Sena at the explosion spot. Within 5 to 6 minutes, another explosion was heard and this time it was at south-west of the Convention Centre, on the road that leads to Maitighar. All moved to that side hurriedly. People were frantically moving here and there. In both explosions nobody was hurt. The police had started cordoning the prohibited area. Throughout the day, people were allowed to pass through the side of the road. What a security!
And, activists of YCL were seen deployed with the police in each corner of the midtown for additional security.Naraynhiti Royal Palace at 9:30 PM: A few journalists were staying some yards away from the main gate of the palace. The Royal flag was fluttering inside. People had expected that the flag would be pulled down during the day and the national flag would be hoisted to mark the republic day. But the king’s flag was still there. Meanwhile, at 11:30 PM the country was declared a republic. The major thoroughfares of the capital city had virtually no movement of vehicles. The market places too wore a deserted look as almost all shops, departmental stores and eateries had downed their shutters.
King Gyanendra in consultations hours before facing a sack
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2008/may/may28/news10.php
Only hours before the first Constituent Assembly meeting is expected to declare Nepal a republic, the soon to be deposed King Gyanendra, who has acquired a name tag of the Last Shah King, is reportedly holding consultation with his close aides and supporters from yesterday afternoon inside the Narayanhiti royal palace.
Reports quoting palace sources said that the King, who would soon be stripped off his title and become a common citizen of Nepal answerable to the country’s law, is taking advises from officials of Palace secretariat, former Panchas, ministers during the erstwhile royal regime and those close to the palace on his future moves and options as Nepal turns the page on the 239 years of history of monarchy in the country.
Crown Prince Paras, whose playboy image also said to have contributed much to the fall of monarchy, including some members of the royal family are also actively participating in the intense discussion, it is learnt
After consultations King Gyanendra is expected to issue a message in the name of the countrymen in which he is said will try to defend his past actions, explaining that he had not staged the royal coup of February 1 with any bad intentions.
The former Royal Nepal Army has also dispatched a special commando force for the security of the palace. nepalnews.com ag May 28 08
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2008/may/may28/news10.php
Only hours before the first Constituent Assembly meeting is expected to declare Nepal a republic, the soon to be deposed King Gyanendra, who has acquired a name tag of the Last Shah King, is reportedly holding consultation with his close aides and supporters from yesterday afternoon inside the Narayanhiti royal palace.
Reports quoting palace sources said that the King, who would soon be stripped off his title and become a common citizen of Nepal answerable to the country’s law, is taking advises from officials of Palace secretariat, former Panchas, ministers during the erstwhile royal regime and those close to the palace on his future moves and options as Nepal turns the page on the 239 years of history of monarchy in the country.
Crown Prince Paras, whose playboy image also said to have contributed much to the fall of monarchy, including some members of the royal family are also actively participating in the intense discussion, it is learnt
After consultations King Gyanendra is expected to issue a message in the name of the countrymen in which he is said will try to defend his past actions, explaining that he had not staged the royal coup of February 1 with any bad intentions.
The former Royal Nepal Army has also dispatched a special commando force for the security of the palace. nepalnews.com ag May 28 08
http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2008/may/may28/news10.php
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Exceeding diplomatic limits!
http://www.telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=3486
Kathmandu: Unfortunate is the nation-state that gives birth to “impotent” and “anti-nationals”.
Cursed is the nation which has leaders like what we have today in the political scene of the country who more often than not exhibit their excessive leaning towards the former British colony in the neighborhood than serving their own nation.
Shame on such leaders who possess no love and honor for their own nation but instead “surrender” to the political dictates of the rulers of the former colony which comes to them through the Viceroy posted in Kathmandu recently.
Unfortunate is this nation that the Indian Ambassador presents his letter of credentials to an India born Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
No diplomatic etiquettes; no diplomatic barriers; the gross violation of the Geneva Convention that regulates the conduct of a foreign diplomat posted in the host country; no diplomatic courtesy; no manner on how to behave with the leaders of the host country; no restriction is imposed on this diplomat by the host country whenever this fake “Lord Mountbatten” “instructs” or even “scolds” the Nepali leaders to do this or to that; is he above the law of this land? Should he be not taken to task by the non-existent foreign ministry officials? Why should not the Nepali leaders, if they possess any regard for their nation had have the guts, pack this “diplomat” in a box and sent back to the country of his origin?
Thanks that former Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa had the courage to ventilate his some what shocked feelings while talking to Kantipur Television Monday evening who stated bluntly that “Ambassador Sood who is exceeding his diplomatic limits must be packed in a box and sent back to Delhi”.
Yet another Congress stalwart, Dr. Ram Saran Mahat said the other day that “who the hell this diplomat from India is”? He further said that Ambassador Sood has no right to pronounce even a single word as regards how the Nepali politics should proceed in the days ahead.
Dr. Mahat warned that if this immodest diplomat exceeded his limits and continued in dictating us, we the Nepalese must find a suitable solution on how to “deal with” such “etiquette less” diplomat.
What is surprising is that this diplomat is seen every where. He is with PM Koirala. He could be seen the next second with Prachanda and the moment next talking to Upendra Yadav at Hotel Yak and Yeti.
He concludes that Nepal was the extension of Bihar and hence he possessed every right to pounce upon this country by “seducing” or even “threatening” the leaders of this country to work in the “larger interest” of the former colony ruled mercilessly by the British India Company, if one were to recall.
The present day rulers of the Indian Union have reasons to suffer from highest order of inferiority complex for their ancestors had been ruled brutally by their British Masters for well over a century and thus they prefer to act in the same manner and fashion in the conduct of their relations with its small neighbors, more so with Nepal.
It is only but natural.
Naked interference too has a limit. Unnecessarily poking its nose in the exclusive affairs of a “sovereign country” (but are we now?) too has a border. When this border set by Geneva Convention is crossed by any diplomat whether he is from Europe, or India, the host country has the right to declare such undisciplined diplomat as a Persona Non Grata.
With the real King gone, let’s welcome this most haughty diplomat as our next King from the land of our “traditional neighbor”.
The Indian design is becoming more and more visible with the “dubious” activities being carried out by this stubborn diplomat.
The design is, first, to do away with the King which the Indian establishment has already accomplished.
The second design is to slash the strength of the Nepal Army so that Nepal becomes a pretty weakened state.
Third design is the military intervention in this land under one pretext or the other.
The fourth is to initiate the process of Sikkimisation by maneuvering the Nepalese politics in such a manner that Nepal has a good number of Lendhup Dorjes to work for the Indian designs.
Fifth, the Indian design is to bring in more Indian media in Nepal in order to gag the nationalist press. The process has, fortunately, already begun.
Frankly speaking, the manner and the haste with which the institution of the monarchy has been made to collapse, the process of Sikkimisation presumably has already commenced.
Thanks that some of the sons of this soil are more than what Lendhup Dorje was who later died a most “ignominious death” that was demanded for a traitor like him. Some have already managed free scholarship for their kids and the rest of the Indo-pendent leaders presumably are in the pay-roll. Should this mean that India will have no problem in annexing this country into the former British colony? Keep on guessing.
Time will prove as to which Nepali leaders were supporting this Indian grand design under the cover and at what price?
Now let’s look at what this close to persona non grata diplomat said in Pokhara May 24, Saturday.
He orders the Nepali rulers by stating that “the constitution needed no amendment”.
To recall, the NC, the UML, the Madhesi leaders were of the opinion that the interim constitution be amended prior to the formation of the next government.
Albeit, the Maoists have vociferously been saying that the amendment was not necessary at all. Does not the Ambassador’s saying as regards the amendment in the constitution match with what the Maoists have been talking of late?
This does then mean that Ambassador Sood is a Maoist spokesperson by all means.
But what price the Maoists will have to pay later for having made this diplomat their spokesperson? No free lunch in diplomacy! Mind it Comrades!
Things will become clearer in a matter of months as to how the Maoists when in power are squeezed by the Indian authorities.
This is not all, he further instructs our leaders by saying that “it would be a mistake if one looked back and talked about the need for a constitutional amendment as the newly elected CA body has already the mandate to write a fresh constitution”.
Providing his sermon, he adds, “there should now be one goal which is the drafting of a new constitution….if this goal is forgotten, the country’s peace, development and above all political stability will be in danger”.
(See for this diplomats’ commandments which are some what humiliating and insulting which has been verbatim reported by the Naya Patrika daily dated May 25, Sunday in its second page).
Look how he forwards his own sermons and dictates. This should explain his colonial mindset which is nothing but passed on to him by his ancestors who have had to feel the brunt of the British rule.
The last ray of hope is with Prachanda as regards the preservation of Nepal’s glorious pride and honor. But this last hope too seems to have been recently carried away by the past Indian obligations. No wonder then our fire brand Comrade Prachanda now talks with the CNN-IBN that he would go in for having a “special relationship” with the Indian establishment when in power.
Prachanda favors special relationship with India and his second man Dr. Bhattarai is talked to be the main man behind the drafting of the new constitution in Delhi which is in progress according to the NC leader, Dr. Sashank Koirala.
Bleak future imminent ahead of this wretched country, it appears.
Add to this the fact that Girija Prasad Koirala was born in India and thus to expect some thing “national” from him would be to extract oil from the Rajasthan sand.
All said and done, Nepal’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is definitely under a severe threat of Himalayan dimension.
How the new managers of the republican order will face the India’s hawkish bureaucrats is any body’s guess.
Finally a word of advice to the Nepali leaders: Some one is trying to make you his stooge. Some one is trying to deform your mother. Try to refrain from becoming Lendhup Dorje or else you too will have to bear with the same hatred from your own voters and ultimately die a death of a street dog.
The message should be loud and clear.
By the way, Ambassador Sood would do well if he reads few chapters from the book penned by Hans J. Morgenthau on “Politics Among Nations” and understand correctly his diplomatic limits and act accordingly. A modest advice indeed.
Kathmandu: Unfortunate is the nation-state that gives birth to “impotent” and “anti-nationals”.
Cursed is the nation which has leaders like what we have today in the political scene of the country who more often than not exhibit their excessive leaning towards the former British colony in the neighborhood than serving their own nation.
Shame on such leaders who possess no love and honor for their own nation but instead “surrender” to the political dictates of the rulers of the former colony which comes to them through the Viceroy posted in Kathmandu recently.
Unfortunate is this nation that the Indian Ambassador presents his letter of credentials to an India born Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.
No diplomatic etiquettes; no diplomatic barriers; the gross violation of the Geneva Convention that regulates the conduct of a foreign diplomat posted in the host country; no diplomatic courtesy; no manner on how to behave with the leaders of the host country; no restriction is imposed on this diplomat by the host country whenever this fake “Lord Mountbatten” “instructs” or even “scolds” the Nepali leaders to do this or to that; is he above the law of this land? Should he be not taken to task by the non-existent foreign ministry officials? Why should not the Nepali leaders, if they possess any regard for their nation had have the guts, pack this “diplomat” in a box and sent back to the country of his origin?
Thanks that former Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa had the courage to ventilate his some what shocked feelings while talking to Kantipur Television Monday evening who stated bluntly that “Ambassador Sood who is exceeding his diplomatic limits must be packed in a box and sent back to Delhi”.
Yet another Congress stalwart, Dr. Ram Saran Mahat said the other day that “who the hell this diplomat from India is”? He further said that Ambassador Sood has no right to pronounce even a single word as regards how the Nepali politics should proceed in the days ahead.
Dr. Mahat warned that if this immodest diplomat exceeded his limits and continued in dictating us, we the Nepalese must find a suitable solution on how to “deal with” such “etiquette less” diplomat.
What is surprising is that this diplomat is seen every where. He is with PM Koirala. He could be seen the next second with Prachanda and the moment next talking to Upendra Yadav at Hotel Yak and Yeti.
He concludes that Nepal was the extension of Bihar and hence he possessed every right to pounce upon this country by “seducing” or even “threatening” the leaders of this country to work in the “larger interest” of the former colony ruled mercilessly by the British India Company, if one were to recall.
The present day rulers of the Indian Union have reasons to suffer from highest order of inferiority complex for their ancestors had been ruled brutally by their British Masters for well over a century and thus they prefer to act in the same manner and fashion in the conduct of their relations with its small neighbors, more so with Nepal.
It is only but natural.
Naked interference too has a limit. Unnecessarily poking its nose in the exclusive affairs of a “sovereign country” (but are we now?) too has a border. When this border set by Geneva Convention is crossed by any diplomat whether he is from Europe, or India, the host country has the right to declare such undisciplined diplomat as a Persona Non Grata.
With the real King gone, let’s welcome this most haughty diplomat as our next King from the land of our “traditional neighbor”.
The Indian design is becoming more and more visible with the “dubious” activities being carried out by this stubborn diplomat.
The design is, first, to do away with the King which the Indian establishment has already accomplished.
The second design is to slash the strength of the Nepal Army so that Nepal becomes a pretty weakened state.
Third design is the military intervention in this land under one pretext or the other.
The fourth is to initiate the process of Sikkimisation by maneuvering the Nepalese politics in such a manner that Nepal has a good number of Lendhup Dorjes to work for the Indian designs.
Fifth, the Indian design is to bring in more Indian media in Nepal in order to gag the nationalist press. The process has, fortunately, already begun.
Frankly speaking, the manner and the haste with which the institution of the monarchy has been made to collapse, the process of Sikkimisation presumably has already commenced.
Thanks that some of the sons of this soil are more than what Lendhup Dorje was who later died a most “ignominious death” that was demanded for a traitor like him. Some have already managed free scholarship for their kids and the rest of the Indo-pendent leaders presumably are in the pay-roll. Should this mean that India will have no problem in annexing this country into the former British colony? Keep on guessing.
Time will prove as to which Nepali leaders were supporting this Indian grand design under the cover and at what price?
Now let’s look at what this close to persona non grata diplomat said in Pokhara May 24, Saturday.
He orders the Nepali rulers by stating that “the constitution needed no amendment”.
To recall, the NC, the UML, the Madhesi leaders were of the opinion that the interim constitution be amended prior to the formation of the next government.
Albeit, the Maoists have vociferously been saying that the amendment was not necessary at all. Does not the Ambassador’s saying as regards the amendment in the constitution match with what the Maoists have been talking of late?
This does then mean that Ambassador Sood is a Maoist spokesperson by all means.
But what price the Maoists will have to pay later for having made this diplomat their spokesperson? No free lunch in diplomacy! Mind it Comrades!
Things will become clearer in a matter of months as to how the Maoists when in power are squeezed by the Indian authorities.
This is not all, he further instructs our leaders by saying that “it would be a mistake if one looked back and talked about the need for a constitutional amendment as the newly elected CA body has already the mandate to write a fresh constitution”.
Providing his sermon, he adds, “there should now be one goal which is the drafting of a new constitution….if this goal is forgotten, the country’s peace, development and above all political stability will be in danger”.
(See for this diplomats’ commandments which are some what humiliating and insulting which has been verbatim reported by the Naya Patrika daily dated May 25, Sunday in its second page).
Look how he forwards his own sermons and dictates. This should explain his colonial mindset which is nothing but passed on to him by his ancestors who have had to feel the brunt of the British rule.
The last ray of hope is with Prachanda as regards the preservation of Nepal’s glorious pride and honor. But this last hope too seems to have been recently carried away by the past Indian obligations. No wonder then our fire brand Comrade Prachanda now talks with the CNN-IBN that he would go in for having a “special relationship” with the Indian establishment when in power.
Prachanda favors special relationship with India and his second man Dr. Bhattarai is talked to be the main man behind the drafting of the new constitution in Delhi which is in progress according to the NC leader, Dr. Sashank Koirala.
Bleak future imminent ahead of this wretched country, it appears.
Add to this the fact that Girija Prasad Koirala was born in India and thus to expect some thing “national” from him would be to extract oil from the Rajasthan sand.
All said and done, Nepal’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is definitely under a severe threat of Himalayan dimension.
How the new managers of the republican order will face the India’s hawkish bureaucrats is any body’s guess.
Finally a word of advice to the Nepali leaders: Some one is trying to make you his stooge. Some one is trying to deform your mother. Try to refrain from becoming Lendhup Dorje or else you too will have to bear with the same hatred from your own voters and ultimately die a death of a street dog.
The message should be loud and clear.
By the way, Ambassador Sood would do well if he reads few chapters from the book penned by Hans J. Morgenthau on “Politics Among Nations” and understand correctly his diplomatic limits and act accordingly. A modest advice indeed.
Nepal set to abolish monarchy, become republic
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hG2O9QRIRxA9fIqMsotKKx-nvWCA
KATHMANDU (AFP) — The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal was set for historic change on Wednesday with an assembly expected to abolish the country's 240-year-old monarchy, in a key victory for former Maoist rebels.
Security was tight around the venue for the assembly, which is set to dissolve the monarchy and sack the unpopular King Gyanendra when it holds its first session later Wednesday.
Scores of police ringed the conference centre in Kathmandu after a series of bomb blasts in the runup to the meet by suspected "anti-republicans" supporting Gyanendra, who ascended the throne seven years ago after a palace massacre.
A homemade bomb exploded in a Kathmandu park on Tuesday shortly after Constituent Assembly members were sworn in, injuring two people.
The lawmakers, elected in last month's polls to draft a new constitution, were set to begin proceedings at 11:00 am (0545 GMT) at the convention centre.
"This is an epoch-making day," Maoist leader Prachanda, who is expected to head the country's next government, told reporters on Tuesday.
"For the past 50 years people have been fighting for this. The institution of the monarchy will formally come to an end."
The Maoists, who have long vowed to remove the king and create a republic, emerged as surprise winners in the April polls, taking a third of the assembly's 601 seats.
The Maoists signed a landmark peace deal in 2006 that brought them into the political mainstream, ending a decade-long insurgency that killed thousands of people and crippled the already impoverished nation's economy.
Gyanendra was crowned following the 2001 killing of his popular brother Birendra and most of the royal family by a drink-and-drug-fuelled crown prince who later killed himself.
Although seen by loyalists as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, he remained at the centre of conspiracy theories linking him to the killings.
He still enjoys some support from Hindu hardliners and powerful elements in the armed forces and ruling elite, but observers of the royal house said Wednesday's meet appeared to be the end of the Shah dynasty.
"He has been isolated and he has a very slim chance of making a comeback," said Surendra Khatri Chhetri, a history professor at Tribhuvan University.
"The strength of republican sentiment has cornered the king."
Kishore Shrestha, editor of a weekly newspaper that regularly runs scoops from palace staff on the dynnasty said the king appeared to be preparing for life as a commoner.
"Palace sources have told me he has started laying off large numbers of staff, and has been renovating two of his private properties," Shrestha said.
"My sources tell me that he will vacate the main palace very soon."
Gyanendra's whereabouts were unknown late Tuesday, after he was seen leaving Narayanhiti palace, a sprawling complex in the heart of Kathmandu, driving himself and Queen Komal in a Mercedes car and part of a small convoy.
The palace press secretariat said it did not know where the king was going, or if he was leaving for good -- in line with Maoist demands that he vacate his royal home and bow out gracefully.
Last month's vote appeared to vindicate the Maoist demand for a republic, with the former rebels winning more than a third of the new assembly's seats.
But less than a day before the assembly was to begin, the mainstream parties and Maoists were still wrangling Tuesday over the make up of a new government.
Maoists insist they have the right to lead the nation after their win, but the other parties fear the former rebels will now have too much power.
Gyanendra sealed his fate in early 2005, when he dismissed the government and took direct control, galvanising public sentiment against him.
The rebel Maoists and political parties launched mass protests that forced the king to back down a year later.
In the process the once bitter foes drew closer together, forging the 2006 peace agreement, ending a decade of civil war that killed 13,000 people, and completely sidelining the king.
"The doors to a republic were opened by the king himself," said historian Khatri Chhetri. "The palace is no more a central figure of politics."
KATHMANDU (AFP) — The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal was set for historic change on Wednesday with an assembly expected to abolish the country's 240-year-old monarchy, in a key victory for former Maoist rebels.
Security was tight around the venue for the assembly, which is set to dissolve the monarchy and sack the unpopular King Gyanendra when it holds its first session later Wednesday.
Scores of police ringed the conference centre in Kathmandu after a series of bomb blasts in the runup to the meet by suspected "anti-republicans" supporting Gyanendra, who ascended the throne seven years ago after a palace massacre.
A homemade bomb exploded in a Kathmandu park on Tuesday shortly after Constituent Assembly members were sworn in, injuring two people.
The lawmakers, elected in last month's polls to draft a new constitution, were set to begin proceedings at 11:00 am (0545 GMT) at the convention centre.
"This is an epoch-making day," Maoist leader Prachanda, who is expected to head the country's next government, told reporters on Tuesday.
"For the past 50 years people have been fighting for this. The institution of the monarchy will formally come to an end."
The Maoists, who have long vowed to remove the king and create a republic, emerged as surprise winners in the April polls, taking a third of the assembly's 601 seats.
The Maoists signed a landmark peace deal in 2006 that brought them into the political mainstream, ending a decade-long insurgency that killed thousands of people and crippled the already impoverished nation's economy.
Gyanendra was crowned following the 2001 killing of his popular brother Birendra and most of the royal family by a drink-and-drug-fuelled crown prince who later killed himself.
Although seen by loyalists as the reincarnation of a Hindu god, he remained at the centre of conspiracy theories linking him to the killings.
He still enjoys some support from Hindu hardliners and powerful elements in the armed forces and ruling elite, but observers of the royal house said Wednesday's meet appeared to be the end of the Shah dynasty.
"He has been isolated and he has a very slim chance of making a comeback," said Surendra Khatri Chhetri, a history professor at Tribhuvan University.
"The strength of republican sentiment has cornered the king."
Kishore Shrestha, editor of a weekly newspaper that regularly runs scoops from palace staff on the dynnasty said the king appeared to be preparing for life as a commoner.
"Palace sources have told me he has started laying off large numbers of staff, and has been renovating two of his private properties," Shrestha said.
"My sources tell me that he will vacate the main palace very soon."
Gyanendra's whereabouts were unknown late Tuesday, after he was seen leaving Narayanhiti palace, a sprawling complex in the heart of Kathmandu, driving himself and Queen Komal in a Mercedes car and part of a small convoy.
The palace press secretariat said it did not know where the king was going, or if he was leaving for good -- in line with Maoist demands that he vacate his royal home and bow out gracefully.
Last month's vote appeared to vindicate the Maoist demand for a republic, with the former rebels winning more than a third of the new assembly's seats.
But less than a day before the assembly was to begin, the mainstream parties and Maoists were still wrangling Tuesday over the make up of a new government.
Maoists insist they have the right to lead the nation after their win, but the other parties fear the former rebels will now have too much power.
Gyanendra sealed his fate in early 2005, when he dismissed the government and took direct control, galvanising public sentiment against him.
The rebel Maoists and political parties launched mass protests that forced the king to back down a year later.
In the process the once bitter foes drew closer together, forging the 2006 peace agreement, ending a decade of civil war that killed 13,000 people, and completely sidelining the king.
"The doors to a republic were opened by the king himself," said historian Khatri Chhetri. "The palace is no more a central figure of politics."
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