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Peoples
Movement II in Nepal
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Pratima Guatam
President |
After the royal takeover on February 1, 2005 the king appointed
a government led by himself and enforced martial law. The King argued that civil
politicians were unfit to handle the Maoist insurgency. Telephone lines were cut and
several high profile political leaders were detained. Some opposition leaders
escaped to neighboring countries especially to India and regrouped there. A large
alliance against the royal takeover called the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) was organized,
encompassing about 90% of the seats in the old, dissolved parliament. |
Seven Party Alliance signed a twelve-point understanding with
the Maoists in December 2005 who are fighting to establish Nepal as a republic.
Maoists are committed to multiparty democracy and people’s freedom within the
framework of the understanding and the Seven Party Alliance agreed to the Maoists demand
for elections to a Constituent Assembly. |
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The situation
became more tense as SPA launched a series of agitation across the country in the
beginning of 2006. Number of opposition leaders were arrested but there was no
stopping of demonstrations against the King. Demonstrations reached a peak in
February when municipal elections were held. The Seven Party Alliance and the
Maoists called for a boycott of the elections. |
A four day nationwide general strike was called by the Seven
Party Alliance between April 5-9 2006 and Maoist insurgents called for a cease-fire in
Katmandu valley during that time. We saw numerous protests. Curfew was imposed
by the royal government with orders to shoot protestors at sight. Protests
continued. The Seven Party Alliance announced that it intended to continue its
protests indefinitely from April 9, 2006. The government announced plans to set up
its enforcement of the curfew and claimed that the Maoists had infiltrated the
protests. Maoists said, ‘this was no longer a protest by opposition
parties… it has become a peoples movement,” and warned that it could
on its own lead revolt in the capital.
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On April 24,
2006 in a nationally televised address, the King reinstated the old House of
Representatives. The King called upon the seven parties Alliance to bear the
responsibility of taking the nation on the path to national unity and prosperity, while
ensuring permanent peace, safeguarding multiparty democracy. The reinstitution of
Parliament was accepted by the SPA and declared that Girija Prasad Koirala would lead the
new government. The Seven Party Alliance made a commitment to hold elections for a
body that would write a new constitution. |
After 19 days of the Peoples Movement Nepal was able to get its
sublimed essence sovereignty and supremacy of people’s power. The movement
led by the common people not only destroyed the “so-called destiny of
people” predicted by autocrats but it also brought a complete change, from where
the country could leap towards absolute freedom. The interesting aspect of this
movement was that it was not only a symbolic protest but rather carried a larger meaning
from where the ‘royal servants’ collapsed and autocracy diminished.
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Once again
people were able to exercise the freedom to march ahead bringing fraternity, solidarity
and brotherhood under an umbrella. The collapse of the Kings unconditional pride was
marked as the victory of the people, and a new map of Nepal emerged. People are
still on the streets to watch the leaders so that they do not become mere puppets and
victim of the monarch who once set aside common peoples desires and consequently became a
tyrant to suppress the voice of the people. In this regard, the movement has broken
down the “theory of power” exercised by the monarch hitherto.
However, the freedom derived by the common people was not attained so easily. During
the movement, about 21 people lost their lives and thousands were seriously injured. The
condition of many is still serious and they are undergoing treatment. The royal
servants tried their best to suppress the movement by violating law and order, but
ultimately they surrendered. The once disregarded topic “constituent
assembly” was again widely discussed. The interesting point that emerged
was that the country was seeking an opening through was possible because millions of
people marched forward to protest against the Royal Regime. |
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This time, the Seven Party Alliance and Maoist justified that
personal interests should be set aside and they should work for the national
interest. It was supported by the people who selflessly participated in all the
movements. The centralized got decentralized which at length successfully
reestablished the long-lost democracy.
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Moreover, the full-fledged interest of the common people, civil
society, youth intellects, professors, students, teachers, players, journalists and other
professionals helped to bring complete democracy once again. The love and support of
the local people during the movement infact became a milestone to prove that the Nepalese
people desperately sought for a new day, where people themselves could decide their
destiny.
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The movement opened a way for full-fledged democracy desired by
the people where each and every individual should be given a chance to participate in the
development of the nation so that no single group would have to fight against the system. |
Many Nepalese organizations, institutions and individuals
extended their help towards the wounded by collecting funds which was used for relief of
wounded protestors. Many individuals voluntarily donated blood for the wounded
people, and this act was followed by different organizations. Inspired by the
movement, Asian Youth Centre, Nepal organized several blood donation programmes where more
than 100 youth donated blood for the wounded people. |
After the reinstitution of Parliament and restoration of
democracy, Asian Youth Centre, Nepal organized a talk programme on “Constituent
Assembly and Youth” during May, 2006 to boost up the role of youth in the
constituent assembly. On the occasion Dr. Minedra Rijal, Central Member of Nepali
congress (Democratic), Mr. NP Sound, Central Member of Nepali Congress (Democratic),
Mr.RaghuPant, Central Member of Communist Party Nepal(UML), Rajan Ghattarraj, Youth leader
spoke, highlighting the role and responsibilities of youth in the constituent
assembly. The programme was held under chairmanship of Mr. Shanta Lal Mulmi, former
President of AYC, Nepal Ms.Pratima Gautam, President of AYC, Nepal delivered the welcome
speech. The programme was well attended by youth. |
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