Loktantra Day
THE first anniversary of Jana Andolan II or Loktantra (Democracy) Day is being celebrated throughout the nation with greater enthusiasm and commitment to translate the spirit of the people's movement into action. This was the day last year that forced king Gyanendra to relinquish absolute power he had seized three years ago by disbanding the popularly elected government. The establishment of Loktantra made the people masters of their own destiny. Perhaps, this is the first time in the history of Nepal that Nepalese people were made sovereign in the real sense. The people of Nepal went to the street overwhelmingly at the call of the political parties against the king's authoritarian regime. The people's power restored democracy within 19 days of struggle. The Jana Andolan II not only restored multi-party democracy but also laid the foundation for a democratic republic. Now the process for transforming Nepal into a democratic republic has been underway, albeit at a slow pace. However, the process is moving ahead steadily.
The last one year has seen epoch making changes in Nepal. The decade-long conflict that ravaged the nation came to an end following the signing of the comprehensive peace treaty between the government and the Maoists. This has not only made the people feel safe and secure but also has sent a message to the international community that Nepal and the Nepalese people are capable enough to solve their own problems. With the restoration of multi-party democracy and peace, economic activities have revived which have created new confidence and a sense of greater optimism among the people of Nepal and also the well-wishers of Nepal. After the success of Jana Andolan, plenty of things have been done to institutionalize political and democratic achievements. Most importantly, the CPN-Maoist that had been waging an armed insurgency for the last one decade was brought into the new political system that has heralded a new phase in Nepal's political history. Similarly, the nation is in the process of holding the election to a constituent assembly election for writing a new constitution.
This is the process of writing the constitution by the elected representatives of the people?the issue that had remained unresolved since 1951. But the election to a constituent assembly seems to be delayed as the Election Commission has expressed the inability to hold the election in June this year. Early constituent assembly election is a must to complete the political process and institutionalize the achievements of the Jana Andolan. The eight political parties now need to arrive at a common decision on the dates and process for the constituent assembly election. This is the need of the hour and political parties and the government must express commitment for this. This alone would make the celebration of the Loktantra Day meaningful.
The last one year has seen epoch making changes in Nepal. The decade-long conflict that ravaged the nation came to an end following the signing of the comprehensive peace treaty between the government and the Maoists. This has not only made the people feel safe and secure but also has sent a message to the international community that Nepal and the Nepalese people are capable enough to solve their own problems. With the restoration of multi-party democracy and peace, economic activities have revived which have created new confidence and a sense of greater optimism among the people of Nepal and also the well-wishers of Nepal. After the success of Jana Andolan, plenty of things have been done to institutionalize political and democratic achievements. Most importantly, the CPN-Maoist that had been waging an armed insurgency for the last one decade was brought into the new political system that has heralded a new phase in Nepal's political history. Similarly, the nation is in the process of holding the election to a constituent assembly election for writing a new constitution.
This is the process of writing the constitution by the elected representatives of the people?the issue that had remained unresolved since 1951. But the election to a constituent assembly seems to be delayed as the Election Commission has expressed the inability to hold the election in June this year. Early constituent assembly election is a must to complete the political process and institutionalize the achievements of the Jana Andolan. The eight political parties now need to arrive at a common decision on the dates and process for the constituent assembly election. This is the need of the hour and political parties and the government must express commitment for this. This alone would make the celebration of the Loktantra Day meaningful.
Source: The Rising Nepal, April 24, 2007
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