Complex Crossroads

Added: (Thu Oct 12 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Complex Crossroads

BY Kamala Sarup

"We are, at present, at a very difficult and complex crossroads, with many challenges ahead of us. At a time like this we should not be fighting. Instead we should be working for the interest of the nation. It is my desire that there should not be differences over small issues but work together to fulfill the needs of the people. Upholding nationalism, multiparty democracy and social justice has been our top priority. The Nepalese people aspire for law and order in the country, harmony in the society and improvement in their living standards."

The above address of the King at a reception attended by around 100,000 people in Biratnagar, was highly welcomed by Nepalese people living abroad.

The address to the people by the King in Biratnagar shows that Nepal's monarchy is for democracy, democracy is for the country's development, and a clean political environment and corruption-free governance are for a prosperous future of the country. Even the politicians have protested against corruption and other malpractice but they have done this only while out of power. While they are in the government, they never fail to exploit the regulations and indulge in corrupt practices.

The Nepalese people abroad remain deeply concerned about how the Maoists insurgency has grown to threaten the future of the country. They feel both sides should have reaffirmed their desire for a peaceful political solution to their differences. Only a productive and sustained dialogue on all issues, will prevent future crisis and bring peace to Nepal. It is true that a democratic system doesn't work if social structures do not change. It is true we cannot eradicate poverty and inequality by killing people. Peace, good governance and people oriented policies are indispensable for economic strength. As long as the Maoists use violence, it would be difficult to pursue programs to combat poverty and it would be difficult to introduce social development. Even we Nepalese cannot forget how recently, human rights groups revealed the rights violations of the Maoists, including executions of dozens of school teachers who refused to submit to extortion demands and the torture and murder of suspected informants and political opponents.

Recently Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Narayan Singh Pun, said the government has finalised a programme to disarm, demobilise, rehabilitate and reintegrate the Maoists. This decision will soon get cabinet approval, he had said. The objective of the programme is to make the misguided Maoists realise that there is an alternative to war.

"Those who cannot do justice to Nepal, those who cannot believe in the sound judgement of the people and those who cannot align themselves in favour of peace will stand condemned by the Motherland. Above all, the Nepalese people aspire for law and order in the country, harmony in the society and improvement in their living standards. It is on our shoulders that the grave responsibility of fulfilling these aspirations lies. Safeguarding Nepal's independence, national unity and sovereignty rests on the close and intimate relationship between the King and the people, and the will of the people has always provided the guiding light for the institution of Monarchy in Nepal. Our wish is that all of us walk together on the path of harmony and not let petty issues divide us.

Patriotism must form the basis for the resolution of all feuds, while the greater good of the nation and people must be taken into consideration in finding amicable solutions to mutual differences. All of us must work together in the creation of a dynamic and prosperous new Nepal with a constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy as its cornerstones, His Majesty said. This statement shows that we must not forget that democracy must grow from the local level so it is urgent to protect the market economy, corruption free rule and transparency. A complex situation has been created in the country because of embroilment in an individualistic tradition rather than democratic norms and values in the past twelve years. So political culture is what is needed for the country to develop.

Even King Gyanendra said in his first message to the Nepalese people on June 4 "It is the tradition of the Shah dynasty to govern the country in deference to the people's consent and wish. The faith, reverence and respect which the Nepalese people have for the institution of the crown are the lifeblood and continuity of the institution of the crown". The Nepalese people cannot forget how the country is facing its worst politico-security and economic crisis in its history.

The Nepalese people know the present crisis cannot be solved without resolving the Maoist problem. The institution of monarchy was, therefore, particularly important when political institution building was critically required to stipulate the expected behaviour of all forces but very difficult to achieve. Monarchy often played the role of a safety valve for the society against the threat of imperialism and native radicalism. We can say that late King Birendra proved an illustrious Monarch.

The Nepalese people should not forget the main thing that makes democracy wrong is that it doesn't seek out what is best for the citizens, but simply does what the majority of the citizens want. The Nepalese people are still remembering how in response to the popular will multiparty democracy was established.

These are but some of the reasons why the King has always been respected and revered in Nepal.

Copyright Kamala Sarup