On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
The country is surrounded by multiple crises. However, these crises did not surface overnight. If we go through the past decades’ record, the country’s downgrading journey started with the 1990 political change. The country adopted a multiparty democracy by replacing the partyless Panchayat democracy under an active monarchy. After the introduction of the multiparty democracy, the King remained a constitutional monarch. However, the governments run by political parties didn’t pay attention to the greater interests of the country and the people. In the name of economic liberalization and a free market economy, many key industries under government ownership were disposed of. The remaining government undertakings were made a political recruitment center. In this way, all the government undertakings were either closed away or became sick. On the other hand, rampant corruption flourished as all the political parties developed an undisclosed consensus in institutionalizing corruption. More seriously, the Nepali leaders recognized India as a power center and started buttering the Indian leaders to become established leaders in Nepal. Such a trend gave a wide space to the Indians to play in Nepal and they started micromanagement in Nepal’s internal affairs. Encouraged Indians, in the process of weakening Nepali patriotism, Nepali sovereignty, independence and indivisibility, mobilized different groups, including solely sponsored the Maoist launched “people’s war”. With the plan of Bhutanization of Nepal, the 12-point deal was made in Delhi against the Nepali establishment. The 2006 April uprising was the result of the 12-point Delhi deal. Since then, our leaders started to act under Indian instruction; all essential organs were destroyed and now, the nation has reached a non-functional state.
The economy is the backbone of the nation. First of all, the foreign powers hit the economy. Now, Nepal has turned into a consumer nation as all our industries have been ruined. Youths are compelled to go abroad seeking jobs. Today, remittance revenue has become the main source for earning foreign currency. Nepal has already fallen into an economic trap. Bureaucracy has been politicized. Look at the muscle-show between the Nepal Police and the immigration staffers at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The foreign puppet leaders serving the foreign powers introduced trade unions even in the civil service. Now, the civil service, which is considered to be the permanent government, has become the puppet of the political parties.
The present scenario is that the nation is passing through different anomalies. It seems it is very difficult to overcome the challenges. Nevertheless, hopes are still there as we see patriotic people coming down to the streets to save the nation. They have understood that the foreign puppet leaders of the day should correct their behavior and attitude, otherwise, the people in the streets are ready to oust the leaders who are shamelessly involved in daylight loot.
The Nepali culture and tradition don’t accept the present political system of federalism, secularism and republicanism. Of course, the Nepali people are not against a democracy but they are against anarchism performed by the leaders in the name of democracy. The leaders may exercise democracy but they are not allowed to perform anarchism. There is a need for a monitoring organ which could guide and advise if the leaders start performing against the democratic norms and values.
Today, we are listening to the louder voices of the people asking the King to return to the throne. In fact, they are not asking for an active monarchy but seeking a monitor who would play the role of protecting their motherland.
The best solution, in this regard, could be to return to the 1990 constitution giving space to all the parties and powers, otherwise, if delayed in accepting this peaceful quest of the people, the people in the streets may start violent agitation. In such a situation, we cannot say about the future of those corrupt leaders in power.
To conclude, the present system cannot function and cannot save the nation. It would be wise if the existing political parties tried to listen to the messages from the streets and develop an understanding for the greater interests of the nation and people. Otherwise, sooner or later, they would be punished.
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