On/Off the Record
By P.R. Pradhan
We jumped into the multiparty democracy in 1989 following a joint movement between the then Nepali Congress and different Communist factions sponsored by the Indians, as a compromise, King Birendra handed over power to the leaders in the people’s movement.
The year can be remembered as the year of the beginning of the destruction of Nepal. To note, during the same era, in China, Nepal’s immediate neighbour, measures for economic reforms were introduced which has advanced China to the present global economic empire. China then had focused on rebuilding her economy and became the second-largest economic giant in the globe and Nepal destroyed all the pillars strengthening her economy. The examples of the two particular countries have been cited here to explain how a wrong policy and wrong leaders can destroy a country, whereas, how a perfect policy and good leadership can make a country prosperous!
The background of the people’s movement was that Indians had put pressure to King Birendra to hand-over foreign affairs, water resources and security to India by degrading Nepal at the Bhutani status. When King Birendra refused the Indian proposal, the people’s movement was accelerated, in result, Nepal achieved the multiparty democracy.
The multiparty democracy gave birth to the Maoist insurgency that too sponsored by India. Nepal was pushed towards a bloody conflict, which continued for one decade killing above 17 thousand innocent Nepalis.
In foreigners’ interests, in 2006, the second people’s movement was witnessed. The movement introduced “loktantra” with secularism, federalism and republicanism in the Indo-West interests. Within fifteen years, the system has been totally failed. Still, a section of leaders sponsored by foreign forces, are advocating in for the present system, whereas, the fact is that, if we will continue the present system, there is a serious threat that the nation will be categorized as a failed state and Nepal may lose her sovereignty and independence. Therefore, the need of the hour is to abandon the present constitution as soon as possible. May be reformed 1990 constitution could be the best possible outlet to rescue the country from the present crisis.
Rule of law and transparency are the two strong pillars of democracy. The 1990 constitution spoiled the country as the leaders didn’t respect and follow the rule of law and transparency. The country’s economy was destroyed in foreigners’ interests. Nepali economy gradually pushed the country towards an import-based economy contributing trade deficit at an alarming level. Country’s profit earning government industries were spoiled by creating an incline on the unemployed population. Now, this force is compelled to go abroad for a dirty and risky low-quality job in foreign countries. Around one million youths are shedding their sweat abroad. The country’s major source of earning foreign currency has become remittance revenue. On the whole, all the organs needed to run the country were destroyed in these three decades.
Surely, the Westminster model of democracy didn’t suit for Nepal. The same scenario has been seen in Myanmar also. It has proved that a successful system in any particular country cannot become successful in all other countries. Particularly, talking about Nepal, we have a rich civilization abided by our own culture, religion, tradition and social values. When we adopt a system by discarding all our characteristics, surely, we will not become successful. Therefore, we need to reform the Westminster model according to our society or say, we have to adopt the system with Nepali characteristics along with empowering the corruption control organ, functioning rule of law and proper check and balance mechanism.
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