29 May 2019, Kathmandu
Historically, Nepal had many small kingdoms and the modern state was formed with the Unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah on December 21, 1768. Prior to 2006, Nepal was a kingdom. Nepal is now a federal democratic republic. Its recent history has involved struggles for democratic government with periods of direct monarchic rule. From 1996 until 2006, Nepal suffered from a Civil War between government forces and guerrillas of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
On December 28, 2007, the Interim Parliament passed a bill and declared Nepal to become a Federal Democratic Republic. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly officially implemented that declaration on May 28, 2008.
Nepal continues to be in perpetual transition with fragile political stability. As a result, democracy is at risk. Leadership and government should timely address such flash points to ensure we remain on a peaceful democratic path and be focused on improving delivery. Political parties need to address public distrust by pledging transparency of party finance, regulating conflict of interest, implementing anti-corruption policies, enforcing internal party democracy, ensuring inclusive and representative mechanisms within and outside of the parties, and applying new approaches to citizen engagement.
Democracy can’t flourish in poverty, poor governance and weak institutions. The government should prioritize strengthening institutions, systems and good practices to ensure the rule of law and good governance to create an enabling environment for equity, justice and development.
Federalism has played a key role in development of many nations across the world. It requires a proper system of governance that can lead to the formation of effective federal states. The concept of federalism is old but at the same time it cannot assure peace and prosperity to every nation unless internal issues are understood properly. It may lead into development whereas at the same time it may also lead into chaos if not dealt with properly. Nepal is a developing country and measures for development must be initiated if country has to survive of its own.
The concept of federal state can put forward the voice of many suppressed group and help them gain their identity but at the same time if such measures are not addressed properly it can lead country into disaster. We must be able to see the challenges ahead in order to secure our national interest and more importantly national integrity.
National integrity counts for national power so it becomes important for a nation to remain united to protect its sovereign status. Federalism promises inclusiveness which is important for any nation to grow. It promotes development of skilled manpower and hence important for overall development of a nation.
Nepal is called the Shangri-La, and the World Hindu Conference had passed a resolution that the earth of Nepal was worthy to be bowed down by Hindus all over the world. This is the highest honor Nepal could receive from the international community. Nepal is the country where both Hinduism and Buddhism originated and it is a scared land for more than a billion Hindus and Buddhists. Nepal’s prestige and honor would elevate further if this country is declared a Hindu and Buddhist country, instead of a secular one. Therefore, we must not take up anything that would become too burdensome to carry on. Nepal does not have any basis or foundation that could support republic. Carrying the slogan of a republic is not the solution of our country. Nepal needs a permanent institution that can shoulder the responsibility for country’s independence, national unity, sovereignty and safeguard the people.
The situation where the nation stands today needs to be addressed in a way that Nepal could manage political stability and also revisit its foreign policy aspirations through diplomatic channels. It will require immense dedication to achieve this. It is high time that Nepal reorganised its democratic norms and values and at the same time maintained effective diplomatic relations best suited to promote our national interest.
