In earlier times, the lawyers would mark the annual Law Day, which falls on Thursday this year, and commemorates the auspicious landmark occasion in 1951 when the Supreme Judicial Act was issued for the first time in the country.

Uttam Shrestha, a lawyer from Lalitpur was upset hearing the news of the killing fields of the country where hundreds of security men had died within 24 hours. “Instead of reading good news like rule of law, human rights and consolidation of democracy on this special day, it is unfortunate to confront stories of mass killing,” said another student of Tribhuwan University, Mandira Bhandari.

Not only common citizens but officials posted in top ranking judicial seats also share the similar thoughts. “The Law Day is an occasion to express respect in the judicial system. This system plays a great role to strengthen democracy; it can help to curb corruption. But it is pity that anti judicial activities have prevailed in the country,” said Judicial Council secretary Kashiraj Dahal.

“Nepali people have been marking the day under emergency. It is a challenge to celebrate the event when people’s basic rights have been suspended,” said Sashi Chandra Mishra, chairman of Nepal Bar Association, Bhaktapur.

Under the shadow of emergency, lawyers’ marking the day called for the end of the problem as soon as possible as it was making the judicial system paralysed.

“There is a drastic fall in the numbers of writ petitions in the various courts as people are facing difficulties to assert their legal rights,” said ex-chairman of Kathmandu Bar Association, Kedar Karki. “Insecurity has prevented people to assert their rights in the villages and there is a psychological pressure even in the cities,” he said.

“Rule of law is the pillar of democracy, only a due process of law, politics and civil activities can ensure the rule of law,” said Human Rights Commission member Professor Kapil Shrestha. “People with guns in their hand may enjoy absolute power for some time, but it is bound to become a counter productive step ultimately. No one can abuse power in the rule of law and media has a great responsibility of playing a role of the watchdog to ensure no one with a gun in hand misuses the power whether during the emergency or not,” said the human rights activist.