Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 9

Members of civil society today expressed mixed reactions to King Gyanendra’s address in Nepalgunj.

“It is positive that the King addressed monarchy as an institution, but it is crucial to hold round table conference including all the political forces to figure a way out of the crisis facing the country,” said Arjun Kumar Prasai, president of Nepal Jaycees at an interaction on ‘Royal address as perceived by civil society.’

Expressing sarcasm over political parties’ reaction, advocate Bal Krishna Neupane said it was not fair to assert the King as being pro-active just because his actions were not favourable to the political parties.

“Constructive monarchy is the same as an active monarchy. It may be appropriate to King’s desires, but would be inopportune and improper with regards to the wants of the public,” said Khagendra Bhattarai, president of Nepal University Teachers’ Association.

He said that even if the politicians fail to perform their roles, democracy is a self correcting process. Stating that the country can not handle republican set up, Keshav Bhattarai, president of Nepal Teachers’ Association said, “It is all about right time and circumstance.”

Sudip Pathak, president of Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, said that the King’s address was disappointing regarding the fact that he failed to identify any concrete solution to the current crisis. “We had expected the King to speak about the means to end violence and narrow the gap between the political parties and the King,” said he.

Sher Bahadur KC, vice-president of Nepal Bar Association, said that the opinion of the civil society coincided with the voices raised by the political parties.

“Even though the King’s emphasis on holding elections at the earliest sounds positive, it does not have much relevance,” said Jiv Raj Pokharel, chairperson of Nepal Engineering Association.