THT 10 years ago: People celebrate Loktantra Diwas, king prays

Kathmandu, April 24, 2007

The first Loktantra Diwas was celebrated today with gusto. In Kathamndu, the civil society organised a massive meeting at Basantapur.

Speaking to a sea of listeners, Maoist supremo Prachanda said the country should be declared a republic before an election to a constituent assembly to safeguard the achievement the Nepalis made a year ago. “The declaration should be made before it is too late,” he said. UML chief Madhav Kumar Nepal said, “UML today declares it would immediately declare Nepal a democratic republic as we are not in

UML chief Madhav Kumar Nepal said, “UML today declares it would immediately declare Nepal a democratic republic as we are not in mood to wait for any auspicious’ date.” He added that the UML has already shown its determination to abolish monarchy and set up a republican set-up which was what the people wanted last year.

Human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar said the people have enough strength to declare a republic from the streets. Earlier, a mass rally was staged from Gongabu to Basantapur. The mass did not let NC-leader RC Paudel address the Basantapur programme.

It started hooting as he stood up to deliver his speech. People chanted slogans against him charging him with supporting constitutional monarchy. Some on the dais were hurt as the gathering threw stones at him. Paudel left after speaking a few words.

“Everybody’s speech should be listened to in democracy and democracy did not come to shut somebody’s mouth,” he said.

Commoners yet to taste ‘fruit of loktantra’

A year has passed since loktantra was established in Nepal, but the commoners feel that it is still far from reality. Thousands of people flocked to the Basantapur Dabali to celebrate the first anniversary of loktantra today at a function organised by the civil society organisations.

However, they regretted that though one year has passed since the democracy was restored, people’s wishes expressed through Jana Andolan II had not been fulfilled due to

However, they regretted that though one year has passed since the democracy was restored, people’s wishes expressed through Jana Andolan II had not been fulfilled due to ineffective leadership of the eight political parties. “The leaders have not come out of traditional mindset,” said Resham Giri of Sindhupalchok.

“We sent them to power hoping that they will justify the importance of the Jana Andolan II, but they just got engaged in the battle to get better portfolios in the government. If they don’t change this attitude, we will have to go for Jana Andolan-III,” he warned.

Similar was the opinion of Laxmi Rijal of Tikathali, who said loktantra gave freedom of expression and freed people from the terror of the autocratic ruler, but failed to meet the aspirations of the martyrs. “They are not treating Jana Andolan injured well, let alone families of the martyrs,” she lamented, adding that the delay in holding constituent assembly (CA) polls pointed to their inefficiency.