P.R. Pradhan: Destabilizing Age-Old Institutions

We all know, the authorities of the new Nepal are trying to destabilize the two age-old national institutions -- institutions of Monarchy and Army.

If the King had not handed over power to the seven-party alliance, the country would have witnessed more bloodshed. But the SPA leaders seem to have forgotten this. Also, those agitators of that time, are enjoying the democratic power handed-over by the King but they overlook this.

Instead of expressing gratitude to the King for handing over executive power to the agitators, they are trying to remove this institution.

The King was fighting for democracy, lasting peace and prosperity for the people. But, visible and invisible external elements became active to fail the King, by replacing the democracy of that time by a totalitarian regime now. Today, this SPA government is not functioning independently. They are guided by the unseen elements which are forcing the government to destroy all democratic norms and values, rule of law and introduce an undemocratic regime.

Under the new Nepal, the Nepal Army, another century-old institution, has been facing contentious humiliation by those actors of the new Nepal.

The Army chief was recently called by the Parliament to provide information about the security situation. When he refused to speak in front of the journalists present there, the meeting took place in the absence of the news reporters. The Army chief might have given the message that the security issues are sensitive and many things cannot be disclosed to the press.

Although the meeting took place without presence of the press, the next day, all the dailies carried out full text of the Army chief's briefing to the MPs. It is clear, those irresponsible MPs disclosed these information to the press. This indicates how much the MPs, as well as the journalists, are concerned about such sensitive issues related to national interests! No surprise, a noted leader of the smuggling gang in Tatopani border, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, was elected from the efforts of smugglers and could enjoy the power as assistant health minister some years ago. He is known as a smuggler MP. This is an example only. All the MPs in the King restored parliament had enjoyed duty free vehicles but most of them could not afford the vehicle and sold them by obtaining a huge amount of profit. They sold their duty free vehicles just to get a few hundred thousand rupees. Some MPs are even found involved in diplomatic passport scam. The concern of the Nepalese intellectuals is that if they dispose duty free vehicle and diplomatic passport for their personal gains, they can do everything for other such gains. What can we expect from these MPs then?

Continuous border encroachment by Indians, one-sided construction of dams by blocking natural flow of rivers by Indians and the citizenship issue are the burning issues. But so far, these MPs are not concerned about them.

GIRIJA PRASAD-MADHAB KUMAR DIFFERENCES

Madhab Kumar created a hue and cry saying that Koirala didn't respond to Madhab's phone call. Madhab even threatened the UML will quit the government.

Meanwhile, my one colleague said, such threats has no effect on Koirala, as Koirala knows better the remote control switch of Madhab – whom, this scribe wishes to say "India" than his family name "Nepal".

MADHAB'S PLIGHT

Madhab Kumar panel in the UML student organization faced a very bad defeat.

A sole panel known to be close to Bamdev Gautam, (unofficial spokesman of Maoists) captured the student organization, the forefront of the UML party.

This has not only weakened Madhab Kumar's organizational strength, but also created Maoist infiltration in the UML organization. What will be the political fate of Madhab, the coming days will show.

HAPPY DASAIN

Although the parliament proclamation declared Nepal a secular state, all the Nepalese people are busy celebrating Dasain, the biggest ever festival of the Nepalese.

Of course, still on the constitutional legitimacy of this proclamation, the Supreme Court is yet to give a verdict on this as a case has been registered there. However, a matter of surprise is that, although, as per the parliament declaration, Nepal is a secular state, the government is giving holiday during the Hindu festivals only. In other small Hindu festivals such as Guru Purnima, Teej, among others, there is government holiday but in Ramjan, Id like Muslim festivals and Christmas Day, English new year like Christian festivals, the government of new Nepal has remained silent.

In a secular state, those other religions too have equal rights. Therefore, we demand to treat those people of other religions equally.

ENDS

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