Rajat KC: Moving Through A Transitional Period

21st century is the century of freedom and democracy. So far no any other political options are seen effective than democracy. In the changing context of the world, democratic wave is flowing in such a way that no matter where a country is situated that country cannot stay aloof. Mainly, western countries are enjoying juice of democracy as they have developed that on the basis of their own geopolitical and various other conditions. Almost all countries from third world are also sifting towards the democratic system. Despite facing political instability and various kinds of challenges they are adopting western model democracy for well being and freedom of the people. Quite a few countries are successful to transform the old political system to democratic system gradually and peacefully but bulk of them are paying expensive price in the path to establish democratic set up. Most important aspects in this regard is need of change by carefully coping with the reality. Nepal is also one of the countries among them that lie on this category.

Democracy is not a new political system to Nepal and for Nepalese people. First time in 1951, parliamentary democratic political system was established by replacing 104 years old autocratic Rana regime. Aftermath, about a decade long period becomes period of chaos and uncertainty. The cart of democracy could not move forward successfully so that parliamentary democratic system was replaced by the party less Panchayat political system 1960. Though, the official ban was imposed on the exercise of political power in the name of any political party, there was freedom of political exercise in individual or free identity. Hence it was also tried to define as a democratic system based on Nepalese reality. Many political leaders joined Panchayat by leaving their respective political parties, whereas bulk of them went on exile to continue their struggle from foreign soil.

Due to lack of adoptability as per the need of time that system also could not move forward more than 30 years. In due course, with the success of Janandolan I, Panchayat system was also replaced by multi party democratic political system with constitutional monarchy in 1990. The new constitution was drafted by a committee with full participation of all major political force. The constitution was promulgated on 1990 by late King Birendra, at that time which was defined as one of the best democratic constitution of the world.

The reestablished parliamentary democracy of 1990 was also could not move forward as it was envisioned. As a result, in the beginning of 1996, a constitutionally elected communist fraction left the parliament to join the arms insurrection together with illegal under ground communist fraction to fight against the existing regime.

11 years long bloody so called people's war has taken lives of almost 15,000 people. A number of political exercise were undertaken but almost all were could not accelerate to achieve desired objective in the country. That landed to the situation of Royal takeover of February 1st, 2005. With the political change of 2006, the constitution known as best in the Nepalese history is also scraped and replaced by interim constitution recently.

Before royal move main dispute was between the political forces and the rebel force, but after that situation was created in such a way that which created an environment of political polarization. Had there been no such type of move from the monarchy, virtually it was impossible to create such a strong platform where SPA and the Maoists join their neck to each other. As a result Janandolan II was lunched. With the success of Andolan country achieved unexpected political changes and as a result country is moving towards the election for constituent assembly to decide the faith of the country and people.

In this transitional period multi issues are coming in the forefront as per the Maoist strategy to destroy existing set up by replacing their revolutionary model. Some issues have turned in the opposite direction and which itself has poses serious threats to national interest. In fact some of them become more harmful to the Maoists itself which they had not visualized earlier and becoming pain on their own neck.

Change is inevitable in the world, the only matter is how it comes and how far that will affect the society and the people is main concern. Enough thought is required while raising various issues in the present context. Every country has their uniqueness that is actually needed to be preserved and maintain in best possible way. Particularly religion, ethnicity, culture and tradition are such important aspects which need certain change to make it timely but have to be preserved for the preservation of the whole society that belongs to.

Now, we are moving through one of the most difficult time of our history. It has been proved that no matter how good system is if the man behind that system is wrong then that system will surely be failed. That was the main cause for failure of democracy in the past decade. Same leaders are in key position now and success of present transitional period is in their hand. Therefore, especially those who are ruling the nation must have positive attitude and inclusive approach of democracy to address basic demands of all social and political forces. If certain groups will only take advantages and discard others that will be against the norms of the democracy and will be another blunder on their credits to betray their motherland.

Hegemonic approach must be ended and every one should allow exercising their democratic rights, unless otherwise the whole peace process may be turned up meaningless by another serious disaster in the country.

ENDS

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