On/Off the Record

By P.R. Pradhan Former King Gyanendra has given a wake-up call to all the patriotic forces. In his Dasain greetings to all the Nepalis at home and abroad, the former King has also described the worst scenario in the country. The former King, in his Dasain message, has remarked that the present politics has not been in line with our traditional Sanatan ideals. “The political system is entangled in itself, its group and sub-groups. Ordinary Nepalis suffering from the Covid-19 epidemic, many natural disasters, unemployment, high prices and instability, are unable to experience true service and public welfare,” the former King has presented the true picture of the society. He has expressed his utter dissatisfaction with the rampant corruption, a limited group of people -- especially those in politics and administration – enjoying the fruits of democracy. He has also cited deviation in the judiciary. On the foreign policy front also, the former King has pointed out, “We are experiencing pain from the intention of weakening our sovereignty, national unity, foreign policy focused on national interests, and a challenge on our security interests.” Finally, the former King has concluded, “Even though the current situation of the country has forced us to take a different responsibility, we have come to realize that democracy without monarchy and monarchy without democracy cannot be relevant in a country like ours.” Indeed, since the departure of the institution of monarchy, we started to experience anomalies, challenges and threats to our sovereignty and independence. A group of Indians, who were involved in formulating the 12-point agreement including SD Muni, Shyam Sharan, Ranjit Rae, among others, time and again, are giving the alarming message to us. Those political leaders, who were instrumental of the Indians under the 12-point deal, are the main actors of the day. They are unable to defy the alarming statements of those Indians. To recall, just recently, Shyam Sharan had opined that the departure of the institution of monarchy was in favour of India’s long-term security strategy. Again, Rae, in his recently released book, has prescribed the Nepali leaderships to follow the Bhutan model. Rae is not hesitant to describe Nepal as not a fully sovereign nation. Although these are objectionable statements by the Indians, our present-day political leaders are unable to counter them but they are involved in developing an environment in transforming Nepal into an India protected nation. It becomes clear that the Indians are comfortable with those political leaders who are performing total surrender to India. Rae, the then Indian ambassador to Nepal, has also cited the Indian micromanagement and the slavery mentality of those bureaucrats and political leaders. Understandably, Nepal has become a playground for the Westerners and those pro-West Indians. Nepal’s Sanatan tradition is being continuously attacked. If such a trend will continue, our glorious history and civilization are going to be finished. Nepali foreign policy is in a mess today. Our geopolitical situation doesn’t allow us to give up the policy of non-alignment. Unfortunately, the leaders of the day have forgotten the real base of Nepali foreign policy, which was formulated by the Great King and unifier of Nepal, Prithivi Narayan Shah. In the course of following the Indian path, we are heading towards the Indo-Pacific club compelling China to enter Nepal to counter the Indo-West game plan. Finally, some questions this scribe wishes to put forward to the patriotic Nepalis within the country and abroad – whether we want to convert Nepal into an Afghanistan?; whether we want to convert Nepal into Fiji?; whether we want to make a new Kashmir?; or whether we are happy to get the Bhutani status? The present political system, without doubt, could be the possible answer to the above questions. If we love the nation, if we want Nepal a sovereign and independent nation and if we want our Nepali identity, definitely, we have to remove the present political system and return to the 1990 constitution. We should be united under one umbrella and launch the movement for returning one step back as we have already experienced the “offensive move” that the foreign puppets are lauding. To conclude, the Nepali democracy cannot be flourished without a mechanism of check and balance and this role can only be performed by the institution of monarchy only.