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By Rabi Raj Thapa

History advances in disguise; it appears on stage wearing the mask of the proceeding scene, and we tend to lose the meaning of the play. (Unknown) 

Since the arrival of former King Gynendra B. B. Shah at the Tribhuvan International Airport, it threatened the federalist leaders as the arrival of the late Trubhuvan had done seven decades ago.

But the government’s reaction to this great surge has been a draconian decree to suppress and undermine it immediately after. Truly speaking, the office of the Chief District Officer is behaving like a surrogate child of the Federal Nepal these days. Now they have used CDO Office to deal and contain self-evolving pro-monarchical movement that is going to be as difficult as Achilles Hills for all proponents of Secular Federal Nepal now.

A recent decree by the CDO’s office to use arbitrary power to contain and control citizens’ fundamental rights by prohibiting an assemblage of more than five within is absurd and condemnable. To impose a ban on the fundamental right to assemble peacefully; and to express one’s thoughts opinions; ideas and beliefs is a gross violation of the fundamental human and constitutional rights of any Nepali citizen.  

As a matter of fact, this oppressive decree from the CDO Office Kathmandu is an admixture of the arbitrary rule of the Rana rulers, oppressive apartheid South Africa’s rule and draconian act of Peace and Security 2028 BS of Nepal’s Panchayeti Rule to some extent. It is a paradox that the Federal Government still uses Local Administration Act 2028 which was used as an effective tool to suppress fundamental human rights by the Panchayeti government against both the Nepali Congress and Communists for decades.  

What is the purpose of banning assemblage before the office and premises around the Presidential and Deputy-Presidential palaces; the Office of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary; VVIP residents including main government administrative centers? Now the question is – why the top-level politicians and government officials feel so afraid and intimidated by pro-monarchist people who have always been non-violent and peaceful?

Just recent speech by leader of the Maoist Center Pushpa Kamal Dahal in the Parliament speaks volumes on the emerging crises of federalism’s future. His address was full of mixed fear and apprehension, defense of federalism, warning to the monarchists and invitation to the UML and NC leaders to come under the banner of federalism that looks impossible.   

Why should the federal government be afraid of any form of non-violent and peaceful democratic gestures like hunger strikes, peaceful demonstrations, and other types?

This is a total lack of democratic norms and is greatly objectionable.

As a matter of fact, the federalist have lately realized genuine people’s power as yet. They might have felt some but yet refuse to admit it as long as they possess abundant money, muscle and government power. But now, the people also have thoroughly understood that the federalist leaders don’t have the magic-wand to transform and change the destiny of Nepal and Nepali people. Now, they cannot fool the people like before, especially after the 47th President Donald Trump rebuked and labeled them all frauds. Similarly, the US Speaker of the House condemned for the US money spent on proselytizing  

Therefore, federalists in Nepal must realize and accept that if Nepali people go for Sanatan Dharma and Monarchy, federalists will not be able to stop them.  

Finally, the media instrument will be actively defending federal secularism as long as they find it lucrative. But they have always been overwhelmingly engaged in brainwashing through effective media misinformation, disinformation and propaganda. 

Therefore, now, the time has come to call “A spade a spade”; to make a sincere appraisal of the challenges and seriousness of the crises Nepal is going through. It would be better for all if the federalists came to realize that the best system Nepal ever had was the two-pillared “King in the Parliament” system which was far better than the current cosmetic and expensive three-tier-federal system copied from nowhere.