SAARC and Nepal: Hoping for the Best

The recently concluded SAARC Summit in Islamabad was the central focus of the Nepali dailies last month. There is a sudden sense of optimism in South Asia with respect to SAARC and its future projects. The Nepali print media has also projected a positive response to the future of SAARC after the conclusion of SAFTA agreement. The Spotlight (9-15 January, 2004) in its cover story “Cautious Optimism” says that though the SAARC Summit in Islamabad seems to be an effort towards a united South Asia, it needs to be seen as to how sincere is the current initiative. The Spotlight observes that India’s mindset would determine the success or failure of the recently concluded SAARC Summit.

Nepal’s Political Entanglement

Nepali Times (9-15 January, 2004) in its editorial ‘The Impossible Triangle’ portrayed that the present power struggle in Nepal is between three forces: The King, the parliamentary parties and the Maoists, which has reached a ‘triangular stalemate’.  In a ‘tug-of-war’ among these triangular forces, the people were forgotten, who really won the sovereign rights in the 1990 constitution

In Janadesh (23-29 January, 2004), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) chief ideologue Baburam Bhattarai condemned the agitating opposition political parties’ softness towards the Monarch and argued for transformation of ‘tri-polar’ political tension into a ‘bi-polar’ equation.  Bhattarai suspected for a coalition between political parties and the King and said that it would be a suicidal move, if these parties get enticed by the king’s offers again.  He praised the present student movement against the monarchy and expressed hope that ‘they (students) will remain in this fort of struggle until the movement reaches the logical end of a republican state.’  He quoted about the success of the ‘revolutionary forces’ across the country and said chances are high that ‘the present movement will be able to sweep away the autocratic monarchy and usher in a Nepali republic.’

Monarchy under Controversy

In a Nepali Times (30 January -5 February, 2004) Column, C.K. Lal views the high handed ways of the Monarchy in Nepal. He indicted the palace, for its expenditures which has reached an all time high at a time when the Nepali economy cannot afford it. Mr. Lal wrote that the recent Palace decision to import luxurious cars worth for Rs.142 million and the irony of grand felicitation ceremony to the Monarch organized in the Nepalganj district amid all political confusions has burdened the treasury in Nepal. The author in this column contends that the Monarchy needs to behave more responsibly in order to safeguard the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the state and welfare of its citizens.

In Ghatana ra Bichar (28 January 2004) daily, Rajesh Dhungana has scrutinized King Gyanendra’s first foreign-media, interview in Time and opined that the King’s interview gives the impression that politically the nation is in the process of retracing its step back to an autocratic regime.  The author indicted the King for portraying his 4^th October move as legitimate and necessary before the international community and intending to continue as ‘active monarchy’.  He suggested that the King’s course of action could be detrimental to the institution of monarchy in the long run and ‘it could spell the beginning of the end of monarchy in Nepal’.

Relief for Refugees

Rajdhani (19 January 2004) daily, highlighted the dismal condition of the refugees, who were forced to leave home due to ‘People’s War’, living under extreme poverty without any compensation or relief fund from the Government.  Reports said more than 5,000 families in Birendranagar alone who have migrated from Jajarkot, Kalikot, Jhumla, Dailekh and Surkhet districts, are struggling for one meal a day. Also it said the people are disgruntled by the government’s recent move to provide immunity and rehabilitation to the surrendered Maoists but the government has not established any special relief program for refugee families.

Students on the Roads

In Gatibidhi (10 January 2004) daily, students union leader Rajendra Rai lauded the ongoing successes of the student’s anti-regression movement and condemned the Army’s high handedness on the students. The movement began with demands for the restoration of parliament or the formation of an-all party government.  Now, Rai declared that they would not stop the movement until an all-party government was established and some changes in the constitution were made ensuring that power was restored to the people permanently.  He warned that the country would face bloodshed if the political parties would try to end their movement.  Rai criticized the campaign for ‘constitutional monarchy’ and said ‘Monarchy is responsible for reversing Nepal’s democracy time and again.’  In conclusion, he accepted the difficulties in unseating the King and said, ‘we will be satisfied if his powers are curtailed and democracy restored.’