Photos By Rajaram Gautam
A boy looks on as a protester adds fire
RNA were heavily deployed in today’s curfew
Clashes took place in Banasthali at 1:30 pm today
Protesters ready to burn king’s effigy
Onlookers and Bonfire
Around ten thousand people participated in today’s mass meet in Kirtipur
Professor Krishna Khanal has emerged as a prominent civil society leader
Lasses and Glasses: People listening to speech in Kirtipur today
United We Blog 
Comments
181 responses to “Eve of Final Protests Through Lens”
Dancing in the streets!
Thanks for the updates!
I got this news here before anywhere else on the net had it.
It seems a more comprehensive change of direction than last friday’s, but it will be important for parliament to maintain pressure on the old snake (can he really be trusted???)by the parties keeping a high degree of agreement and making some pretty quick decisions…..
best wishes to you all
hello Acidburn
Well i see it this way. SPA and same old leaders have learned some very HARD LESSONS.
They have some understanding with Maoist, which will help for a peace talks with them.
There will be election (of parliament & CA) which will give new height for a revolutin in peaceful manner. I also hope for some new and good leaders. It will definitely take time but i am hopeful.
On this occasion, we must not forget to punish those who were exceptionally harsh to the people and violated the basic human rights of the people.
I think King gave at least two days for the bigger culprits to flee. Isn’t that clever ?, otherwise people may do BHATIK KARVAHI.
Yes SPA is supportive of this announcement. We still don’t know about Maoists though, I hope that they don’t dare to miscalculate the situation. If they want to cash the current anti-royal sentiment by coming out with some aggressive and provocative statements then things will never calm down.
Most likely SPA will formally invite Maoists to join the political mainstream after Friday. It is our lawmakers to decide if by any chance Maoists can be included in all party government when they don’t have any representation in the parliament. But the main task of the new form government will be disarming Maoists, removing this ‘terrorist’ tag, and include them in some sorta way. But yes now most of the thing depends upon our comrades. Hope it was covered well in 12 pack agreements ; )
I wouldn’t want to get too vengeful but yes those who exceeded the norms should be punished-as per law.
I wish I could be as optimistic. the fact is, the maoists want a “republic” and never wanted the monarchy. Why do you think this will change things now? There was no mention of a constitutional assembly to permanently change the constitution. We have to ensure that the King can never again take over powers and totally ignore the will of the people…let’s hope your victory rally is not a bit too premature. but if peace can come out of this, then god bless you all. Sadly, i have lived in Nepal on and off for too many years, and have seen too much change, too many prime ministers come and go, and mainly too much short sightedness and total forgetfullness of the people!! You seem to have very short memories.
Layman,
I guess Maoist wont agree, they will definetly ask for the republic, if such things happen then we are back 2years with the problem as well which is more harder and bigger than that of 2 years before. SO there is no solution, so I think people of nepal need to think cooly that what they need to do tomorrow. This is the time not to be happy seeing the choclate in that hand but time to think when and how to eat that chocklate.
Hey shadow, don’t be a wet blanket sister! The Maoists will be given an opportunity to come clean. A CA is in the hands of the re-instated house. C’mon this is a step in the right direction. We can celebrate this at least!
hey guys forget about retributions, state law will take care of it.
hey guys forget about retributions, let state law take care of it.
What people are doing there man? I decided not to sleep tonight and keep on updating news from around the world.what u guys think? I just called one of my friends in Hyderabad. He is watching the News in TV and says that he is still not convinced about how maoists will come to mainstream……..What u guys think? is king'[s proclamation complete and can it solve all the problems of the Kingdom?
Both Media and People, both try to establish bias opinion with the help of hypothetical and debatable “hearsay” rather than reality on the ground. Every country goes through political upheaval before it finds common ground for a political system that may fit to run her civic polite. If we engage giving foolish example of comparative governance of Panchayat system and with 12 years of corrupt political rule of those political thugs, we probably keep arguing on our EGOISTIC BIAS rather than finding any real solution or ideas to address Nepal’s woo. No matter how bad or worse the Panchyat system was, a 12 years span of democratic governance should transform any country to a functioning developing nation, rather than a failing state as Nepal is turning to become one very soon.
King is symbolic constitutional head. When media as well as this so called “pro-democracy” protesters and the politicians are pointing finger at His majesty the King, we must not forget that the present political turmoil was created single handedly by those corrupt political parties hungry for power and by the Maoist terrorists who took the full advantage of the time to cast the veil of terror by killing innocent civilians, security personnel, blowing up schools, hospitals, government establishment etc. They have definitely succeeded to bring the whole country under their knees. These mayhem have been going on unabated in an unprecedented level while whole world became the silent spectator of such butchery with an occasional BBC’s trashy reporting of the despotic Hindu King rather than any credible condemnation. (The BBC was more interested in maligning the Nepalese Hindu customs by printing the story of 8 year old Girl’s trauma during Kumari Pooja rather than killings of the innocent by the Maoist). The outcome was horrible as we see now. The poorest of the poor people of Nepal left with no earnings, no livelihood or any shelter. The children were forced to join the Maoist or the family faces the dire consequences. The struggling economy further faltered. All residential and non residential businesses started either shutting down or left the country for good. When this horrible crisis was continuing for a while, what happened then to our concerned pro- democratic citizens and politicians? Why no body thought of declaring Black Day for the killings of thousands of innocent Nepali citizen by the Maoist thug? Where those political whores who are now shedding crocodiles tears and shouting”Prajatantra ko Mirtyu” death of Democracy now? Even secretly meeting in India for Madame Sonia’s blessings rather than to find any credible political solution working with the King.
When His majesty the King stepped in to stop further spiral of innocent civilian deaths, destruction of public properties, these greedy political leaders did not hesitate even to join hands with those Maoist whose hands have been drenched with civilians innocent blood. What can a king do in such situation than not making any move? It should also be seen from a King’s perspective that he did not have any other choice but to put his own life in the line of fire to put a stop to this politically explosive situation. And this he did under extreme difficult political situation when most of the powerful Western countries and our neighbor India ridiculed his action as undemocratic and autocratic arrogance even though, India needed to play more constructive role helping His Majesty to bring normalcy in the region rather than to invite the Maoist terrorist leader for an audience and keep issuing threat to stop supplying arms to RNA when the arm supply was very necessary in combating Maoist terrorism. In order to save the dignity of our Nation, His Majesty has no other alternative but to seek arms to China or even from Pakistan.
It is a pity that we always see things through the western eyes rather than to have our own way of looking things. Even the media those who sale their editorials for few hundred bucks, act as if their only interest is to protect the Western values and interest rather than our’s (Nepal). When the Maoist insurgency started, our corrupt political leaders never paid any attention even though many of our treasure were destroyed one by one. So did the media. Just one of the major incident that happened few years back, the Maoist blew one of Asia’s biggest Rice factory in Rajapur, Bardia when many poor people lost their livelihoods in that locality and Nepal lost huge foreign exchange earnings through exporting quality rice. This type of terrorist act against our Nation is still continuing.Few recent carnage by the Maoist as evident from various media is no doubt a crime against humanity. What is Maoist trying to achieve? Are these their political motto in destroying everything until Nepal reaches the Stone Age? How about this mayhem never even qualified for our learned member’s condemnation or a BLACK DAY? Unfortunately, we only learned to bark when our Western masters told us that “Democracy is in danger”, the little King is the root of all evils, even though he is entitled to govern the country under exceptional condition as permitted by the Nepal’s constitution (Clause 117).
It is time to refresh our memory of Nepal’s history of establishment of democracy. When the Rana regime gained power acting as the puppet of the British East India Company and in those primitive days with a weak governing system, the Rana’s put iron clad governance on King’s power and kept His Majesty almost under house arrest blocking all outside connection. Finally, the present King Gyanendra’s grandfather, His majesty King Tribhuvan, revolted openly against the Rana regime. The despotic Rana then tried to kill King Tribhuban, who ultimately took shelter to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu to save his life, and later fled to India. Later on, with the help of the Indian government, his majesty King Tribhuvan returned back to Nepal overthrowing the Rana regime, hence helping to sow the seeds of PRAJATANTRA, the beginning of present democratic norms. In BS 2007 Falgun 7, Tanka Prasad Acharaya, an ordinary citizen, became the Prime Minister of Nepal with the help of His Majesty King Tribhuban. History tells us the Nepal’s Royal had always given importance to the National interest and the people’s welfare of Nepal above their own self interest unlike the corrupt political parties.
While saying this, what I am trying to understand from many like minded people and various interactions that whether it is of any use to protest against the King’s action now, when no body will argue for him and his all actions are not completely out of controversy. But what possible solutions we have right now to save our country. Protesting and observing BLACK DAY probably will not fetch any viable solution for such a huge political and economic mess that has been piled up because of decade old corrupt political miss- governance. I think we should give His Majesty King the benefit of doubt and to give HIM a fair chance to govern and to see whether he can reverse at least the culture of killings and destruction that has been mimed our tiny Nation as implemented by the Maoist terrorists in the name of Political change. If the KING fails, history will not forgive him. But at least we know if he can reverse this present political crisis, even partially, to start some sort of conciliatory democratic process as we see in the step in up- coming municipal election that may be a huge benefit for the welfare of our people and our country. The present scenario of Nepal demands immediate political intervention to stop and reverse the present act of crime against humanity and downgrade economic spiral. Is there any alternative solution which may stop and revitalize the democratic system that will accommodate only the interest of the people of Nepal rather than the SELF political interest of the corrupt politicians?
shadow,
There are many constitutional obstacles in restoring the parliament itself. Granted there will be the parliament, but we don’t know it will be valid for how long. I can’t do maths now but I am sure that it doesn’t have a lot of time. It has two very important tasks, election of new parliament and the election of constituent assembly ( which looks like inevitable now ). For both, you need a proper environment. The free movement of people, the free movement of political parties in every district with any fear and most important the election without any arms or Maobadi army.
King can take power now, there is no doubt. But do you seriously think that he will dare it again , soon ? We have plenty of time to ensure that he can’t do that again.
If maoists doesn’t change their track (word)they first wants CA election. They will take whatever decision CA election will make.
Did the King say anything about releasing any political prisoners?
BetterNepal,
election for constituent assembly can’t be hold for atleast another year. How can you ensure a fair election in current scenario ?
It is a pity that we always see things through the western eyes rather than to have our own way of looking things. Even the media those who sale their editorials for few hundred bucks, act as if their only interest is to protect the Western values and interest rather than our’s (Nepal). When the Maoist insurgency started, our corrupt political leaders never paid any attention even though many of our treasure were destroyed one by one. So did the media. Just one of the major incident that happened few years back, the Maoist blew one of Asia’s biggest Rice factory in Rajapur, Bardia when many poor people lost their livelihoods in that locality and Nepal lost huge foreign exchange earnings through exporting quality rice. This type of terrorist act against our Nation is still continuing.Few recent carnage by the Maoist as evident from various media is no doubt a crime against humanity. What is Maoist trying to achieve? Are these their political motto in destroying everything until Nepal reaches the Stone Age? It is a pity that we always see things through the western eyes rather than to have our own way of looking things. The present scenario of Nepal demands immediate political intervention to stop and reverse the present act of crime against humanity and downgrade economic spiral. Is there any alternative solution which may stop and revitalize the democratic system that will accommodate only the interest of the people of Nepal rather than the SELF political interest of the corrupt politicians?
details, details, they are very important I agree. But the bold strokes are already there!
The SUPRIMACY OF PEOPLE always prevails…….. and history has repeated once again….I don’t think this is a DHOKA because he said he will agree with the ROADMAP of SPA so THERE WILL BE SAMBIDHAN SABHA……………WE WILL WRITE OUR OWN LAWS………………… COZ WE HAVE CREATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets join hand for DEMOCRATIC, PEACEFUL ,STABLE and most of all PROGRESSIVE NEPAL……. Lets all help in this political transformation and social transformation from our side…….
“WE SALUTE ALL THE MARTYRS, INJURED AND ALL THE NEPALESE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THIS MOMENT”
{Did you guys see his face??? It was worth watching…haha…. He gave this because tommorow’s hurricane could take him away!!!!! Don’t this this is his KRIPA…this is our ACHIEVEMENT}
LET US ALL PARTICIPATE IN THE “BIYAJA JULUS” FROM TODAY MORNING….. LETS CELEBRATE THIS HISTORIC MOMENT WHICH PROVES WE ARE THE ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JANATALAI DHOKA DINEHARU BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JAY NEPAL!!!!! Jay GANATANTRA!!!!
Sathiharu………..Raja le kun article anusar reinstatement gareko ho parliament?
king does not talk about any articles but he talks about Constitution.i hope that he does not play any dirty game further.
Gantantra Jindabad.
Hey Kirat,
Why do you think this is the step to right direction,this is the same old situation that we had face it two years before, where there is fighting for the satta and the trend of commission as blah blah blah. Common this is the situation which is good for only neta’s not for general people like us.
Ghumera ta pheri maoist problem pheri and we are on same old crap situation. So ahile hami janta utheka chhau, yauta niskarsha ma pugnu parchha jasto lagachha.
Gantabya pugnu bhanda pahile dherai bhulbhlaiya aaunchha, and we chould be stop or stock on that.
I am not understanding most of you guys. What will change if Gyanendra revives the parliment. YOU GUYS ARE MORON..The king will still be king and will have a lot of power. Wait till Paras burns your house. Don’t get happy yet…SPA and more specifically are weak when it comes to talking to the king directly. If they don’t promish to go to CA immidiately, this will again boil to the sreet. CA is a pre-condition for laying down the arms and not the other way around
If these leaders run the country properly then king won’t be taking power back. coz he don’t need to.
This is a welcome speech by this, so far, arrogant king. Army’s statemnt is good also, they will respect democratic govt. Now it is the seven party which should proceed with the further agenda. All party government,and CA etc. Nitty grity to sustain democracy is at the disposal of the parties now. Peace must prevail now. I want them to be honest, impartial and true represantative of the people and good politicians for the sake of country and people.
From Baburam Bhattarai’s own mouth. how quickly we forget what Gyanendra has done. how can you let him off free and clear? Forget the horrors he has cause din the past? Tomorrow get out there and fight for an end to MONARCHY. KEEP PARLIAMENT KEEP DEMOCRACY REVISE THE CONSTITUTINO BUT BRING GYANENDRA AND HIS CRONIES TO JUSTICE FOR THE CRIMS THEY HAVE PURPETRATED…
“The Essence of the Royal Regression (from an article of Baburam Bhattarai)
In his every public utterances after the coup, including the ‘royal proclamation’ of February 1, Gyanendra has laboured hard to sell the theory that his present move is designed to restore ‘peace’ and consolidate ‘multi-party democracy’ by exorcising the ghost of ‘terrorism’ [i.e. the ongoing revolutionary People’s War led by the CPN(Maoist), and this is meant only for a definite time-frame of coming three years. While talking to a group of selected media persons on February 24, he has particularly taken pains to project himself as the real Messiah of ‘democracy’ and the exorcist of ‘terrorism’ and has demanded of the parliamentary political parties and the entire members of the international community to cooperate with him in this grand venture against ‘terrorism’. Thus, he has sought to project himself as the true follower of the US President George W. Bush in the international crusade against ‘terrorism’ and begged everybody to grant legitimacy to his autocratic military regime at least on that count. Of course, he seems to have learnt a few lessons from General Musarraf of Pakistan.
However, Gyanendra’s such political gimmicks are not cutting much ice among the masses, as he has a tainted image as the hardliner autocrat even within the palace since his father’s and bother’s days and is particularly hated among the public as the real fratricidal and regicidal culprit in the palace massacre of June 1, 2001. Particularly after his induction of the old palace stooges of known anti-democratic persuasions like Tulsi Giri and Kirti Nidhi Bista as his principal political associates and his abduction of all fundamental and democratic rights of the people with the contrywide declaration of emergency, the essential nature of his despotic military rule has been thoroughly unmasked. Despite his incessant parroting about his commitments towards ‘multi-party democracy’ and ‘constitutional monarchy’ , all his real practices so far including the crackdown on political parties and their leaders, free media and human rights activists and blatant trampling upon the limited democratic provisions of the old constitution, leave one in no doubt that the supine parliamentary democratic system has been snuffed out and the autocratic monarchy restored in the country.
Acid, If G can bow down low because of people power I have great optimism that the SPA will not dare disobey. What are the SPA without support of the people?
Acidburn,
yes maybe you can think we are back to square one, but you can’t deny the fact that it is an achievment. How can you think Netas are going to benefiet now when they have seen this huge mass of people who are well informed than they were 10 years ago.
As I said we still don’t know about Mao’s reaction but very likely they are going to show positive signs. What was your ‘gantabya’ by the way ?
After a long long long time i am feeling good for Our country now.
hey BetterNepal.. which world r u living in? Do you really believe that the maoists will obey the decision of anything, specially if it is against them? No way, the leaders may wish to but the lower level will not let it happen…
Gantabya : get rid from all the corupted Neta and revolution that direct to peace and development.
Democracy … which is for the people By the people and to the people but not by the people for the neta and to the neta.
what do you think glade
BREAKING NEWS
————-
PARLIAMENT RESTORED !!!!
hear KINGS address (TODAY’s)
http://www.nepalisongs.info/html/getsong.php?song_id=554
From the interview the BBC did with Baburam Bhattarai in Feb. of 2006. I think you nepalese also have short memories in terms of what the leader of the maoists actually has said! I think you assume that the agreement with the SPA settles it. I hate to dissapoint you, but I think this is far from the end, reading Prachanda’s own words
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4707482.stm
sure this is the last day of protest, but it’s just a begining, now we must be sure this doesn’t happen again
SPA have shown POSITVE response towards today’s revival of house of representatives.
SO TOMORROW it might be BIJAY JOOLOOS…
now parties MUST ACT sensibiliy, FIRST SOLVE maoist PROBLEM …., then make steps towards REMOVING this MONARCHY ASAP…
Senior members of Nepal’s seven-party political alliance on Monday welcomed King Gyanendra’s move to reinstate parliament and said they were likely to postpone protests that have engulfed the nation.
“It is the victory of the people’s movement,” said Arjun Narsingh KC, a senior leader of the Nepali Congress, the country’s largest political party.
He said the alliance would respond formally to the king’s proclamation on Tuesday but was likely to postpone a major rally planned for the capital on that day.
This what Reuters says……….But I think Tomorrow’s showdown should continue as a demand for CA as wellas for Victory of Nepalese People.
Hooooray!!!
SPA have shown POSITVE response towards today’s revival of house of representatives.
SO TOMORROW it might be BIJAY JOOLOOS…
now parties MUST ACT sensibiliy, FIRST SOLVE maoist PROBLEM …., then make steps towards REMOVING this MONARCHY ASAP…
Hey pradeep
Yes i know for a lower level maoists it will be very hard because they are used to looting, killing,kidnapping people and getting ransom money. In a simple word easy money without working no hard job what-so-ever. If Baburam and Prachandra has any dignity they will agree to whatever result CA election will bring.
If they dont agree fight will be going on but country will be in better shape and strong to fight with them. Because Public of Nepal will agree with CLEAN CA election
First monarchy be abolished so that maoist will come to mainstream, Parliament should be competent to declare the election of Constituent Assembly. King address has not touched other aspects but let’s be helpful. Everything can be gained by this step.
And you don’t believe that you can get rid of netas in the democratic manners ? Isn’t that what democracy is for ? How does the revolution get rid of netas you don’t want ? Bring them in Tudikhel and use the public execution methods ?
You hate netas, I hate netas. We all had bad experience with them, but it’s our fault that we never managed to get rid of these people. It is not the fault of democracy. Imagine a scenario where there is democracy without any neta , what kind of situation that would be ?
Glade:
If tomorrow same Netas are handling the country how can you expect the better tomorrow of Nepal. How can you expect the king wont repeat the Magh 10 again. and how can you expect that Mao will keep quite.
US constitution says…for the people, by the people and “of” the people…
You are soo brave!
Yes We all hate these old corupted Neta but this is the time, time of nepalese being united, and this is time that we need to eliminate the choose all those corupted neta and eliminate them, even king if required.
Later on you will be also alone and I will be also alone but no one can speak for this revolutionary work.
Acidburn,
There is no guarantee that Maos will keep on quiet. But going back couple of days when Netas were offered the Kursi which they actually drool upon, they managed to reject it. And now they are positive for the new offer. We can just assume that their secret 12 pacts agreement had covered this situation.
You need netas right now, and you have no choice. But you also need to accept the fact that they are not there on the kursis for ever. They must and they will have to hold a new parliamentary election very soon. Don’t you think we can get some new netas then ?
And get a grip, to perform a revolution you will need a neta. Without a neta, it is just an anarchy
TYO BUDO LE SUJATA KO NAAM PAKKAI LYAUNCHHA MANTRI PAD KO LAAGI.
I think we must not forget that young generation was ahead of all in this revolution. So PMship must go to the New Face. We are really fed up of the old people. There must be something new yaar.I feel allergic when I see the face of Giraja and Makune as PM.I think everybody will agree with me on this proposal.
We should try to do that by this blog.
You write hundreds of time that we want new leaders.Those who have already become Ministers and tainted must not be there. All the ambassadors ahould be recalled immediately. In ambassador posts also, we want new people.Because, when you give to the same people, they alwys misuse the authority and they cannot come with the new ideas. Thats why we always remain backward.
err Layman ..
Shouldn’t the new government based on the parliament ? is Sujata an MP ?
Layman if that budo brings in Sujata as a minister than you and I must toss a coin to see who gets the pleasure of shooting both of them point blank in the forehead!
Ye we need a neta, but not a corupted neta, These neta who cannot manage there party itself how can we expect them to manage the country. Can you name me even one party who is in orginal and fully one party till date. All the party had been broken into pieces.
Had you seen the Rang de bashanti, exactly like that we need to do for the revolution. Then Nepal could be good place to live and we could be proud of our country.
Yeah..Rang De Basanti style. According to my inside sources, Girija will be going for a morning walk tomorrow morning. Let’s go on a motorbike and kill him and everything will be fine after that. Wow, Nepali haru le 15 barsa samma sochna nasakeko samadhan, dhoti haru le euta film bata nikalyo. Hail Rang De Basanti!!