A Flag for a King: Gyanendra Shah must have seen this black flag today while heading for Indra Jatra ceremony in Basantapur, downtown Kathmandu. He should understand the volatile situation of the country and stop wasting time by attending religious ceremonies as King. Pic by Bikash Karki via Kantipur
What’s going on in Kathmandu? Encouraging news comes from the Parliament’s State Affairs Commettee (SAC) that decides to keep king out of the decision making process of the state of Nepal. According to Pradeep Nepal, a CPN UML affilated MP, said that the Gyanendra has become a ‘civilian king’. That might be a comment in hurry but this is indeed a good step to cut the wings of a king who can turn into an autocratic monster at any time. This decision is in line with the popular Nepali belief that monarchy in Nepal is totally irrelivant and the white elephant must be made accountable to the soverign people before chasing it away from society and putting it in the safety box (i.e, the histroy of Nepal).
Not Lakhe Dance: Maoist activists dance during the fourth National General Assembly of All Nepal Trade Union Federation, the sister organation of the rebel party, in Khula Manchha, Kathmandu. Pic by Shruti Shrestha via Kantipur
Recently, the administration is facing series of protests by different factions for one reason or the another. The traffic system in Kathmandu was disrupted today because of the Maoist trade union convention and and other protests including the one by Taxi drivers. Yesterday was the same situation. Apart from the cabbies’ protest yesterday, the kin of disappeared people, and temporary teachers had staged protests further disrupting the vehicular movement in Kathmandu.
This government of Seven Party Alliance needs cooperaton from all democratic pepole because this is OUR government formed by the mandate of OUR April revolution. This is high time that we supported this government. Maoists should understand that people have seen their power and now is the time they foucs themselves in the peace process, not in singing and dancing and lecturing.
But Lakhe Dance: A Lakhe Dancer in Durbar Square during the Indra Jatra festival whirls for the crowds while wearing a flamboyant red mask. Pic by Suzy Lafferty via Kantipur
King Gyanendra attends the Indra Jatra ceremony amidst heavy security.
Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to seperate the king from the religious activities of Nepali society. That means the monarch should be barred from taking part in any religions ceremonies as the king. Yes, he is free to exercise his religions rights as per the constitution of Nepal as a citizen of the country. But not as the king.
When king Gyanendra Shah went to take part in Indra Jatra ceremony organized in Basantapur today, the visit triggered a political controversary. Some people wanted to show him black flags and they were thrashed by the police and others wanted to chat slogans glorifying Gyanendra. Actually, both actions were not required. What is required is banning the monarch (but not individual persons like Gyanendra or Parash Shah) from taking part in such ceremonies. After all, Indra Jatra is a tradition that was in practice even before Shahs invaded Kathmandu. That means Nepalis will not die if a Shah stops attending the ceremony.
I am saying this because I want the person Gyanendra Shah to understand the volatile situation that the country is facing currently. A commentator in previous blog things that I am an anti-monarchy person. You don’t have to clarify that you are anti-AIDS or anti-TB becuase, if you are a sensible person, it is self understood that a human being is against such diseases. Monarchy, the system, for Nepal is no less a harmful disease. It doesn’t mean that Gyanendra Shah can’t have a role to play after the abolition of monarchy. As a responsible citizen he can take part in the nation building process. By DW
Living Goddess Kumari in Indra Jatra
King’s right to certify public documents clipped, king now a ‘civilian king’
KATHMANDU, Sept 6 – A meeting of the Parliamentary State Affairs Committee (SAC) on Wednesday decided to clip the king’s right to issue any order or enact new Acts as mentioned in the Public Documents Certification Bill (PDCB).
With this decision the controversy over the PDBC among the major allies of the seven-party government has come to an end as the SAC members agreed to scarp the provision in Clause 2 (A-1) of the proposed PDCB that gave the king the right to issue orders or enact government Acts and Regulations.
After five consecutive meetings, the SAC members finally reached a conclusion also to omit the phrase ‘His Majesty’s order’ from the PDCB giving an exit to the controversy.
The SAC meeting also decided to transfer the king’s right to certify public documents (enact government Acts and regulations) to Parliament. In absence of Parliament, the government will do the same through ordinances, the SAC meeting decided.
Members of Parliament opined that with the end of the PDCB controversy, the debate as to who holds the position of the head of state has also ended. The PDCB will now be tabled at the House of Representatives for its endorsement as a law.
MP Lila Mani Pokhrel said that now onwards handing over of credentials by foreign envoys and appointments of ambassadors to other countries would also take place as per the government’s decision through an official appointed by the government.
SAC Chairman and MP Hriday Ram Thani said that according to the amended bill now onwards the king would enjoy only the rights designated to him by the government.
MP Pradip Nepal said that with the amendment to the PDCB, all the constitutional, executive and legislative powers of the king have been transferred to the Council of Ministers and the Legislative. He also mentioned that now onwards the king would remain just a “civilian king”. (source)
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Comments
78 responses to “Nepal Politics: King in a Jatra and Other Protests”
Mr. Bedeshi:
I am going to assume that since you are an Isreali you want to fix everything everything with the gun. Maybe in Isreal’s case it cannot be avoided since there are people bent of destroying you. Even then dialogue and and a war of ideas is the only long term solution.
Please don’t export that mentality to Nepal. I am pissed off at the Maoists also. I would like nothing more than to send Prachanda, Baburam to one of those secret Isreali prisons in the Negev desert and let your interregators have a few weeks with them. Unfortunetly such thinking is not going to get us very far in Nepal. The army can’t defeat the Maoists and the best solution for us is to negotiate… only as a final recourse should we consider the use of force.
Mr. Pundit,
Thank you for your insightful observation. I did not know that you were a military expert aswell. Where did you get this idea that NA can not defeat the maoists? I think they were not doing bad even when the International community refused any military assistance. Look, if the US and decide that they are going to help the NA, i am sure it is not going to take a long time at all. After all, how many armed militia did you say they have?
why this drama, the fact is:
The Secretary of Nepali Congress already said that he is giving space to King as the head of state. that means now, they are already bought, they want to keep king.
This means they are fooling all the nepalese with these games which was played before and is being played till date and tom. also
Dear Cumar,
you write: lastly Mr B, i read your long blog(post# 29). but i have another comparison to point out there. that is, Mr Kirkpatrick from East India Company came to Nepal to save the last Malla king, just like Mr. ambassador Moriertry is trying to save the last king’s ass.
YOu got you historical fact wrong along with the date of Kirkpatric visit to Nepal. Do research if you want to be specific. The problem of Nepal is this- everyone is a Ditha (know-it-all).
B:
You don’t need to be a military analyst to see/know that the NA was getting its behind kicked. Tell me one major strategic victory the NA achieved in the years since it was unleased. The Maoists leadership was at large, they controled most of western Nepal and their autrocities was going unabiated. Plus the NA was becoming responsible for the disapearences and deaths of hundreds of Nepalis with human rights abuses spriling out of control. So please don’t give me that without western support bull. The military sanctions were in place after Feb 5th. What do you say to the years before that?
Look Mr. Pundit,
NA could not go around hunting for maoists as it was a state army. They could only defend themselves not attack. They were not even allowed to attack anyone unarmed where as the maoists could attack anyone any time. Why do you think the maoists are on the negotiating table today if they could defeat the army militarily? Why the sudden change in their policy? It is because they were being thrashed by the army and they needed a clever escape. Well, they have it now. When was there a major attack in the country even after 5th of feb? expcept for one on the unarmed personels working on construction.
The other fact you need to consider is that untill now India had been sheltering, sponsoring the maoists (at least not acting against them)which i am sure will change now specially with the king out of the picture.
As far as human rights bull shit is concerned, i agree that it be avoided as much as possible. However, they were is a state of war and mistakes will be made. On occasion crimes will be committed. Yes, i agree those culprits should be (should have been) punished. But even the world’s superpower is struggling in Iraq to maintain law and order and the news of rights abuses are numerous to say the least. With us, being the poorest (are we not) country in the world, expecting everyone to uphold the standards of the western world, i think is too much of an expectation.
Negotiations! well, do you think it is going to work? What is there to negotiate about? Look things are more complicated than, “solutions thru negotiations” or “upholding human rights” and shit. The maoists are either not coming to the mainstream democracy at all (with or without the weapons)or they will completely take over. There will be no election for CA. You do not have to believe me just wait and watch. Human rights are used as tools by organizations like UN to dictate and control poor countries like ours. No one can do anything about abuses by UK and US in guantana mo or iraq or afghanistan. Everyone keeps quiet even the human rights (abuse)watchers or Un or what ever other organization you can think of. The thing that counts the most is Power and Money. If you have both, you can lie to the world and attack a nation, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and get away with it.
Look Mr. Pundit,
NA could not go around hunting for maoists as it was a state army. They could only defend themselves not attack. They were not even allowed to attack anyone unarmed where as the maoists could attack anyone any time. Why do you think the maoists are on the negotiating table today if they could defeat the army militarily? Why the sudden change in their policy? It is because they were being thrashed by the army and they needed a clever escape.
Mr. Pundit: Well, they have it now. When was there a major attack in the country even after 5th of feb? expcept for one on the unarmed personels working on construction.
Mr. Pundit:The other fact you need to consider is that untill now India had been sheltering, sponsoring the maoists (at least not acting against them)which i am sure will change now specially with the king out of the picture.
Mr. Pundit:As far as human rights bull shit is concerned, i agree that it be avoided as much as possible. However, they were is a state of war and mistakes will be made. On occasion crimes will be committed. Yes, i agree those culprits should be (should have been) punished. But even the world’s superpower is struggling in Iraq to maintain law and order and the news of rights abuses are numerous to say the least. With us, being the poorest (are we not) country in the world, expecting everyone to uphold the standards of the western world, i think is too much of an expectation.
Mr. Pundit:As far as human rights bull is concerned, i agree that it be avoided as much as possible. However, they were is a state of war and mistakes will be made. On occasion crimes will be committed. Yes, i agree those culprits should be (should have been) punished. But even the world’s superpower is struggling in Iraq to maintain law and order and the news of rights abuses are numerous to say the least. With us, being the poorest (are we not) country in the world, expecting everyone to uphold the standards of the western world, i think is too much of an expectation.
Negotiations! well, do you think it is going to work? What is there to negotiate about? Look things are more complicated than, “solutions thru negotiations” or “upholding human rights” and stuff. The maoists are either not coming to the mainstream democracy at all (with or without the weapons)or they will completely take over. There will be no election for CA. You do not have to believe me just wait and watch. Human rights are used as tools by organizations like UN to dictate and control poor countries like ours. No one can do anything about abuses by UK and US in guantana mo or iraq or afghanistan. Everyone keeps quiet even the human rights (abuse)watchers or Un or what ever other organization you can think of. The thing that counts the most is Power and Money. If you have both, you can lie to the world and attack a nation, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and get away with it
If one is to observe all the human rights circus going around in the world, it is safe to say that if Adolf Hitler were alive today we would probably all (definitely all of the allies in Europe) be in concentration camps awaiting death by gasing or something worse then I can imagine. My point being that while the human rights groups of the democratic world are busy criticising and condemning their own peoples human rights abuses no matter how minor, the facists, fundamentalists and extremists are going about their business with greater ease then it would have been possible for them in the era of World War II and prior to that period.
A case in point is the situation with the maoists and our army. Might one remind the human rights people that while it may be your job and desire to monitor the government and it’s army (the protagonists) with great gusto, who the hell checks the antagonists, and more fittingly, who makes sure that they are contained so as these precious human rights are not violated again and again and again? – The protagonists, I strongly presume!
Can you believe this guy B? What sort of drugs are you on? The RNAs attempts to defeat the Maoists was pathetic. It was a ceremonial army totally unprepared to take on dedicated Maoists rebels-and it showed. I personally wished that the RNA succeeded in quelling the Maoist insurgency but when I think back now the RNA was just a big, big joke. My friend from Dolpa used to tell me that one of RNA platoon commanders in Dunai was so sacred of the Maoists that he used to drink himself silly every night.
Excatly I don’t know what drug B is on. The Moaists had complete control over Rolpa and much of Western Nepal they were running a successful parallel government. What victory are you talking about B? RNA men were dying everyday! What is this B talking about that the RNA couldn’t go around hunting for Maoists? Kirat is that true?
I know for a fact that the RNA made some major strategic blunders. I think it’s bcause there are too many unqulified people at the top brass but that’s another stroy. The point is I also wish the NA would have crushed the Maosits but it didn’t happen and we must at least try to presue a negotiated settlement. Only as a final and last option should we think about using military force again. I really hope it doesn’t not come to that.
Also B you cannot justify human rights abuses by saying the US/UK does it so its fine. The deaths and dissapearences of hundreds of Nepalis is a serious mattar that cannot be overlooked as a minor incident. This I think also is an indication that the NA needs to severe institutional reform.
Villagers were tormented by the NA and the Maoists. I am not one of those tree hunging human rights folks but the national army has to be held to higher standards then the Maosits.
actually RNA has copied the same strategy used by maoists, like enlisting feamles in infantry, also in cadets. which was already in practise in PLA. where female are platoon leaders n stuff, also female had more dedication n focus while fighting a battle, then RNA established new battallion for madhesis and matwalis only, which was already in practise in PLA.
desguise as civilians n use forces in small number for hit n run strategy. while the maoits had alrady moved to offensive strategy, like nepalgunj was already turing into battlefield, so was other major cities around nepal. kathmandu was in nakabandi. once there was some robbery in jhapa near highway, it was maoist who did the investigations not nepal police. such was the situation. so yeah guys r right its only talk thats gonna bring the solution. resume WAR, we will count double the death rate and human rights violation…..LONG LIVE THE PEACE
My point is tht Mr. Pundit, you guys have given your verdict even before you show any evidenct. The army can be taken to court now. So, why don’t you? Yes, you are talking about news on kantipur and “my friend said this or that” stuff. But look if you have (or anyone else) have any evidence take them to court and pursue justice. I am not supporting abuse of human rights and claim that they do need to be punished if they committ crimes. But what is this army bashing on blogs and newpapers. Why dont you file a writ in the supreme court? or are you saying the court is run by the army as well and justice can not be expected? My point is simply that, if you are certain that the NA was as abusive as you claim them to be, GO TO THE COURT like any civilised democrats like you would do.
B, the Army is fed and sustained financially from the taxes that we pay. It is a public institution. We critize it in the hope that it will become a better institution so that it can better protect us and our country. Are you telling us that we cannot critize our own Army but to take them to court? If that it is the case you should stop blogging on this site and go do what you have to do yourself.
B, Let be answer this foryou.
Kirat,
If you think that the NA is so bad then go to court. That is what B meant. The reason that there is a new provision that the armies can be taken to court is obviously because people should take them to court when they do something wrong. I have nothing against the army but you obviously have. You guys exxagerate everything against the army without any evidence. So, if you have a strong case, and you know of an army who has raped someone, take the guy to court. But stop the name calling if you can not produce evidence to support your theory. And you guys talking about the top brass of the army not being compitent, then why was it not changed even after your accomplishment of Loktantra. The top brass is still the same is it not. Even the suspended police officers are back now, thanks to your beloved GPK. Well, if the nationwide criticism of the politicians for more than a decade now, could not change them, you think your biased critism will suddenly change the insititution of security forces in Nepal. Get a life and realize your significance.
Gaunley, my point is that we are bloggers here. That’s all. We speak our minds on this blog. No point in telling me to go to court or my telling you to smack GPK/Prachanda in the face just because you critize him. Get it?
Kirat were you out for a month or so. It had been so peaceful around here without you. We did not hear from you for the entire august and then a few weeks in september. where were you?
wat a shit, wrong doing by army in the course of duty goes to court martial not civilian court, for which whole army institution has responsibility n obligation to do not us not by civilians. and the army court is not so indipendent, just look at the decision they made in maina sunuwars case, that was f**king pathetic……
I don’t have any intention of going to court. Look I was just pointing out that the army’s campagin against the Maoist was very unsuccessful! On top of everything it didn’t help that villagers resented their presence since they abused their powers. How were the RNA going to gather good intelligence when the villagers feel just as threatened and abused by the army men? It is unacceptable! The reality we all have to realize is that the NA is in need of some major reforms… that’s all … my suggestion was to help the NA.
Hi Dharti, don’t tell me you missed me! Most of the bloggers seem to hate my guts! I seem to rub people the wrong way a bit huh? I was really busy with company work during that time. I’m sorry but I’m back to disturb the peace!
Hi Bhudai, positive criticism seems to be lost with some bloggers here. By the way you should be glad you aren’t here right now. It’s anarchy. But still we are hopeful (and feel like idiots for being so sometimes).
kirat bro don’t worry let this people bark here, a matwali writes a comment its always crap for them, only theirs r great only thiers r genuine. smell ‘bahunbaad’around here. this is thier nature but we r aware, prepared, strong n united to deal them face to face…..
feja, no need for that. I’m sure you’re bigger than that.
Kirat:
I am glad you are still optimistic. However, I seem to get this overwelming impression from alot of people that the Maoists are going to call off their truce in October. Personally, I don’t think Prachanda and Baburam want to hide the the jungles for the rest of their lives but if nothing happens with the srttlement then I guess that’s where they are heading.
Bhudai, a lot of the bloggers here are quite alarmist. No I think the Maoists would call of the truce only if there is a major violation of the understanding between them and the SPA. The Maoists are quite smart about the geopolitics that are at play in Nepal. Also they are lording it over here right now, why would they call of the ceasefire that has catapulted them to such a position of power?