Nepal is going through a major political crisis these days. The slogans like the arrest of former Home Minister Kamal Thapa and the slogans like ‘Raja Aao, Bachao’ have again raised this question, should the monarchy return again in Nepal? In 2008, Nepal adopted democracy by ending the monarchy. But in the last 16 years, Nepal has faced many political and economic troubles. In such a situation, people are now asking questions whether there can be any better option than democracy?
Old tradition of monarchy in Nepal
The monarchy in Nepal was started in 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah. He united Nepal and protected the country from British rule. Later King Tribhuvan started democracy in 1951 and King Mahendra implemented the panchayat system in 1962. From 1990 to 2001, Nepal had a constitutional monarchy, in which the king was the head of nation and the elected governments worked. This period is considered a successful political model. But the monarchy was abolished in 2008 after the 2001 royal family murder and 2006 mass movement.
Why is democracy failing?
After 2008, governments have changed repeatedly in Nepal. In 16 years, 10 have become Prime Minister. Leaders of political parties have been fighting only for power. Leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist leader Prachanda of Nepali Congress have been accused of corruption. KP Sharma Oli spoke of nationalism, but due to China’s policies, the country got into crisis. Madheshi leaders were also limited to the politics of their areas only. The unemployment of the youth, large -scale abroad migration, and cultural identity crisis is further increasing all these problems. The identity of the Hindu nation was abolished, which many people consider forcibly imposed.
Nepal entangled between India and China
Nepal’s foreign policy is also not clear. Governments of Nepal have failed to balance between India and China. The delay in implementing the federal system and political interference in constitutional institutions has broken the trust of the people, the secular republic that became in 2008, was created not under the will of the people but under the pressure of the Maoist rebellion. Today people have started wondering whether the constitutional monarchy can be a better option for the country?
Constitutional monarchy is a new option?
Constitutional monarchy means the king should have limited rights and the elected government should work. This model has been successful in countries like Britain, Japan and Thailand. If such a model is adopted in Nepal, what can be the benefits of this?
1. Symbol of the nation: King can become a common identity for all castes and groups.
2. Protecting Hindu identity: The traditional cultural identity of the country can be saved.
3. Political stability: A stable system can become a stable system rather than repeatedly changing the government.
What are the options before the government?
The government of Nepal should talk to them instead of suppressing the voice of the public. Democracy cannot be successful until it has strong institutions and honest leadership. The return of the monarchy does not mean the return of the old autocratic monarchy, but a system that can balance between tradition and modern democracy. Nepal stands at a turn today. Now it is on the people and leadership of Nepal about which path they choose from scattered democracy, or of a balanced and stable monarchy.
