Can Nepal support a republic state?

The Nepalese Maoist and many Left leaders are obsessed and gripped with the idea of making Nepal a republic state. How could they establish sovereignty just by removing monarchy without any logical and rationale reasons? This would only be a 'Herculean Attempt' without any logic and even absurd. History is proof that the kings of Nepal have never acted against the country's sovereignty. In Nepal opposing monarchy is as easy as it is difficult to support. But those who are true nationalists cannot speak or act by forgetting the ground reality of the country because monarchy in Nepal is related to the country's unity and independence. If there was no monarchy in Nepal and there was no China on the north, Nepal would not have remained as an independent country. It was about 32 years ago democratic movement was gaining momentum in Sikkim. After Lendup Dorje became prime minister of Sikkim went to meet BP Koirala at Banaras to put forth a proposal to remove Chogyal (King) of Sikkim. Giving his advice BP Koirala had told Dorje that if Chogyal is removed Sikkim would lose its sovereignty and it will cease to become an independent country. BP had told Dorje to recognize and to be aware who is making them fight. But Dorje did not listen and like BP said Sikkim lost its sovereignty and became a state of India. India is facing a similar situation.

In Afghanistan, after the Kingship was abolished in 1973, hundreds of thousand people were killed in the war and conflict between the communists supported by the then Soviet Union and the Mujaheddin supported by America. Hundreds of thousand others had to take refuge in Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan virtually disintegrated because of war and foreign power play. After the Russia-supported Najibullah was hanged the Talibans came to power and since then Afghanistan is beleaguered by war, conflict and struggle.

In Cambodia also, in the name of abolishing the Kingship, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot killed millions of people. Thus, the plot for republic could be a trap to finish off Nepal because even if it remains as a country, this country may become like North and South Vietnam when there is election for the president. Will America remain quiet by allowing a communist to become a president in Nepal? If there is a real possibility of the spill of streams of blood why should we think about if it will do something good for the country? Why should an innocent country like ours become the tug of war of big powers? But the country's nationalism has reached to a point, which is virtually impossible to reverse. There are forces that are looking for this moment. Therefore, in such a critical hour, especially the Maoist must not link Nepal's nationalism with international communist ideology and their movement.

At this time, Girija Prasad Koirala who had to bear the brunt during the direct rule of the king had tried to prove the rationality of monarchy in Nepal and this has made him the focal point of Nepal's political discussion. But his leadership will be recognized only if his thinking becomes his party's ideology. Nepalese politics has become tainted by the practice of going for monarchy when one is in power and opposing it when one is out of power. The CPN-UML has put a serious stake to its political future by betting on politics for position. But to bargain for nationality with foreigners for post and money is nothing but to compare oneself with the Quislings like Jay Chand and Lendup Dorje. Therefore, the Maoists and all other parties must be able to respect the people's wishes on a sensitive issue like monarchy and become clear about status duties and responsibilities of the head of the state. Nepal is the home of all Nepalese including the King and every one of us must be equally concerned about how this country could maintain its independent existence and identity.

There has been a drastic rise of foreign meddling in Nepal. Indian leaders and their intelligence chiefs come here and put pressure to get rid of monarchy. Nepal's present state is like just before the 'infamous' Kot parba (the mass killing of nobilities before Jung Bahadur established the Rana oligarchy) when foreigners give swords in our hands and inciting us to pull down the foundations of Nepal's independence and sovereignty. That is why it is time for us to come to a consensus to establish the monarchy within a boundary and also the people's representatives set a limit for themselves. There is a huge mass of people who still see the need and necessity of monarchy in Nepal.

Therefore, going to the people with the question of whether the monarchy should be kept or removed would be would result in the Pyrrhic victory no matter which side wins and will become the starting point for disintegration of the country. Therefore, it will be absurd and tragic to raise the issue of whether Nepal should remain a monarchial country or a republic. Therefore, we, Nepalese are forced to live together in harmony and concord because of our geographical and ethnic diversity. Everyone knows that the country, which had taken the responsibility of protecting Sikkim finally gobbled it up. Those who judge the present situation of this country feel and fear the same thing. So, let's not sink this country knowingly or unknowingly. Nepal is formed by the aggregation of many smaller states such as Bajhang, Mustang, Palpa and Tahanu. But already there are attempts of demeaning Nepal as a country. The reinstatement House of Representatives of 2063 has degraded the status of the country by working towards converting it into territories and provinces. If this is allowed to continue, no one can say that there will not attempt to change the country's very name and the national flag. It could be that there are other forces, which are conspiring against this country by putting the Maoists at the front.

In 1999, there was a plebiscite in Australia whether to accept the British monarchy as its head of state and majority of the Australians voted for the existing arrangement. Even in Canada, the British monarchy has been accepted as its head of state. If they can accept the Queen of Britain as their head of state, why can't we in Nepal keep monarchy, which had the principle role in unifying this country, and modernize it. It is true that all monarchs are equally good and monarchy is an institution, which primarily functions according to its limited circle, and it is also true that bad and evil advisors are the cause of the fall of monarchy. Therefore, all those who worked to isolate the King from all political parties after February 1, 2005 and put question on the existence and national sovereignty are liable to be punished. Why didn't' and couldn't they aware the king of the real situation. Similarly, all those parties, UML, NC (D), RPP and Nepal Sadvabana Party and their leaders such as Madhav Kumar Nepal, Surya Bahadur Thapa, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Lokendra Bahadur Chand who accepted Article 127 of the constitution of 2047 and joined in the government must also take responsibility for this situation. In politics, everyone must be evaluated on the basis of their conducts and results. The cause of the country's downslide is because of the intellectual cons and defrauders, smugglers, corrupt and those involved in nepotism and favoritism. Until such elements are sidelined from politics and government, the country cannot find a correct path.

Nepal is called the Shangri-La, and the World Hindu Conference had passed a resolution that the earth of Nepal was worthy to be bowed down by Hindus all over the world. This is the highest honor Nepal could receive from the international community. Nepal is the country where both Hinduism and Buddhism originated and it is a scared land for more than a billion Hindus and Buddhists. Nepal's prestige and honor would elevate further if this country is declared a Hindu and Buddhist country, instead of a secular one. Therefore, we must not take up anything that would become too burdensome to carry on. Nepal does not have any basis or foundation that could support republic. Carrying the slogan of a republic is not the solution of our country. Nepal needs a permanent institution that can shoulder the responsibility for its independence, national unity and sovereignty. Nepal needs a credible reply and response from all other parties that they are going to abolish the monarchy for-ever.

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Can Nepal support a republic state?

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