KATHMANDU, Nov 18: Former Speaker and a prominent civil society leader, Damannath Dhungana, passed away on Sunday after a brief yet intense battle with liver-related ailments. He was 83.
Family sources said Dhungana was rushed to the hospital after he suddenly lost consciousness at his residence in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-9, Battisputali at around 1 PM on Sunday. Dhungana was found unresponsive upon his medical examination, according to Frontline Hospital, where he was taken for immediate medical attention.
Doctors immediately assessed his pulse, heart rate and breathing but found no signs of life. Doctors had administered CPR for more than 30 minutes before declaring him dead, according to the hospital. Dhungana was in home-based medication for the liver-related ailments for the past few months.
Dhungana is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. His last rites will be held on Monday afternoon. Sources said Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire has asked the government to make necessary arrangements to perform his last rites with full state honor, recognizing his contribution to Nepal's democratic movement and social transformation.
Late Dhungana had a long and impactful career, beginning his political journey during the Panchayat era by establishing a student organization. Over the years, he earned recognition as a senior advocate, human rights activist and a prominent civil society leader.
In 2028 BS, Dhungana, a successful lawyer, became the General Secretary of the Nepal Bar Association. He also ventured into journalism and teaching and played a significant role in bringing the then-rebel Maoists into the mainstream politics, ending the decade-long violent conflict in Nepal.
Former Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana passes away
Dhungana was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in the parliamentary election held in 2048 BS from Kathmandu and served as Speaker for three years. After losing to CPN-UML candidate Bidya Bhandari in the mid-term election held in 2051 BS, Dhungana dedicated himself to peacebuilding efforts, including acting as a facilitator in the government-Maoist peace talks.
Although he stayed away from active politics after losing in the mid-term election, Dhungana was NC candidate from Bhaktapur constituency number 2 during the general election held in 2074 BS. He is known for his accommodative nature—something rare in party politics—and his ability to speak his mind even if that was critical to leaders or the party he supported.
In particular, Dhungana is remembered for the role he played as a Speaker of the House of Representatives after the restoration of multi-party democracy in the country in 2046 BS and the role he played as a civil society leader to end the decade-long Maoist conflict that claimed the lives of at least 17,000 people.
Dhungana, along with late Padma Ratna Tuladhar, had played a role of a mediator between the government and the Maoists during the initial peace negotiation and later during army integration and constitution drafting process through Nepal Transition to Peace Institute (NTTPI). Most recently, he was in dialogue with the conflict victims and political party leaders to amicably resolve the long-pending transitional justice issues at a time when the government has been trying to revive the TJ bodies to settle this issue.
Leaders across parties lauded the role of Dhungana as a Speaker, who played a neutral role in the parliament. They maintain that all should learn from Dhungana the kind of role the speaker has to play in the parliamentary system and the kind of role the government and the opposition parties are expected to play and the way the Speaker should treat the opposition parties in the parliament. He famously said that the parliament belonged to the opposition parties.
Although appointed as Speaker by the then NC President Girija Prasad Koirala, late Dhungana never gave an impression that he belonged to the NC while discharging his duty as the Speaker and was loved equally by the leaders of all parties.
Top leaders including President and PM recall his contribution, offer condolences
Recalling his unparalleled contributions to Nepal’s democracy, human rights and social transformation, high-ranking government officials, politicians and others have expressed their condolences on the death of Dhungana.
In his condolence message, President Ram Chandra Poudel stated that Dhungana's contributions to the democratic movement are unforgettable. He wrote on social media: "Dhungana, who made a name for himself as a politician, senior advocate and civil society leader, will always be remembered for his contributions to the democratic movement."
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli expressed his grief, saying he would always remember Dhungana's contributions. "I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of my friend Damannath Dhungana, the first Speaker of the House of Representatives elected after the restoration of democracy in 2046 BS," Oli wrote on social media. "I recall his contributions to the movement for the protection of human rights and the promotion of parliamentary practices in Nepal."
Speaker Devraj Ghimire described Dhungana as an ideal figure. In his condolence message, Ghimire wrote: "He made a special contribution to Nepal's constitutional and parliamentary history. He will be remembered by the Nepali people for his impartial role as Speaker in upholding parliamentary values and norms."
Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center) Pushpa Kamal Dahal described Dhungana as a leader of the civil society movement. "The news of the passing of respected Damannath Dhungana, an important figure in Nepal's democratic movement, former Speaker, and leader of human rights and civil movements, has deeply saddened us," Dahal said. "Nepal and its people will always remember his contributions to the country's political and social transformation."
NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba acknowledged Dhungana's significant contributions to democracy, human rights, and the judicial sector in Nepal. "His contributions to Nepal's democracy, human rights and the judicial sector were significant," Deuba wrote on social media.
Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai also paid tribute, recalling his instrumental role in the peace process. "We will always remember with respect his contributions to Nepal's progressive political change, the protection of human rights, and especially the peace process," Bhattarai wrote on social media.
