However, a popular singer who played a crucial role in attracting masses to the anti-monarchy movement in 2006 is dismayed to find “monarchial attitudes” among the top leaders of major political parties. [break]
The country on Wednesday marked the 6th republic day amid a souring of relations between civil society and the present technocratic government formed after the 11-point deal reached between the four political forces--UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF).
“Though monarchy has been abolished, monarchial attitudes persist among some top leaders,” says Rabin Gandharba, who was at the forefront during the people´s movement in 2006 along with the political leaders.
While the government was marking republic day amid a function at Tundikhel, Kathmandu, members of civil society held a separate function in the capital to mark the day.
Like common people across the country, Gandharba is also not happy with ongoing political developments.
“Some leaders of the four political forces evince the attitude that they are now kings but what they should remember is that people power, which ousted the 240 year-old monarchy, can topple such political leaders also,” he warns.
At a time when the major political parties are being accused of riding roughshod over the people´s aspirations and democratic norms and values, Gandharba, 22, also suggests to the top leaders of the four political parties to mend their ways.
“Common people are frustrated with the political parties,” he maintains, adding, “If the leaders do not remain worthy of the public trust, it will become dangerous for them.”
So, where did the big parties slip after the announcement of the republic? “The dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (CA) without delivering a new statute was a most tragic event,” says Gandharba, adding, “And now the chief justice is also head of the executive branch, which is against the principle of separation of powers.”
He terms the agreement between the four political forces ´unfortunate´. He also warns of dictatorship in the country if Khil Raj Regmi keeps holding on to the posts of head of the executive branch and of the judiciary simultaneously.
“Abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy was no mean achievement but people´s expectations are yet to be fulfilled while the political leaders remain too busy serving their personal interests,” Gandharba says.
He is unhappy over the gap between the rhetoric of the top leaders and what they are doing in practice. “While speaking in public they present themselves as concerned for the people´s cause but in reality it seems they are being guided by some other forces,” he laments.
He maintains that there is uncertainty in the country and the common people do not know where things are headed.
Gandharba, who was then about 14, came in contact with student leaders including Chandra Shahi and Ram Kumari Jhakri at the time of the people´s movement, and he also joined the movement.
Asked if the political leaders still keep in touch with him, he said, “Times have changed a lot; at a time when the political parties need Rekha Thapa and Bhuwan KC, I may not be as important as before.”
However, some political leaders including Madhav Nepal and KP Oli often phone him to inquire about his studies, he says. Gandharba is currently studying at the higher secondary level in the capital. The government provides him Rs 7,000 monthly as a scholarship.
Related story
Breathing spaces
-1200x560-1779450784.webp)