KATHMANDU, Dec 31: People in the country observe Reconciliation Day today to remember BP Koirala, the first elected Prime Minister, who returned to the country from exile embracing national unity and reconciliation, ready to dedicate his life to nationalism despite facing eight death penalty cases in court.
On Poush 16, 2033 BS ( December 30, 1976), under the leadership of BP Koirala, the founding leader of the Nepali Congress, along with senior leader Ganeshman Singh, leader Shailaja Acharya, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Ram Babu Prasai, Nilambar Panthi, and other Nepali Congress party members, returned to Nepal after accepting the policy of national unity and reconciliation, ending nearly eight years of political exile in India.
While in exile, BP Koirala and other leaders closely observed the annexation of Sikkim into India. Adopting the policy of nationalism, unity, and reconciliation, they returned to Nepal 49 years ago today. BP and his fellow leaders risked their lives to return, committed to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty.
National Unity and Reconciliation Day being observed today
On Poush 1, 2017 BS, following the royal coup by then-King Mahendra, the first democratically elected Prime Minister, BP Koirala, was detained in Singha Durbar for nearly three months. On Falgun 26 of the same year, he was transferred to a prison built by enclosing the residence of the Nepali Army's arsenal chief in Sundarijal, turning it into the Sundarijal Detention Center.
Eight years later, in 2025 BS, BP Koirala was released for medical treatment. After his release, he traveled to India for treatment, where he began political activities against the autocratic Panchayat system. Observing events such as India's annexation of Sikkim, the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan, and the rise of fragmentation in other Asian countries, he adopted the policy of national unity and reconciliation to prevent the weakening of nationalism. On this very day, 49 years ago, BP and other leaders returned to Nepal with this mission.
Upon landing at Tribhuvan Airport, BP Koirala, along with leader Ganeshman Singh and others, was immediately taken back to Sundarijal and detained again. On Jestha 27, 2034 BS, BP Koirala was released on the condition that he would return to prison after receiving treatment. Subsequently, he was once again taken to the Sundarijal Detention Center and later transferred to the Police Training Center in Maharajgunj. The 24-ropani detention facility was transformed into the BP Museum on Bhadra 24, 2061 BS.
During his time in the Sundarijal Detention Center, BP Koirala authored several works, including the short story collection ‘Shwet Bhairavi’, the novels ‘Sumnima’, ‘Babu Aama Ra Chora’, ‘Tin Ghumti’, ‘Modi aain’, and ‘Hitler Ra Yehudi’, as well as his autobiography ‘Afno Katha’. He also documented his daily life in prison, later published under the title ‘Jail Journal’.
Before his imprisonment, BP Koirala’s short story collection ‘Doshi Chashma’ was published in 2008 BS. Known not only as a statesman but also as a pioneer of psychological and sexual themes in Nepali fiction, Koirala made significant contributions to literature. After adopting the policy of reconciliation and returning to Nepal on Poush 16, 2033 BS, he was detained again at the Sundarijal Detention Center. His diary from that period was later published under the title ‘Feri Sundarijal’.
On the occasion of the day, the Nepali Congress and its affiliated and well-wishing organizations are organizing various programs across the country to celebrate Unity and Reconciliation Day.
The Kathmandu District Committee of the Congress will hold a program under the chief guestship of party president Sher Bahadur Deuba. On this occasion, the BP Museum has also announced that it will organize a program. Stakeholders suggest that the annual Poush 16 Unity and Reconciliation Day should not only focus on formalities.
