Democracy Restored
The chickens started coming home to roost in March 1989, when India, outraged by (among other things) Nepal's purchase of anti-aircraft guns from China, retaliated with a crippling trade embargo . Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi - who had long professed a deep distaste for Birendra's antiquated monarchy - apparently believed shortages of fuel and medicines would touch off a popular uprising and topple the regime in a matter of weeks. Only his timing was off. The government rode out the immediate crisis by closing the universities, rationing fuel and whipping up traditional anti-Indian sentiment, until the Indian elections in December, when Gandhi's more conciliatory successor, V. P. Singh, eased the embargo. But after eight months of hardship, inflation and police action, Nepalis were fed up, and India could no longer be cast as the villain. The previous year had witnessed China's failed pro-democracy movement at Tiananmen Square and the spectacularly successful revolutions in Eastern Europe: Nepalis were enormously stirred by these examples. Seeing their chance, the banned opposition parties united in the so-called Movement to Restore Democracy , demanding an end to the panchaayat system and the creation of a constitutional monarchy. They called for a national day of protest on February 18, 1990 - a date already designated by the government, with unintended irony, as Democracy Day. Hundreds of opposition members were duly placed under house arrest, and the planned revolt got off to a shaky start. Yet Faagun 7 (the Nepali date of Democracy Day) marked the true launch of the Jana Andolan ("People's Movement"), which in subsequent weeks gathered strength, resulting in violent clashes and deaths in Bhaktapur, Narayanghat and Hetauda. Even while under detention, opposition leaders were able to call strikes and blackouts at will. The king, counselled by hardliners, kept silence. On April 3, protesters overran Patan, and three days later an estimated 200,000 people marched up Kathmandu's Durbar Marg towards the Royal Palace. The army fired into the crowd, killing at least 45 people, and an ominous shoot-on-sight curfew was imposed. Finally moved to action by the massacre, the king dissolved his cabinet, legalized political parties and invited the opposition to form an interim government with Bhattarai as prime minister. The panchaayat system was dead. After a few hiccups, the changeover to democracy proceeded in an orderly, if leisurely, fashion. By November 1990 the interim government had ratified a new constitution guaranteeing free speech, human rights and a constitutional monarchy. Under its provisions, the king "reigns but does not rule": he remains the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, but cannot make any executive decisions without consulting the prime minister and cabinet. The old Rastriya Panchaayat was replaced by a Parliament consisting of a directly elected House of Representatives and a smaller National Assembly. After a suitable interval to allow the news of democracy to percolate into the remoter regions, Nepal's first free elections in more than thirty years were held in May 1991. The Nepal Congress Party, which had paid its dues in exile for three decades and could claim much of the credit for bringing down the panchaayat system, won a majority - but not by much. While the rest of the world was backpedalling from communism as fast as it could, Nepal's several Communist parties put in a strong showing, maintaining their traditional strongholds in the east and, incredibly, sweeping the comfortable Kathmandu Valley. The National Democratic Party, largely packed with former panchaayat -wallahs, went down in a ball of flames. It was a clear referendum against the old guard, but a less than enthusiastic vote of confidence for the Congress Party.
www.hardrocktreks.comLaxman says "Nepal is the best adventure travel destination offering wide range of trekking, rafting, and cultural tours. Birth place of lord Buddha, the land of Mount Everest and the holiest pilgrimage destination for the Hindus is an another identity of this country.
" Trekking in Nepal Himalayanepalguidetrek says "Nepal guide trek offer trekking and tour in nepal himalya, trek to tibet, everest base camp trek, annapurna trek, langtang trekking" www.nepaltravellers.comYour Guide To Himalayas: says "Kathmandu-based tour operator provides trekking and adventure tours in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Indian regions. Includes camping, peak climbing, jungle safaris, and rafting." Nepal LoverPatric Lee says "Nepal is a simple country with poverty and unemployment its main concerns. Vist Nepal with an open heart, learn to love its people who are overly-hospitable, cheerful and helpful. A few simple Nepali phrases would get you around such as Dhanybad (thank you), Kati-ho (how much) also learn the numbers 1-1000, it would prove useful when you ask for the price or try to bargain down. Always have a ready smile and do not bear grudges. Because of poverty, businessmen and taxi-drivers will try to fleece you for as much as possible. Be aware of the prices of taxi trips to and from your hotel so you do not get fleeced. Ask your reception desk for the amount needed to travel to town or the next village etc. Be easy going and life will be a breeze there. The country is so beautiful you will not want to leave, but of course the villages are always dirty and littered with rubbish. Just bear with it and you will have an enjoyable time."
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