“Satisfactory, but not adequate”: Pro-democracy fighters (Nepalnews Feature)

May 18, 2006
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By Indra Adhikari

People injured during the recent ‘jana andolan’ say the ‘historic’ proclamation made by the reinstated House of Representatives on Thursday was satisfactory, but not adequate.

While the state-run Radio Nepal was carrying the proceedings of the House of Representatives live on Thursday afternoon, Nepalnews spoke to some of the injured people who were still undergoing treatment at the Kathmandu Model hospital at Baghbazar.

Rajendra Lama, who was injured during the pro-democracy demonstrationsin Banepa on April 19, said he was happy to hear the HoR declaration to drastically curtail the powers of the king. “But I suspect the royalists may hatch conspiracies against this declaration or the leaders might fear to implement what they professed today,” he added.

Krishna Pokhrel, who was injured when police charged demonstrators with batons at Banasthali in Kathmandu on April 21, said most of the people’s aspirations were addressed by the declaration. “I am happy with it. Since the leaders did not dare to remove the king, the only way to do so was through elections to the constituent assembly (CA),” he added.

Pokhrel was still angry with monarchy. “If leaders, by any means, try to save monarchy, we will start armed struggle,” he warned. “I am ready to die for the country.”

Pokhrel said he felt proud to be one of the pro-democracy activists since the ‘jana andolan’ had forced the king to accept that people were sovereign and that alone had right to rule the country.

15-year-old Nawaraj Parajuli, who was also injured during the demonstrations, said, “The declaration is inadequate since we can’t have “loktantra” (democracy) as long as the king is there.” Parajuli – who still had bullet in his leg—blamed the king of ordering security forces to kill people who were taking part in the peaceful demonstrations.”

Sagar Gurung, who was shot at his stomach in the western town of Butwal on April 9, said though the news of the declaration was inspiring to hear, it was not complete. “It gave me much satisfaction,” he added.

“However, the people’s movement had empowered HoR to remove the king from Nepal, the leaders did not do so,” he said further, adding, “It is a betrayal.”

The declaration tabled by the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala before the HoR for approval was passed unanimously after nearly one-and-half hour long debate. Even the royalist parties supported the proposal.

People in the street looked euphoric and were discussing the implications of the ‘historic’ declaration. But, pro-democracy fighters undergoing treatment at the Model hospital—which was in the forefront of treating the injured—still had bitterness in their mind and a strong sense of hatred towards the erstwhile regime.