The Dream Of Liberation

The nation observed National Democracy Day on Wednesday by organising a variety of programmes. The Day bears historic significance for Nepali people. This day 74 years ago, was the first time they became ‘people’ from raitis (subjects). For more than a century, they were forced to live in the dark and were deprived of their basic rights such as the right to speak, assemble in public places and form political and civic organisations. It was a crime to express reservations about the oppressive acts of Rana rulers. The political parties were banned. It was like living in a suffocated room sans ventilators. With the toppling of Rana autocratic rule, the people came out the suffocation and saw the light of democracy in their lives. The ideas of democracy, freedom, equality and justice spread in society. The people became conscious of their rights essential to lead a life of happiness, dignity and prosperity.

There were long and incessant struggles against the Rana Oligarchy. The political parties, students, intellectuals, retired Gorkha soldiers and common people joined hands to overthrow the regime that resorted to every means to supress people’s voices and genuine aspirations. The great martyrs - Shukraraj Shastri, Gangalal Shrestha, Dasharath Chand, and Dharmabhakta Mathema - had laid down their lives at the altar of revolution. One decade after they attained martyrdom, the Rana regime itself turned to dust. The country eventually ushered in a new era of democracy. The 1951 revolution was the basis of all democratic movements that occurred in the last 75 years. There were ups and downs in democracy's journey as the people had to fight against tyranny repeatedly. And sat salko kranti (the revolution of 2007 B.S.) continues to inspire the people from generation to generation even in the most difficult period when democracy was hijacked and civil liberties were snatched.

In his message delivered on the occasion of National Democracy Day, President Ramchandra Paudel has said that the day would inspire representative bodies, political parties and all branches of the state to implement constitutional values and principles. He said that this special moment should motivate all concerned in achieving the national goal of sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, while addressing a function organised in Kathmandu to mark National Democracy Day, said that the country had begun moving from poverty to prosperity, from a developing to a developed nation, and from inequality to equality in the light of democracy. We are utilising every moment, possibility, and capacity towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  

As the Prime Minister said, the 7th of Falgun, the day when democracy was declared, did not merely change the form of governance but also initiated a civil administration by replacing arbitrary appointments with a merit-based system. The establishment of democracy paved the way for the beginning of planned development and the opening of diplomatic ties with friendly nations based on sovereign equality. The democratic system has enabled society to make strides in the political, economic and cultural spheres. With the adoption of the federal system, the social security provisions have been strengthened and national resources have been distributed based on the needs of the provinces. On this occasion, the government, political parties, civil society, media and all people should renew their commitment to institutionalise and strengthen the federal republican democracy.