Minister Lekhak warns ex-king not to conspire against republican system

By Our Correspondent,Dipayal, Mar. 9: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has advised former king Gyanendra Shah not to conspire against the republican system in the country. 

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Nepal Press Union's Doti branch in Dipayal, he suggested that instead of conspiring against the republic, the former king should open a political party and engage with the people.

Stating that conspiracies against democracy have repeatedly occurred in this country, he said the current conspiracy by the former king and royalists had no chance of restoring monarchy. 

“Looking at examples worldwide, there is no instance of a king who was ousted through revolution or struggle staying in the same country,” he said. “Examples of kings who were ousted through movements and revolutions and then living with all the rights enjoyed by citizens, protected by the state, and enjoying all fundamental democratic freedoms are rare.”

Minister Lekhak also said Nepal has an advanced, disciplined, and ideal democratic system. Our former king enjoys all the rights of a citizen in the country. “This is the character of our democracy. Therefore, no kind of autocracy should be revived against the republic,” he maintained.

According to him, the former king has the right to enjoy all freedoms as a Nepali citizen, including the freedom to form a party and contest elections. 

“Instead of secretly dreaming of bringing back the monarchy through conspiracies against the republic, open a party and engage with the people, hold discussions, compete, but do not conspire against democracy,” he said addressing the former king.

Minister Lekhak emphasised that there is no chance of Nepal returning to monarchy after transitioning from autocratic monarchy to democracy. He also asserted that monarchy can never be an alternative to the republic. "Autocracy cannot be an alternative to democracy, so we must not remain under such an illusion," he said.

Investigation on in Nirmala murder case

Responding to the questions related to the Nirmala Pant murder case, the Home Minister said that a thorough investigation into the incident is ongoing. 

“Rape, murder, and violence are heinous crimes not only against the state but against humanity,” he said. "As soon as I became a minister, I directed a swift, meticulous, and in-depth investigation into the murder of Nirmala Pant. The concerned authorities are continuing the investigation. The police administration is also rigorously investigating, prosecuting, and taking action on other rape cases.” 

Stating that there will be no tolerance for any shortcomings in this, he suggested that it is important to view crimes as crimes. “Once a crime has been committed, an investigation, inquiry, and prosecution are necessary. The investigation into Nirmala’s case is also ongoing," he said.