Revision as of 10:05, 11 April 2017

Republican and secular

EC moderates pro-monarch, pro-Hindu state RPP

Nepal EC junks `Hindu state' clause from party's statute, Mar 19 2017: The Times of India

Nepal's poll watchdog has decided to remove “Hindu state and monarchy“ clauses from the statute of the pro-monarch and proHindu Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), saying that they contradicted constitutional provisions of a republican system and secularism.

The election commission's (EC) decision sparked a protest from the party with deputy prime minister and minister for federal affairs and local development Kamal Thapa urging the EC to correct its decision.

“The EC has robbed the party of its soul by deleting a section about Hindu state and monarchy off the party's statute,“ said Thapa, also the chairman of RPP.

The EC decided to remove the portion that advocates Hindu state and monarchy from the RPP statute, saying the sections contradicted constitutional provisions of republican order.

The party termed the decision as “unconstitutional“ and decided to challenge it in a court. “The EC's decision to remove some sections of its charter was unconstitutional as the Constitution had ensured ideological freedom,“ said the party . RPP has been campaigning for reinstatement of a Hindu state since Nepal became a secular nation through a parliament declaration in 2008, when monarchy was abolished following the success of a people's movement.

“The RPP does not accept the decision which would forbid the party's principal norm, and requests the EC to rethink the decision,“ RPP spokesperson Roshan Karki said. The party has also decided to launch a nationwide street movement demanding reinstatement of the Hindu state.

State of turmoil

From the archives of "India Today", 2009

June 2001: King Birendra,Queen Aishwarya and other close relatives killed in a shooting spree by Crown Prince Dipendra, who then shoots himself. Gyanendra is crowned Nepal King.

May 2002: Parliament dissolved and fresh elections are called over extending emergency. Sher Bahadur Deuba heads interim government and renews emergency.

April 2006: The King agrees to reinstate Parliament following protests. G.P. Koirala appointed prime minister. Maoists declare a ceasefire.

May 2006: Parliament curtails the King’s powers. Government and Maoists begin talks.

November 2006: Maoists and the government sign accord and declare a formal end to a 10-year insurgency.

January 2007: Maoist leaders enter Parliament under a temporary constitution.

December 2007: Parliament approves abolition of monarchy as part of peace deal with Maoists.

April 2008: Maoists win the largest number of seats in the new Constituent Assembly.

May 2008: Nepal becomes a republic.

August 2008: Prachanda forms coalition government and the Nepali Congress becomes the Opposition.

May 2009: Prachanda resigns citing the “unconstitutional and undemocratic” move by the President to stop the government from sacking the army chief.