After the victory of the Panchayat system in 2037 BS, the Panchayat supporters were arrogant. In 2038 BS, the election to the National Panchayat (the then parliament) was held and Surya Bahadur became the Prime Minister. While Surya Bahadur was the Prime Minister an inhuman incident took place in Sindhupalchowk district. Actually, some politicians were showing a cultural programme there when suddenly some policemen surrounded the spot and began firing at random. This incident as known as Piskar Massacre.
Then the members of the National Panchayat passed a non-confidence motion against Surya Bahadur and he was replaced by Lokendra Bahadur Chand.
Bombings
The Nepali congress started Satyagraha (fight for truth) in 2042 BS throughout the country. While this was going on, unexpected bombings in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other places shook the country. The blasting was made against the monarchy y Janabadi Morcha of Ram Raja Prasad Singh. The Nepali congress had to stop Satyagraha. The Panchayat government had become notorious for corruption, smuggling, and other criminal activities. There was no regard for human rights.
The Nepali Congress held its national convention at Ganesh Man Singh’s residence on Magh 5-7, 2046. The convention was also attended by some top Indian leaders like Chandrashekhar, Dr. Subramanian Swami, Harkishan Singh Surjit, M.K. Akbar, and the member of the leftist party of Nepal. In order to make the movement a success, seven communist parties formed the United Leftist Front (Samyukta Bam Morcha) under the leadership of Sahana Pradhan. The objective of the movement was the restoration of multiparty democracy and human rights. An agreement was reached between the Nepali Congress and the Leftist Front to launch the mass movement jointly.
On Falgun 7, 2046 BS the countrywide mass movement commenced. There were clashes between the agitators and the Panchas in many places. Many leaders were arrested. The government tries to suppress the agitations using stick and guns. About 8 persons were killed. Nepal closures (Nepal bands) of Falgun 8, 19 and Chaitra 1 were unprecedentedly successful. Programmes of slogans, processions, blackouts, pen downs etc… were organized throughout the country. The movement became very strong. Dozens of people were shot dead in Kirtipur due to random firing. On Chaitra 24, 2046 BS the king dismissed the Marichaman cabinet and appointed Lokendra Bahadur Chand. In his speech, he intended to reform the Panchayat System. In protest the King announced, hundreds of thousand people assembled in Kathmandu.
The government ordered firing in which many demonstrators were killed. Curfews were imposed but no one use. These were outwardly disobeyed. At last on Chaitra 26, 2046 the King invented Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Girija Prasad Koirala, Sahana Pradhan, and Radha Krishna Mainali for a talk. They unanimously reiterated their demand for the multiparty system. So at about midnight, King gave a public speech announcing the lift of the ban on political parties. In this way, the virtue of the 49-day mass movement the Panchayat System was abolished and the multiparty system was restored in the country.
Political Development after 2046 BS
Following the deletion of the word “partyless”, the National Panchayat, Panchayat policy and Investigations Committee along with all other bodies of the partyless system were dissolved. On Baisakh 3, 2047 BS an interim government headed by Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was formed. The cabinet included 4 ministers from the Nepali Congress, 3 from the Leftist Front, 2 independent and 2 nominated by the King.
There must be the person who was participant or eyewitness of students movement, 2036 B.S. Write a paragraph including his experience, preface of the movement and its effects.
I met and interviewed one of my neighbors who had participated in the students movement of 2036 BS as an eyewitness. I would like to mention his experience, preface of the movement and its effects briefly below.
All the political parties were working underground after king Mahendra imposed ban on them on 1st Poush, 2017 and initiated partyless panchayat system. The students would represent them in national politics without visibly connecting themselves with the party. They would protest against the decision of Pakistani government to execute former leader of Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. They wanted to hand over the memorandum to the embassy of Pakistan, but they were stopped by Nepal police. Students kept on protesting against the police administration, too. It pressurized the government to high. The government tried to suppress them but failed. Students demanded referendum, and the government was compelled to announce referendum in 2036 BS. The referendum was held in 2037 for either 'improved panchayat' or multiparty democracy. Improved panchayat won the election by 4 lakhs extra vote. This is how the movement of students had concluded then.
What were the causes that led to the referendum?
It was mentioned well about the people's right in the constitution but in reality they couldn't be felt by the people. People protested against the activities of government. Understanding the sentiments of people king Birendra held the referendum for the two options: reformed panchyati system or multiparty democracy. The causes to be held the referendum were:
1. People were deprived from fundamental rights.
2. People opposed very aggressively activities of government.
3. People dissatisfied to the panchyati system.
4. People didn't like the suppression of government for huge procession against the death sentence to former Pakistani Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto.
Which issue got the favor from the result of referendum? What were its causes?
Nepalese people showed their dissatisfaction on panchyati system. The students also opposed the activities of the government. This sentiment of people was clearly understood by the then king Birendra and he held the referendum. The result supported the reformed panchyati system although most of the people didn't like this system. The causes for its success were as follows:
1. The election was under the control of panchyati government.
2. Irrational and inhuman activities, in between 2015-2017, made people fade up with multiparty system.
3. The advertisement and education of multiparty system couldn't reach to the people.
4. Many of the political leaders lacked political honesty and consciousness.
5. Illiterate and poor people.
6. The political game of Surya Bdr. Thapa supporting panchyati system.
When and why was referendum held in Nepal?
Referendum was held in Nepal on 20 Jestha 2037 B.S because after 2035 B.S. political agitations followed one after the other. Government was so compelled to know whether the people preferred Panchayat System or multiparty system. So, referendum was held.
Write a short note on the referendum of 2036 B.S. of Nepal.
The panchayat system was undemocratic and leaders were intolerant towards opposition. The leaders devoted themselves not to the development of the country and people but to their personal interests and benefits. Some the people went against it and demanded for a change in the government. Many ups and downs took place in the country. Finally, realizing the gravity of the situation, late king Birendra decided on Jestha 18, 2036 to hold a referendum in the country. A referendum is a system by which an issue is decided by popular vote. A referendum was to be helps on the issue whether the people prefer reformed Panchayat system or multi party system. The king's declaration eased the situation and was praised by prominent leaders of the democracy and a step forward towards the restoration of democracy. After 2007 B.S. the referendum was held on Bishakh 20, 2037 B.S. and the result was declared on 1st of Jestha 2037 B.S. The reformed Panchayat system was won by a thin majority. The supporters of the multiparty system blamed the government of rigging.
Write short notes on 2031 B.S.
2031 B.S. is notable for the coronation ceremony of late king Birendra. This day can also be taken as the one which paved the way for democratic system that he was inclined to. At lot of foreign dignitaries attended his coronation and king Birendra proposed Nepal to be a "Zone of peace" to which many peace loving countries gave their support. This is also the day when primary education up to grade III was declared free and Nepal began to celebrate Education Day on Falgun 12 every year.