Former King Gyanendra trying to come back with the help of Hindus of India: Civil society leaders

Eight leaders of civil society representing different fields in a joint statement issued on Monday, raised objection to the political activities shown by former King Gyanendra with the intention to bring back monarchy jeopardizing Nepal’s integrity.

“We understand the political activities launched by the former monarch breaching the constitution with a view to spreading anarchism and promote opportunism with the backing of a section of religious group in India,” said a statement issued by senior human rights activists Charan Prasai, Sushil Pyakurel and senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit among others. Those who signed in the statement include, former member of National Human Rights Commission, Mohana Ansari, senior advocated Dinesh Tripathi, civil society activists Hira Bishwokarma, Rajan Kuikel and Rita Pariyar.

“The present constitution of Nepal 2015 is a common document promulgated through constituent assembly and brought through political and social negotiations, which is based on three pillars of democratic republic, federalism and secularism,” points out the statement adding, “if any one of the pillars are removed it will get imbalanced.”

“Such activities by Ex-King Gyanendra will not only weaken Nepal in the neighbourhood and international arena but will further deteriorate its position at a time when the international relations and neighbourhood situation have become unfavourable.”

“The establishment side of India which was dissatisfied with the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015 now wants to take credit in the eyes of Indian people and the voters by dragging Nepal into a Hindu state. On the other hand, Aditya Nath, chief minister of UP, have publicly spoken about reinstating the Hindu monarchy in Nepal and have been meeting Gyanendra in Lucknow time and again,” they said in the statement. “We understand that the efforts to reinstate monarchy in Nepal with the support of the Hindu fundamentalists of India will jeopardize Nepal’s integrity,” they warn.

“The federal democratic republic system and secularism have already been established in the country and what remains to be done is taking the country forward through good governance and prosperity,” pointed out the statement. “Ex King Gyanendra had in the past also tried to impose absolute rule which ultimately failed. Now taking the advantage of freedom granted by democratic system, he wants to spread conflict and anarchy in the society with the help of some extreme leftists, rightists and opportunists at the time of public discontent, which needs to be understood by everybody.”