Prospects of Democracy in Nepal
Introduction
The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked sovereign state situated in South Asia. The country is bordered by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India. Kathmandu is capital of Nepal and also the largest metropolis of the country with a population of around five million.
Total population of the country is around 27 million while two million of them are abroad for jobs and education. Official language of the country is Nepali while Nepal Bhasa, Maithili and hundred other different languages are recognized as regional and national languages of the multi-cultural society. Around 80 per cent of the population follows Hinduism, the biggest religion of the country while around 10 percent follow Buddhism and 4.2 percent Islam.
Nepal has been ruled by a king till the constituent assembly election held on April 10, 2008 wherein the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won majority of the seats and formed a coalition government. Although a process of political reforms began in 1990 following a communist movement against the absolute monarchy but the real democracy was established in the country after 2008 elections. In 1990, King Birendra had agreed to reforms in the political system of the country and a parliamentary monarchy was introduced with Kings as head of the state while prime minister was regarded as head of the government.
However, King Birendra, Queen Aiswarya and seven other members of the royal family were found killed on June 1, 2001. The incident further strengthened the communist movement in the country for democracy as the royal family had virtually lost its control over the state. After the death of King Birendra his brother Gyanendra succeeded to the throne and tried his best to quell the movement against his rule but failed.
Following the movement for democracy, King Gyanendra agreed to relinquish the sovereign power and on May 18, 2006 the House of Representatives unanimously voted to curtail power of the king
The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked sovereign state situated in South Asia. The country is bordered by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India. Kathmandu is capital of Nepal and also the largest metropolis of the country with a population of around five million.
Total population of the country is around 27 million while two million of them are abroad for jobs and education. Official language of the country is Nepali while Nepal Bhasa, Maithili and hundred other different languages are recognized as regional and national languages of the multi-cultural society. Around 80 per cent of the population follows Hinduism, the biggest religion of the country while around 10 percent follow Buddhism and 4.2 percent Islam.
Nepal has been ruled by a king till the constituent assembly election held on April 10, 2008 wherein the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) won majority of the seats and formed a coalition government. Although a process of political reforms began in 1990 following a communist movement against the absolute monarchy but the real democracy was established in the country after 2008 elections. In 1990, King Birendra had agreed to reforms in the political system of the country and a parliamentary monarchy was introduced with Kings as head of the state while prime minister was regarded as head of the government.
However, King Birendra, Queen Aiswarya and seven other members of the royal family were found killed on June 1, 2001. The incident further strengthened the communist movement in the country for democracy as the royal family had virtually lost its control over the state. After the death of King Birendra his brother Gyanendra succeeded to the throne and tried his best to quell the movement against his rule but failed.
Following the movement for democracy, King Gyanendra agreed to relinquish the sovereign power and on May 18, 2006 the House of Representatives unanimously voted to curtail power of the king
Bibliography: 2. Kumar, Dhurba. New Frontiers of Restructuring of State. New Delhi, 2008. 3. Kumar, Dhurba. Nepali State, Society and Human Security: An Infinite Discourse. 2008: The University Press, 2008. 4. Singh, Amresh Kumar. Restructuring of Nepali State: A Madhesi Perspective. New Delhi: Adroit, 2008. 5. Thapliyal, Sangeeta. Restoring Democracy in Nepal. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2005.