Federalism can be a useful tool to unite Nepal

Q1: It is widely believed that the 2001 Mysterious Royal Palace Massacre was the major turning point in the history of modern Nepal. How do you Professor analyze political and societal upheavals that have taken place thereafter?

Professor Regmi: I think that if you want to know the history of Nepal you have to go back to ancient times. Then you will see that the Kings of Nepal heavily relied on religion. Our history tells us that Religion and Politics have been integrated together. As far as the Royal Palace Massacre of 2001 is concerned, Nepali society as such had never thought that such an incident would ever take place. To my belief, this event indeed was a turning point in Nepal’s history. The incident has brought us into a new chapter of Politics and Religion. People have become more conscious as to how to keep their society in a traditional manner. People are still trying to readjust themselves over matters of politics and religion after the massacre incident. So, my thinking about the political future of Nepali society after that incident has already been observed. For example, the Maoists have become a part of main-stream politics, the country has been declared republic overthrowing the 240 years old monarchy and a soft democratic set-up (with Religion and Kingship) has been converted to a hard core Federal-Democratic System (with Secularism and Republican order). Whatever we say and no matter how political parties interpret, the people of Nepal had long aspirations to the system of democracy and total freedom. People here want to develop their destiny on their own.

Q2: Whom do you hold primarily responsible for the degradation of local politics and Nepal’s position in international political order?

Professor Regmi: I do not completely agree that there is the degradation of local politics and Nepal’s position in international political order. After the changes that have taken place in politics and the advent of new democratic order, Nepal’s position internationally has been even stronger. Rather we could say an isolated Nepal of the past had degraded position on international arena. Every nation, every political party and every society are now looking towards Nepal. Thus it has become the focus of global political change. The change that is taking place to my mind is not the degradation of our political order. There was always politics at the local level, district level and national level and less politics in the international level because our foreign policy was a rigid one during the monarchy. Now, we want to establish and formulate such a foreign policy that will steer the country for decades and decades, that has to be created by our political parties and the successive governments. There should be only one foreign policy. Our geo-political situation is such that our foreign policy can not favor one country against the other, and it is a fact that we are very much influenced by our Northern and Southern neighbors.

It is just a matter of time that people divided on various political fronts will realize that what we all need is a real democratic system. The end result is a democratic order which ever path we follow at the moment.

Q3: Tell us Professor with less than four years of Secular experience voices are being raised by certain quarters to readopt Hinduism as State Religion. What effect such dissenting voices would have in our socio-cultural order eventually?

Professor Regmi: To tell you frankly, our socio-cultural order will change for sure. But I believe in slow change. The fact is that Nepali people have historically (beginning 1^st century A.D. to date) looked into politics and religion separately though the 240 Years of Monarchy thrived under the political-religious umbrella. People in Nepal have been always religious minded. In the past, religion was the way of life thus they never bothered about politics and they were never bothered about alien religion and culture, both in the cities and villages.

If you see the history of Secularism concept when we see the renaissance period in Europe, the churches were classified as powerful organizations, which thrived on the State power.  And the Kings had executive powers. But the priests and churches were occupying the position of God. This situation prevailed in Europe until 15^th Century.

We see that to a lay man, religion and politics may look separate things. But, there is great linkage between the two.

But in the Nepali context historically, our society was confined within the limits of faith and religion.  People were not interested in politics.

Universally, the modern state is based on three concepts, Religion, Policy and Market.

Monarchy focused on religion for its longevity.

Political parties rather are concerned on policy matters and Multi-national organizations such as international economic institutions are concerned on the size of market and heavily influence the State policies. Our society is also being influenced by them, which is also one of the aspects of globalization that could be clearly seen in the urban areas of our country.

Nepal has already proclaimed itself a secular state and monarchy abolished. And we are being more and more influenced by global economic order. Thus our society is also changing. Actually, tolerance, secularism, morality and democracy are the prerequisites for the preservation of sovereignty. As a matter of fact Religion is the faith and belief of an individual. Individual member of a family may adapt to a different religion. Being secular, people may continue their tradition and religion because each and every individual has the liberty to exercise their belief and faith in a different manner that suits to them.

But, there is no space for religious fundamentalism in Secularism.

Q4: In the span of four years Federalism was projected as the solution to all Nepal aliments and now it is being portrayed as an evil and that it will lead to disintegration. What do you have to say in this aspect Professor?

Professor Regmi: Let me tell you first that four year period is not enough to judge a system as such and federalism is yet to be implemented here on real terms. To my mind rather federalism will provide enough space for all the Nepalese to develop themselves economically and integrate the people in true sense of the term. But if we want to unite the Nepali society then it is the responsibility of political parties to ensure that there is equitable growth among all sections of the society. It is not an evil…it can be a blessing for a country like Nepal if the leader and political system will effectively manage the provinces and the federal units. The long cultural history of Nepal tells us that Nepali society can adjust to changes quickly. They have the ability to cope up with any events thus will easily adapt to Federalism as well. It can thus turn out to be a useful tool to develop our country but the center should take the lead role to unite the provinces. I would rather suggest North-South parallel Blocks for equal share of resources to all the provinces. (Interviewed by Sujeet Mainali and Niraj Aryal)

Posted on : 2010-04-07 06:12:19

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