Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. Gagan Thapa can be as repubican as he might want to be. He may express those republican sentiments is as many different ways and as many different forums as he might want. It is his basic human right to do so. It is for the Nepali people to collectively decide if or not they want to retain the monarchy in some ceremonial fashion, but a monarchy that does not allow the Nepali people to express that choice is an illegitimate one. But as for one person Gagan Thapa, he can be a republican regardless of if or not others feel that same way.
Chargesheeting Gagan Thapa for a view he might hold and express is a crime against the person, against the democrats, against the state itself, and against humanity. You may disagree with him, but you may not chargesheet him. Chargesheet him for what?
After 2/1 I took a clear stand for a democratic republic. After the emergency was lifted in name three months later, I softened my stance a little. A blog that started out being called For A Democratic Republic Of Nepal got renamed For A Democratic Nepal. (Proposed Constitution) As of today, it is going back to its original name. And I am also rewriting the proposed document to make it republican.
The lines have been drawn. It is a fight to the finish.
America is a democratic republic. India is a democratic republic. It is wrong for both to preach anything else upon Nepal. If it is right by them, it is right by Nepal. The twin pillar policy has to go.
This king does not have the Pakistan option. This king does not have the Burma option. This king has no option. Nepal is not Pakistan. Nepal is not Burma. And even Pakistan and Burma will not be that for long. Musharraf and the Burmese junta have to see it coming.
A clear republican stance also clarifies and simplifies the democratic debate. A republican stance also makes a stronger alliance with the Maoists easier.
A two word common minimum program is practically a slogan. A slogan goes further when it comes to rallying people. On with it.
This king has crossed all boundaries. The monarchy is a rotten institution.
The movement has to go ahead fearlessly. Members of this regime who might retaliate can be punished soon after power is snatched away from them. These people really don't have that many options. All these Kirti Bishtas, and Peter Giris, and Sharad Shahas go to jail. That is what. That is what is in store for them.
The democratic principle is not a weak one. The method of non violent resistance is not a weak one. The movement for democracy is the strongest current running through the country's political veins.
In The News
- Govt Prepares Chargesheet Against Gagan Thapa; Seeks 3-yr Jail Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Students Clash With Cops; Vandalise 10 Govt Vehicles Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Students Hold Rally for Gagan Thapa's Release Total Motorcycle.com, Canada
- Students Hold Rally for Gagan Thapa's Release Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Shun the status-quoist Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan to contest NSU presidency Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Constitutional debate Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan's arrest! Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan announces his candidacy for NSU president Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa to contest for NSU chief’s post Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Countless Gagan Thapas Samudaya.org, AZ
- King’s constitutionality questioned in the court for the first ... United We Blog, Nepal
- Lawyers question king's constitutionality in court Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- SC permission to remand Thapa for five more days Gorkhapatra, Nepal
- Court extends Thapa’s remand Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa's Remand Extended by 5 Days Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Damned if they do, damned if they don’t Nepali Times, Nepal
- Students burn effigies of autocracy Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa's detention extended Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- NSU to block Valley traffic today Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa’s remand extended by 5 days Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Spirited youths Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- The Nepal situation The New Nation, Bangladesh
- 12 students injured in clashes Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Dozen students injured in clashes Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Student leaders refuse bail Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan interrogated Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan's arrest Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- I Was Exercising a Right: Gagan Thapa Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Detained students refuse to pay bail Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Amnesty demands release of Nepal's student leaders Deccan Herald, India
- Attorney’s Office Grills Gagan Thapa Himalayan Times, Nepal
- SITUATION IN NEPAL Kantipur Online, Nepal
- The United States and Nepal Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan prisoner of conscience: AI Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- United We Blog! ...for a Peaceful & Democratic Nepal United We Blog, Nepal
- AI Calls for Gagan Thapa’s Release Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa declared prisoner of conscience Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Press Statement: Student Organizations Announce Fresh Protes Samudaya.org, AZ
- POLITICS-NEPAL: At War With Whom? Inter Press Service (subscription), World
- Clashes in Nepal Hindu, India
- Gagan feels insecure Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- US criticises jailing of former Nepal PM Reuters India, India
- Students stage demonstrations Kantipur Online, Nepal
- US criticises Nepal ex-PM jailing BBC News, UK
- US criticises jailing of former Nepal PM Reuters AlertNet, UK
- Students Clash With Police at Valley Colleges Himalayan Times, Nepal
- NDYC-USA condemns Deuba arrest Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa arrested again Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa arrested; in 7-day remand Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Tom Daschle urges Gyanendra to restore democracy Peninsula On-line, Qatar
- Student leader arrested in Nepal Deepika, India
- SHORT TAKES Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Gagan Thapa to face sedition charges Kantipur Online, Nepal
- Nepal king under fire over coup BBC Bengali, United Kingdom
- Student Leader Gagan Thapa Arrested Himalayan Times, Nepal
- Youth leaders demand clear agenda Kathmandu Post, Nepal
- Student Leaders Get 10-day Custody Himalayan Times, Nepal
