Saturday, April 08, 2006

Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament


Preamble

The revolution hereby resurrects the 1999 House as a one chamber revolutionary parliament with revolutionary powers for an interim time period. The seven party alliance is to form the interim government. The 1990 constitution died on February 1, 2005. The express goal of the revolutionary parliament is to form a seven party government, hold peace talks with the Maoists, and take the country through a constituent assembly to give the country a new constitution as per the people's desire.

Revolutionary Parliament
  1. This is the 1999 House.
  2. It has the powers of an executive, and the legislative, and it has the powers to reorganize the judiciary.
  3. The seven party alliance is to form a seven party government.
  4. The person chosen by that alliance is to be the interim prime minister, unless the revolutionary parliament declares the country a republic, in which case the person becomes the interim president.
  5. The interim prime minister/president is the Commander In Chief of the state army, immediately renamed Nepal Army. As Commander In Chief, the said person may fire any person in the army, of any rank, may promote or demote the same. As Commander In Chief, the said person may order the Nepal Army to wage war, or to declare peace.
  6. All such revolutionary acts by the interim prime minister/president will need a majority vote in the revolutionary parliament preceded by a public debate.
  7. This revolutionary parliament will be considered dissolved the day the Constituent Assembly takes shape, which may be no later than 12 months from the revolutionary parliament taking shape.
  8. Details not covered by this interim constitution will be guided by the provisions in the 1990 constitution unless they clash with the provisions in this interim constitution. The revolutionary parliament may amend any such detail through majority vote.
  9. The revolutionary parliament will make no decision, and take no step counter to the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights.
  10. The revolutionary parliament may imprison and otherwise punish all those who have subjected peaceful democracy demonstrators and activists to human rights violations and killings.
Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King
Constituent Assembly: 300 Seats Of Roughly Equal Population
April Revolution: Document Every Atrocity
यो सडक ितम्र्ो हो
Kamal Thapa Is A Nazi

In The News


“Day of reckoning” in Nepal, tens of thousands protest against the royal regime NepalNews
OHCHR expresses ‘grave concern’ over Pokhara firing
Rights activists, professionals defy curfew order, court arrests
19 killed in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu clashes; several govt offices destroyed
Thousands take out protest rally in Pokhara, a demonstrator shot dead
NHRC starts monitoring of human rights situation during 7-party protests
Senior leaders call to defy curfew order
NBA calls lawyers to join pro-democracy movement
Nationwide protest against government; hundreds arrested
Sarlahi Attack and Nepal-India Relations
Jana Andolan 1990 Revisited III

Protestor shot dead in west Nepal tourist town Monsters and Critics.com, UK
Protests as Nepal imposes curfew in capital The Age
Nepal announces extended curfew to curb protests Ireland Online
Protester Is Killed in Nepal During Third Day of Strikes New York Times
At least 12 killed in Nepal gun battles Ireland Online, Ireland
Security alert on Indo-Nepal border NewKerala.com
Hundreds flee Nepal, enter bordering Bihar areas NewKerala.com
12 Killed in Western Nepal Clashes CRI, China
Police clash with protesters in Nepal Irish Examiner, Ireland
Pitched battles in Nepal, 750 held Times of India
Police Clash With Student Protesters Los Angeles Times
Violators of curfew in Nepal to be shot Ottawa Citizen, Canada
Gyanendra "destroyed" democracy in Nepal: US official Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
CPI(M) flays crackdown on Nepal's leaders Hindu
CPI-M seeks New Delhi's intervention in Nepal NewKerala.com
Gyanendra 'has done travesty to democracy' Gulf Daily News
Curfew in Kathmandu to continue tomorrow: Nepal Govt Hindu, India
Protest in Nepal Turns Violent; 3 Wounded Pierceland Herald, Canada
25,000 riot against king in Nepal Irish Independent, Ireland
Nepalese Government threaten to shoot protestors on sight Unison.ie, Ireland

OHCHR concerned over killing of protestor in Pokhara Kantipur Publications
Demonstrators defy curfew, stage demos; Daylong curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur on Sunday
3 injured in police firing in Chitwan, curfew imposed
Protestor killed in Pokhara firing; curfew in Surkhet
US Congressmen write to king
Butwal, Kapilvastu clashes: 20 killed, several govt offices destroyed
Govt. clamps curfew in Kathmandu Valley, mobile phone service disrupted
Curfew, Emergency could be imposed: Home Minister
King Gyanendra inaugurates WHF silver jubilee celebrations
Over two dozen injured, three dozen arrested in Pokhara, Chitwan
Over 200 arrested, dozens injured; police open fire in Patan, Dang
Bank, Corporation employees join protests
Home Minister visits Malangwa
आन्दोलन तीव्र
ँप्रजातन्त्रको उपहास’
बुटवल र तौलिहवामा आक्रमण
राजालाई अमेरिकी सांसदहरूको पत्र
संकटकालको संकेत
कर्मचारीहरू पनि आन्दोलित
सर्लाहीमा सरकारी कामकाज ठप्प
कीर्तिपुर ँलोकतान्त्रिक मुक्तिक्षेत्र’
आन्दोलनमा आउन नेताहरूको आग्रह
प्रदर्शन दबाउन सेना

Updates INSN
Daylong curfew imposed again
One Killed in Pokhara; Protestors defy curfew in Kathmandu
Curfew Imposed in Capital
19 Killed in Maoist Attack in Butwal and Taulihawa
Day 2: Two injured in firing, hundreds arrested
Patan: 1990 revisited
सोलिगडारिटी नेपाल
Protesters Police Clash all over the Valley
Two hurt in police firing
Day 1: One killed, hundreds arrested nationwide
Anti-Monarchy Front Organises Seminar in Delhi
Fighting caste discrimination in the context of the conflict
Interview with Mathura Shrestha
सामन्ति निरंकुश राजतन्त्रलाई सहयोग पुग्ने काम नगरौं
Police AIG (retired) critiques government policy
The countdown in Kathmandu has begun
Broken People in Nepal
Violence takes toll during Friday demonstrations
KrishnaSen report
Around 400 Arrested On First Day of General Strike
Madhav Kumar Nepal taken away by APF
राजाको पलायन
Japan: statement
CPN(M): statement
US: State Department comment
CPN(M): statement of Pravu Sah
CEHURDES: statement
FNJ: journalist threatened
FNJ: journalists arrested and beaten
FNJ: journalists arrested, one beaten, others released
CPI(M): statement
COCAP: Kathmandu tense on 2nd day of protest; many incidences of HR violation
COCAP: report on demonstrations
AI: Hundreds of pro-democracy activists arrested
CPN(M): English translation of 6 April statement
CPN(M): ANWA statement
CPN(M): two statements
ICDR & VODI: condemning the murder of Daya Ram Pariyar

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Global Voices Online, Harvard Law School

Nepal Movement, Day 3: Shoot At Sight Order April 8
Day 2: Nepal Democracy Movement April 8
Khatmandu’s tense political moves April 6
Nepal: Moriarty Drowns Out Prachanda March 5
Nepal: Money Needed For Movement February 13


कीर्तिपुर ँलोकतान्त्रिक मुक्तिक्षेत्र’

चक्र कार्की

कीर्तिपुर -काठमाडौं, चैत २५ - आन्दोलनकारीले कीर्तिपुरलाई शुक्रबार 'लोकतान्त्रिक मुक्तिक्षेत्र' घोषणा गरेका छन् । यसको तयारीका लागि कीर्तिपुरवासी र विद्यार्थीहरू बिहान ७ बजेदेखि नै सडकमा ओर्लिसकेका थिए । बिहान ७ बजेबाट सडकमा आन्दोलनकारीले चर्का नारा लगाउँदै बजार परिक्रमा गरेका थिए ।

हजारौंको संख्यामा आन्दोलनकारीले सडक भरिएको थियो । छतमा आन्दोलनकारीलाई सर्मथन गर्दै सयौं सर्वसाधारण ताली बजाइरहेका थिए । एक बजेबाट आन्दोलनकारी र प्रहरीबीच झडप सुरु भयो । हजारौंको संख्यामा रहेका आन्दोलनकारीले प्रहरीलाई ढुंगाले खेद्दै विश्वविद्यालय हाताभित्रबाट गेटसम्म पुर्‍याए ।

पूरै बजार आन्दोलनकारीले नियन्त्रणमा लिएका थिए । प्रत्येक आन्दोलनकारीका हातमा ढुंगा, इँटा र लठ्ठी थिए । प्रहरीले दक्षिणकाली सडकबाट अश्रुग्यास फाल्दा त्यसैले प्रतिकार गर्थे । आन्दोलनकारीले टायर बालेर सडक अवरुद्ध पारेका थिए । मुढा र ढुंगा तेर्साएर पूरै सडक अवरुद्ध बनाएका थिए ।

प्रहरीले हानेको अश्रुग्यास आन्दोलनकारीले प्रहरीतर्फ टिपेर फालिदिन्थे । प्रहरी र आन्दोलनकारीबीच भएको झडपमा दुई प्रहरी अधिकृत घाइते भए । आन्दोलनकारीलाई नियन्त्रण गर्न प्रहरीले दर्जनौं राउन्ड अश्रुग्यास हानेको थियो ।

झन्डै दुई सयको संख्यामा रहेका प्रहरीलाई लखेट्दा सयौंको संख्यामा छतमा रहेका स्थानीयवासीले समर्थन जनाउँदै आन्दोलनकारीको हौसला बढाइरहेका थिए ।

आन्दोलनमा स्थानीयवासी र केटाकेटीले अश्रुग्यासको मुस्लो निस्किन नदिन बाल्टिनमा पानी बोकेर हिँडेका थिए । ग्यासको सेल आउने बित्तिकै उनीहरूले भिजेको जुटको बोराले छोप्ने गर्थे । एक स्थानीयवासीले ०४६ साल आन्दोलनको याद आएको उल्लेख गर्दै भने, 'पहिले पनि कीर्तिपुरमा यस्तै आन्दोलन भएको थियो ।'

दलका नेताले आन्दोलनलाई रोकेर राख्न खोजेका छन् । त्यसलाई तोड्नुपर्ने आन्दोलकारीले बताए । उनीहरूले तीन जना गुप्तचर प्रहरीलाई समातेर पिट्दै बजार परिक्रमा गराएका थिए ।

Posted on: 2006-04-07 19:52:04



Nepal Solidarity Update 3

April 8, 2006

Royal regime killed two more peaceful demonstrators

Pokhara - As the general strikes called by the Seven Political Party Alliance enters into third day, the royal regime is further intensifying its brutal attack to the peaceful demonstrators. This morning, one more pro-democracy activist was shot dead by the Royal Nepal Army in Pokhara (200 km west of Kathmandu). Bhimsen Dahal, 32 year old and a member of CPN (UML), was killed by the security personnel while he was taking part in the peaceful demonstration this morning. The military bullets killed Mr. Dahal at the spot and seriously injured six other demonstrators including Gangadhar Baral and it is reported that their conditions are serious. The shooting in Pokhara was taken place when king Gyanendra himself was in Pokhara.

Chitawan - a large demonstration was carried out in Bharatpur, Chitawan where security personnel indiscriminately opened fire and killed a women demonstrator and injured many. It is reported that around 100,000 people participated the protest march (it is reported that it was one of the largest demonstrations in these weeks) in Bharatpur which also broke the security obstacles in various places. When the marchers were reached at the main chowk, the security personnel opened fire without warning and brutally killed a women activist.

Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur - Defying the curfew order imposed by the royal regime in Kathmandu, a demonstration was held in Kalanki Kathmandu and Modanath Prashrit and Dr. Pushpa Kandel of CPN (UML) and one member of Nepali Congress were arrested from the demonstration. Similarly, demonstration was also carried out in Maitidevi where security personnel open fire and injured 55 demonstrators. Among the injured 15 were arrested from Maitidevi including Tanka Paneru. At Chabahil – Chuchhepati another demonstration was held and police used teargas and lathi to disperse the march and arrested Mr. Ram Babu three others. At Gangabu area large demonstration was carried out and police opened fire and arrested Ashok Ghimire, Nireshlal Singh, Ms Devi Phuyal and Prem Silwal. ANNFSU – one of the largest students organization of Nepal organized a demonstration at Bagbazaar to defy the curfew order this morning. 10 students leaders including president Khimlal Bhattarai, General Secretary Thakur Gaire, Secretary Yagya Sunwar, Secretary were arrested from the demonstration. Meanwhile, people of Patan today again chased away the security personnel from the inner city area and held demonstrations at Magnal Bazaar defying the curfew order. In Bhaktapur also demonstration is being organized challenging the government’s curfew order.

Dailekh - Demonstration was also held in Dailekh where clashes occurred with the security personnel and 42 demonstrators were arrested.

Surkhet - Protest march was also carried out in Surkhet and clashes occurred where Distirict administration imposed curfew after the clashes.

Janakpur – Over 15000 thousand people took part in the protest marchin Janakpur where the marchers forced the security forces to retreat from their barricades in the city.

Nepalgunj - Thousands of people joined the protest rally in Nepalgunj defying the security restrictions.

Sunsari – Protest marches are also carrying out in Dharan this afternoon.

Jhapa – Demonstrations are being carried out in Damak, Birtamod, Chandragadhi and Dhulabari. In Dhamak demonstrations over 12 thousand people marched in the main city and broke the security barricades.

To mark the historic day (April – 8 democracy day), protest programs were also organized in Kavre, Parbat, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Hetauda and many other districts. Over thousand participants were arrested from those demonstrations.

Call for defy curfew: Meanwhile two parties – CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress of Seven Party Alliance have issued separate statements urging people to actively participate the protest march defying all the restrictions including the curfew order.

(The above report is by Nepal Solidarity.)


Protestors chase away police, take control of all government offices, declare Chitwan ‘republic region’
(Source of this report will be posted as available.)

Protesting against the government repression on Friday’s peaceful protests, more than 50 thousand protestors took to the streets here in Chitwan, chanting slogans against monarchy and in favour of republicanism.

The protestors have chased away the security men and have taken under control all administrative offices. They have declared the Chitwan district a “republic region.”

All government offices in Chitwan are under the control of the protestors for the last one hour. They have chased away the policemen deployed to suppress the agitation across the Narayani river. Additional security forces have not arrived. Over 150 protestors have been injured in teargas shell firing by the police.

Thousands of protestors have assembled at Chaubiskothi, Narayangadh bazaar. Chanting anti-monarchy slogans, they say “Chitwan has become the first republic district in the country.”

Police arrested over a hundred protestors in the morning.

Yesterday, nearly three dozen protestors were injured when police in indiscriminate baton-charge by the police. Dozens were arrested.

Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King



Curfew, Shoot At Sight Order

This is pathetic. This is cruel. This is undemocratic. This is sadistic. This is attempted murder. This is a call to arms. The king's order is tantamount to saying, okay, so you are a human being, and that means maybe you have a right to peaceful assembly, but I don't care. If you practice that right, you are headed for a certain death. That is what the king's stunt means.

The king is saying to the people, with your money I buy the bullets, with your money I pay the salaries of these soldiers, and I am going to order them to shoot you down. That is what he is saying.

This is heinous. This is barbaric.

Postponing The Big Day By A Day

I just read in news KP Oli had made public the decision to postpone the big demonstrations by a day. I believe that is a wise decision. We have to act smart. We have to outsmart these dumb people in power. Their hearts are dumb, their minds are out of place.

I like this cat and mouse game. Let's play it. If they impose a curfew for Saturday, our big day shifts to Sunday. If they do a repeat on Sunday, on Sunday we break the curfew. If they shoot down peaceful protestors, Kamal Thapa and the king and a few others are looking at going behind bars for life.

They don't have the option to shoot. Unless they are suicidal, which might as well be.

Keep Learning

We learned from the January 20 experience. That is how we have come this far this second time around. We have to keep learning. We have to preempt their every move. They have only so many moves they can make. What are they? We have to figure them out beforehand.

They will arrest. They will fire tear gas. They will baton-charge. They will impose a curfew. They will shoot. They will threaten. They might even offer back door dialogue.

We have to think up our counter moves, early and ready. So far we are doing great. A regime that was already so very isolated had become even more so. But this movement is not about the foreign powers. The good news is the Nepali people are upto the challenge.

Don't Let The Momentum Break

We got the momentum. The wind is behind our back. We have to build on it. We have to take this revolution to new heights. This one is for the history books.

Keep The Chain Of Command Intact

Mass arrests are a great idea, but we have to do it in a way such that the chain of command stays intact. That means some leaders of every level will have to stay underground or semi-underground until the movement concludes.

Do the smart thing, stay away from prison as far as possible. If you do go to prison, and you are a key organizer, make sure there is some replacement, there is a plan B.

As the movement gathers momentum, the chain of command will become even more crucial. When the revolution hits its climax, that is when we will need the best brains. Because at that point things will go rapid motion. We are going to take over the state machinery. And we have to mentally prepare now.

Non Techie Communication: Courier Service

They may cut the phone lines. But we have people. The entire chain of command should be tied to an equally good chain of communication. I am thinking courier service. Handwritten notes, delivered by human beings.

The World Is With You: You Have Been Winning

They have been losing. That is the news.

Their Options

They could stop the repression. They could release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally. They could come around to the constituent assembly roadmap.

Or we are headed towards a revolutionary parliament.

What Is A Revolutionary Parliament?

The 1999 House that will function under an interim constitution. It will have revolutionary powers. It could declare the country a republic. It could purge the entire army top brass. It could do things like that. It could send Kamal Thapa and the king to jail, for example.

Get Even: Document Everything

Anything the regime does that violates your human rights, they will pay for. Document every atrocity. There is enormous power in non-violence, there is enormous power in rule of law, there is enormous power in democracy. All the power is people power.

Stay United, Stay In Good Spirits

Victory is in sight. Can you smell it?

In The News

Violent protests continue in Nepal CNN-IBN, India
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Houston Chronicle
Nepal imposes curfew as protests continue ABC Online
Nepal Imposes Curfew Before Fierce Rally ABC News
Struggle and strife for Nepalis BBC News
Nepal Rally Postponed
CBS News
Nepal Oppn postpones anti-royal rally Hindustan Times
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA
Day-time curfew imposed in Kathmandu
Deccan Herald, India
Nepal Oppn postpones anti-royal rally
Deccan Herald, India
NEPAL: Violence takes toll during Friday demonstrations
IRINnews.org, NY
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight
Munster Times, IN
Police Clash With Student Protesters
Los Angeles Times, CA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight
The Columbian, WA
Day 3 of Nepal opposition protests: Curfew, mobile phone links ...
Sioux City Journal, IA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
Curfew imposed in Nepal
NDTV.com, India
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
Curfew imposed in Nepal
NDTV.com, India
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Auburn Citizen, NY
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight San Jose Mercury News, USA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Munster Times, IN
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Terre Haute Tribune Star, IN
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV
Nepal soldiers battle rebels CNN International
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Norman Transcript, OK
Nepalese Government threaten to shoot protestors on sight Unison.ie, Ireland
Nepalese Government threaten to shoot protestors on sight Westmeath Independent, Ireland
Hundreds arrested in Nepal protests Gulf Times, Qatar
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Chippewa Herald, WI
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight CBS News
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Examiner.com, CA
4 injured, 9 Arrested as Protestors Defy Curfew in Kathmandu Himalayan Times, Nepal
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Guardian Unlimited, UK
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight ABC News
Update 8: Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Forbes
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Houston Chronicle, United States
Curfew in Kathmandu, phone services snapped NewKerala.com, India
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Arab Times, Kuwait
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight The Columbian, WA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Terre Haute Tribune Star, IN
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Auburn Citizen, NY
Nepalese authorities impose all-day curfew to stop protests Radio New Zealand, New Zealand
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight ABC News
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight The Tribune-Democrat, PA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Norman Transcript, OK
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight TheNewsTribune.com (subscription), WA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight TheNewsTribune.com (subscription), WA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Houston Chronicle, United States
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Norman Transcript, OK
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Examiner.com, CA
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Reuters India, India
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests ABC News
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Times Daily, AL
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Metro Toronto, Canada
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight ABC News
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight The Tribune-Democrat, PA
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Dose.ca, Canada
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Norman Transcript, OK
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Times Daily, AL
Nepal Oppn postpones anti-royal rally Hindustan Times, India
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Boston Globe, United States
Call to end king's rule in Nepal Boston Globe, United States
Opposition Rally in Katmandu Postponed CBS News
Opposition Rally in Katmandu Postponed phillyBurbs.com, PA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Macon Telegraph, GA
Opposition Rally in Katmandu Postponed The Tribune-Democrat, PA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Grand Forks Herald, ND
Nepal cuts phones, imposes curfew Bangkok Post, Thailand
Nepal King Orders Protesters Shot on Sight Guardian Unlimited, UK
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Duluth News Tribune, MN
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Reuters Canada, Canada
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Akron Beacon Journal, OH
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Bradenton Herald, United States
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king protests Reuters
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Contra Costa Times, CA
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Miami Herald, FL
Day-time curfew imposed in Kathmandu ahead of major protests Outlook (subscription), India
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight The State, SC
Opposition Rally in Katmandu Postponed The Ledger, FL
Opposition rally in Katmandu postponed Pioneer Press, MN
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Monterey County Herald, CA
Opposition rally in Katmandu postponed Kentucky.com, KY
Nepal king orders protesters shot on sight Albany Times Union, NY
Opposition rally in Katmandu postponed Biloxi Sun Herald, USA
Opposition rally in Katmandu postponed Kansas City Star, MO
Nepal Rally Postponed CBS News
Opposition rally in Katmandu postponed Charlotte Observer, NC
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King Gyanendra of Nepal Addresses The World Hindu Federation NewsBlaze, CA

His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev At Pipara Muth, Birgunj on The Occasion of The Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations of The World Hindu Federation

April 7, 2006

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is indeed a pleasure for us to be amongst this august gathering of revered sages, religious leaders, excellencies, scholars and participants who are here to take part in this ceremony being held on the occasion of the silver jubilee anniversary of the World Hindu Federation.

The Kingdom of Nepal, the fountainhead of Hinduism, has, since time immemorial, provided ascetics and mystics with the spiritual ground for meditation. Siddhartha Gautam, the founder of Buddhism, is a son of this land. Buddhism later spread far and wide, including India, China and Japan, and Lord Buddha came to be revered as the proponent of peace, a fact we should take pride in. Janaki is also a daughter of this soil. Having never faced any kind of discord in the name of religion, Nepal can be taken as a paradigm of perfect harmony between religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. While holding all religions in high esteem, we firmly believe in the good virtue of creating a peaceful environment. This is also an outstanding attribute of Hinduism.

Nepal is not only home to Vedic sages and Buddhist philosophers. According to scriptures, Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, meditated on the banks of the holy Bishnumati River and Emperor Bharat, son of Rishabhdev, considered the first Tirthankar of the Jain sect, meditated on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River in Nepal. So it can be surmised that the strong religious pillars of all four sects, namely Vedic, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh, were bonded in Nepal, thereby paving the way for the spontaneous development of the Omkar Parivar.

The holy land of Nepal, which has the distinction of having sacred places like the Pashupat, Baraha, Ruru and Mukti Regions and is also referred to in the Puranas, is a common site of pilgrimage for all. The people of Nepal and India enjoy similar culture and tradition, with the age-old affinity and affection fostered by shared religious beliefs complementing one another. Common perspectives have been developed in a number of issues. The deep sentimental relations between the Hindus of the world has augmented and inspired the advancement of fraternity amongst Hindus all over in the 21st century.

Hinduism, which dates back to the beginning of civilisation itself, embraces the high ideals of tolerance and "Vasudaiva kutumbakam" or universal fraternity. In these ideals lies the strength in the relations amongst various faiths in this Hindu Kingdom.

Based on humanistic ideals, the Hindu culture, which espouses the precept "Sarve bhawantu sukhina sarve santu niramaya" or "Let every human being be happy and free of disease; let every individual's well-being be ensured", is dedicated to the good and peace of all. These ideals must be incorporated into our way of life, as inscribed in the great religious epic The Bhagawat Gita.

There are many instances where, for peace, many sages have sacrificed their lives. To establish permanent peace in the true sense is the need of the day. Let us all pledge to dedicate some of our time towards this noble cause. The holy Vedas also lay special emphasis on peace and humanism.

The Hindu religion touches every aspect of our lives. To this day, it continues to occupy the pride of place it had acquired during ancient times. We are confident that, like in the past thousands of years, its future is eternally secure because its ideals and philosophy have not been distorted. We believe that religion leads an individual on the path of righteousness. Hinduism endorses reincarnation and purity of the soul. Our religion teaches us that no matter how difficult a task may be, we must pursue to execute it with a sense of dedication and dutifulness since our good deeds in this world ensures our well-being in the next. At the same time, it also inspires us to view life in a positive manner.

It is a matter of satisfaction that the Third World Hindu Convention and, under the auspices of the Convention, the Shanti Sammelan (Peace Conference) and Santa Sammelan (Sages' Conference) are being held on the auspicious occasion of the silver jubilee anniversary of the World Hindu Federation. We are confident that the recommendations adopted by these conferences will provide important guidelines for the benefit of the Hindu world as well as humankind as a whole.

Finally, while conveying best wishes for the success of the silver jubilee anniversary, we wish to thank the organisers and participants on behalf of the Queen and ourselves.

May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!

Jaya Nepal!