Social Studies Note for Grade X | Unit- 7 | Lesson- 4 Political Events from 2017 BS to 2046 BS-1

Political Events from 2017 BS to 2046 BS

l. Piskar Assasination

On 1st Magh, 2040 BS, while a cultural programme was running at Piskar Mahadev in Sindhupalchok district, the police surrounded the site and killed Ile Thami, Bir Bahadur Thami and other many innocent children. Dozens of people were arrested and tortured. This incident is called Piskar Assassination. After this incident, vote of no confidence was launched in National Panchayat by the then members of parliament. Surya Bahadur Thapa was removed from the post of Prime Minister and Lokendra Bahadur Chand was appointed the new Prime Minister.

m. Satyagraha and Bomb Blast

On 10th Jestha 2042 BS, the Nepali Congress launched a non-violent movement throughout the county. But at the same time, a political party called the Janabadi Morcha led by Ramraja Prasad Singh exploded bombs in various important cities of the country including the royal palace of Kathmandu on 6th Asadh, 2042 BS demanding republicanism in the country. The Panchayat government passed a new law and Ramraja Prasad Singh, Singh and Khem Raj Bhatta were announced death penalty. It obstructed the movement and the Nepali Congress withdrew Satyagraha.

n. People's Movement of 2046 BS

The Movement launched to restore multi-party democracy from 7th Falgun, 2046 BS to 26th Chaitra, 2046 BS for 49 days in the leadership of Ganeshman Singh was People's Movement of 2046 BS. It is popularly known as People's Movement – I nowadays.

Causes of People's Movement

1. Undemocratic nature of Panchayat system
2. People were deprived of human rights and fundamental rights
3. Corruption, smuggling and other activities increased in the country, and
4. Failure of Panchayat system to bring reforms in the country.

So, in order to release the people from such condition, the Nepali Congress and the United Left Front (Samyukta Bammorcha) took a historical decision to launch a united people's movement.

A national conference of Nepali Congress was held from 5th to 7th Magh of 2046 BS at the residence of Ganesh Man Singh. The leaders of the United Left Front and various political Parties of India participated in this conference. The Indian leaders promised to give full support to the mass movement for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Nepal.

The United mass movement of the Nepali Congress, the United Left Front and United National People's Movement (Samyukta Rastriya Jana Andolan) started on 7th Falgun 2046 BS. Ganesh Man Singh was declared the commander of the movement. Students played a vital role in this movement. Similarly lawyers, doctors, professors, teachers, businessmen, etc. became involved in this movement and held a huge demonstration in various parts of the country. Civil servants also joined this movement. Strikes demonstrations, disobedience of laws and rules, stopping tax payment, etc. were observed throughout the country. The students and police clashed in Patan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, Pokhara, Hetaunda, Janakpur, Biratnagar, etc. Many people got martyrdom. Lots of people were injured in clash with the police. Media like newspapers also played a vital role by publishing news in favour of the movement. Many people and political activists were imprisoned. The autocratic Panchayat government tried to suppress the people. To stop the movement, King Birendra, dissolved the government of Marich Man Singh and Lokendra Bahadur Chand was appointed as the Prime Minister. But the movement continued in full swing. At last, seeing no way out to this grim situation, King Birendra invited the leaders of the movement like Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Girija Prasad Koirala, Sahana Pradhan and Radha Krishna Mainali for negotiation on 26th of Chaitra 2046 BS. The leaders reached an agreement to lift the ban on political parties. At 11:00 PM a message was broadcasted on Radio Nepal and Nepal Television. It read that a ban on political parties had been removed from the Constitution of Nepal 2019 BS. The leaders declared the end of mass movement and it marked the restoration of democracy in Nepal.

Consequences of the People's Movement of 2046 BS

1. End of autocratic Panchayat system and restoration of democracy,
2. Interim government was formed from among the leaders of the various political parties,
3. Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 2047 BS was formulated,
4. Absolute monarchy was changed into constitutional monarchy,
5. Election of parliament was held and people got opportunity to choose their government by themselves.