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Bulletin #15: Nepal Democracy Solidarity Convention

The Nepal Democracy Solidarity Convention, was held in New Dehli on February 24 to express a unified condemnation of King Gyanendra’s actions by the major Indian political parties ranging from the Congress to the CPI (ML) and to demand the democracy be restored.

Withdraw the State of Emergency!!

Resume freedom of press!!

Release political prisoners!!

Reinstate civil rights!!

Stop betrayal against multi-party democracy!!

Facilitator : Dev Prakash Tripathy, General Secretary, Nationalist Congress Party

Welcome speech by Harkishan Singh Surjeet, General Secretary, CPI (M)

I welcome all of the people of Nepal present here.

The king has murdered people's democracy in Nepal.

It is heartening to see that we have the largest joint front to support the movement for democracy in Nepal. This includes all the left parties, socialists and the Congress.

The king should realize that regimes are destroyed when they try to strangle democracy.

I would like to assure you that we have full solidarity with the people of Nepal and the movement for democracy in Nepal.

Inaugural Speech by Chandra Shekhar, Former Prime Minister of India and Senior Socialist Leader

I am very proud to have got this opportunity, to express solidarity for the movement for democracy in Nepal, again. Many of you would remember that I was also lucky enough to have got the opportunity to make a solidarity speech at the beginning of the movement for democracy in Nepal in 1990.

The problem in Nepal now is not just a problem for Nepal. It is a problem for the whole of South Asia. I had guessed for some years that this would happen, that the king would take over power. The king seems to have never realized that this step of his would never succeed. Any human who pretends to be a god, who wants to be a god will be destroyed completely.

This king does not seem keen to learn and think. He wants to subdue the wishes of the tens of million of people for his personal ambition. He has to be very clear that the international community will not give him, one person, the chance to decide the fate of tens of millions of people. The international community has condemned his move.

This is a matter of pride for people who believe in democracy and who think it is their duty to support and defend democracy. Donor countries are stopping aid to the king's government.

The government of India has stopped military aid to Nepal. Our support is meant for the people, poor people. If the king does not change immediately, more actions from India are necessary.

I welcome all the Nepalis here. All the citizens of India are with the citizens of Nepal. I believe that the Indian government will also be with the people of Nepal. From the people's side, we will give you all the support you need. The people present here in this forum represent all sections of the people and political forces of India.

I wish the king of Nepal had some brain. I again express our full solidarity peace and democracy in Nepal.

Chiwdhary Ajit Singh, Rastriaya Lok Dal, President

I express my full solidarity for the movement for democracy in Nepal.

Prof. Anil Mishra, Socialist Front

(Proposal for joint Resolution of the Convention Representatives)

We unanimously condemn the undemocratic move of king Gyanendra on February 1. We express full solidarity with the people of Nepal and the movement for democracy there.

We assure the people of Nepal full moral and political support in their struggle for democracy.

We demand the immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency in Nepal.

We urge the Government of India not to give political legitimacy to this government of Nepal.

Amarjit Singh Kaur, Politburo Member, CPI

(Endorsement of the joint Resolution of the Convention, on behalf of all the representatives)

I would like to endorse the resolution just proposed and would like to request all the representatives and the participants present here to endorse this Resolution by applauding loudly. [Loud applauds and the Resolution declared Endorsed]

This is a Resolution with great significance, not only for Nepal, but also for entire South Asian countries, which all need support for democracy. It is great that this is passed now. I also would like to request that we follow-up on this constantly.

Harkishan Singh Surjeet, General Secretary, CPI (M)

(second speech)

We are here to condemn the situation in Nepal. Nepal is now plunged into dark, but you will be free. You need to be united.

I know that many of your leaders have been forced to go underground. But I also know they are trying to regroup and launch the movement for democracy from the underground. We have also gone through similar difficulties in our struggle for democracy in India.

I had gone with Chandra Shekharji to Nepal before, in 1990, to express solidarity for the movement for democracy in Nepal. I am doing it once again.

All the Indian citizens are with you. We will coordinate with the Nepalis here. We are all together. We will not give any chance to this autocrat. Our government is solidly behind you.

I appeal to all the representatives here to contribute whatever you can so that the Nepali people can get out of this crisis and get freedom as soon as possible.

Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist)

Fifteen years ago, there was a movement for democracy in Nepal. The colour of that movement was growing very red. But the monarchy was allowed to retain power, with the imagination that he would be confined to a ceremonial role. But, slowly, the absolute king is back. This time, this monarchy needs to be abolished completely.

The US imperialism wants its presence in South Asia through this king. The US imperialists are behind the king's coup.

If democracy in Nepal is in danger, the Indian democracy will also be in danger. The Indian state is harassing genuine Indian leftist activists and genuine Nepali migrants and social workers in the Indian states bordering Nepal in the name of containing Nepali extremists.

We welcome the stopping of military aid to Nepal by the Indian government. If our government supports this regime in Nepal we will wage a struggle against our government from here.

I urge the Nepali political parties to learn from your past experiences, and make your agendas and strategies accordingly. Nepal will certainly be a people democratic republic soon. We promise all kinds of support and solidarity from our side.

Romesh Bhandari - Central Working Committee Member, Indian National Congress

People in many countries are struggling for democracy. But, why are we in India, united on the issue of Nepal, specifically? It is because, we have special relations with Nepal. Geographically, historically, culturally. The security situation in Nepal is as important for us as the situation in Bhutan, Kashmir, the Northeast. We have realized it for long. The 1950 treaty is the outcome of that realization.

We reinstated king Tribhuwan back on the throne of Nepal, after he had fled to India from the Ranas. He had promised Nehruji that he would support the process of democratization in Nepal.

We want unity, security and development in Nepal. Now there is danger of attack to Nepal from the north. Rajiv Gandhi was of the view that we need to have good relations with other countries, especially neighbors.

The king needs to learn that suppressing people is going to be dangerous for monarchy. I had told Birendra once, "look at what happened in Iran, how the king had to flee, learn from that".

People are like steam. If you suppress them they will burst. The more the king suppresses the people, the more dangerous it will be for him. The king's action is bad for Nepal, our security and stability.

The king should retract this wrong step as soon as possible. The king should take back his step immediately. We warn him.

The political parties should be united. Then you can go ahead. No power in the world can stop you. You can go forward with whatever common agenda you have.

Dev Brat Bishwas, General Secretary, Forward Block

There is one message we want to give here - all of India is with Nepal, the people of Nepal, and for the movement for democracy. We give you complete support for your democracy movement.

The Indian government should take notice of the sentiment here. It should take imediate steps to restore democracy in Nepal.

This king - how did he dare take this step? To murder democracy and to impose emergency. All the countries of the world are against him. Nobody is supporting him.

Why did he do it?

You need to have unity of the people in Nepal. The unity of the left and democratic forces. That is the first and foremost requirement. Then we will definitely support your struggle.

You need to start the movement fast. We all politicians in India will support your movement, individually and collectively. We are the largest democracy in the world. We have to support democracy movements, especially in our neighboring country Nepal, with which we have special ties. We believe you will start a joint movement soon. We, all the people of India are with you.

This is a fight of the palace versus the people. In such fights, the people will be victorious.

Prof. Bimal Prasad , Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal and senior historian

I am delighted that all the political forces of India, at least those believing in democracy, are represented here.

This Nepal Democracy Solidarity committee has been established. It needs to continue. This also needs to be expanded. This committee will be needed for a long time in the future. As they say, public memory is very short. We should not forget the Nepal issue after a few months. The Indian government has taken strong steps in favor of democracy in Nepal. The government also needs strong public support. All sections of society need to support the movement for democracy in Nepal.

The Indian government had issued strong statement immediately after the king's move. But statement by themselves mean little if not followed by concrete action. Our government has made it public now that it has stopped military aid to Nepal from 1 February. At this time, unity among democratic forces in Nepal is needed.

I was the ambassador to Nepal in 1991. I know that the unity among the democratic forces was crucial for gaining democracy in 1990. But that unity could not last long. This time, the unity has to be long-term, for we don't know how long the fight will go on for.

Whether the king remains or not in Nepal is not our concern. But we want stability in Nepal. The political parties need to be united post-monarchy as well. Anarchy in Nepal is not going to be good for India.

I never trusted this king's motives. This is a very cunning man (ye bahut dhurt aadmi hai). I know him since long. Maybe he's compulsive.

Be united and go ahead.

Surendra Mohan, Senior Socialist Leader

It is good to know that all the major political parties of India are represented here.

Long term unity among the political parties of Nepal is needed. You cannot win a struggle without unity. We, in India, created this solidarity committee promptly, without any hesitation. As professor Bimal Prasad suggested, we need to keep this committee continuing.

The kings of Nepal have always been against democracy. Mahendra was against democracy. We supported BP Koirala, in his struggle for democracy. After the coup of 1960, it took 30 years for democracy to be restored. But this time it won't take that long.

The political parties in Nepal, you need to go against monarchy now, for democracy. Go with courage. We are all with you.

Anand Sharma - Spokesperson and Member of Central Working Committee, Indian National Congress

We in India are all united for the cause of democracy in Nepal. We condemn the February 1 move by the king.

India cannot be a mute spectator when democracy is strangled in Nepal. I extend full support to the movement for democracy.

In 2002, state of emergency was supported by al the political parties. The king took advantage of the contradiction among the political parties. This time you need to be united. Again.

Let such a government be established in Nepal, which is representative, works in the interest of the people, and for development.

We wish you all luck and you will have all our support

You need to amend this constitution so that such type of incidents can never repeat in the future.

Good luck and in solidarity.

Vijay Pratap, Coordinator, Socialist Front

I congratulate you Nepalis. Now you have a clear choice to make - monarchy or democracy. The dark Feb 1 was a blessing in disguise.

People in Nepal have sacrificed many times in the past for democracy and dignity. We are all in solidarity, with you.

What the Indian government did this time to support democracy is good. However, nation states the world over compromise for their interest in this globalized world. We need to be cautious, and don't let it happen in the case of Nepal. I appeal to each political party in India to form a special Nepal cell.

I appeal to the BJP to stop supporting the king. The BJP needs to apologize to the nation, if you can't get the Vishhow Hindu Parishad to retract its statement supporting the king's coup. India is the nation which had great leaders like Gandhi. He was a great Hindu. Hinduism is not what the Sangh Parivar defines it to be. What the king of Nepal did has nothing to do with Hinduism.

Let us have a unanimous resolution in the parliament in support of democracy in Nepal. The BJP should also support such resolution.

The left and democratic forces in Nepal need to have unity. Of course, there is no need to have unity that is artificial. Differences will remain in terms of ideology. Such differences should indeed remain. But, you can still have a working unity. The Maoists should also realize this.

The Nepali Maoists sound as if they are a cell of the US foreign ministry. They have openly spoken about the need for India to disintegrate so that Nepal can emerge as a strong nation. How can they be talking like this? A disintegrated India is not going to be in any country's interest.

India is going to remain as it is. The Maoists need to stop having such illusions. India is a reality for Nepal. You have to realize that you can't change your neighbour. If there is no strong India, Nepal will be under US imperialism. The Maoists support multi-party democracy only as a strategy, not as an objective. They need to compromise with the democratic political parties and people of Nepal.

The Nepali society has been democratized over the years. The parties need to realize this. Therefore, they need to restructure in tandem with the democratizing Nepali society. The civil society plays important role in any movement for democracy. You need to recognize their agenda and roles.

A. B. Bardhan, General Secretary, Communist Party of India

I heartily welcome the representatives of Nepali political parties present here. This has indeed become a joint meeting of Indian and Nepali political parties. History, geography and culture have ensured common destiny for us. There is no international border between Nepal and India.

Nepali people are having to fight for and sacrifice for democracy again and again. The last constitution was made after a great sacrifice of the people. The history seems to repeat in Nepal again and again. This time it is a deplorable situation.

The king has asked for three years. He wants three years to consolidate his autocracy. I tell you, this time, he will not have three years. See what happens within three months.

The political parties in Nepal need to be united. There can be little differences. But they can be sorted out after the struggle is over.

India has stopped military aid to Nepal. The prime minister invited us in the evening of 1 February to discuss the situation in Nepal. I told him that evening that India should immediately stop military aid to this autocrat.

The prime minister asked, "but would some other countries not continue supplying arms to Nepal?" We said India should prevent it. No foreign intervention in Nepal will be acceptable to India.

The BJP appears to be proud that they now have a powerful Hindu king in Nepal. There's no need to rejoice. This king will not survive for long.

There are exaggerated talks in India about the Nepali and Indian Maoists developing a corridor from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh. That the Nepali Maoists are a threat to India. But these are exaggerated views. The Nepali Maoists are Nepalis and the Indian Maoists are Indians. They are separate. India should not be paranoid about the Nepali Maoists. Let the Nepali people decide.

We have always been supporting the struggle against autocracy in Nepal. We will continue doing this. I agree with the suggestion that we continue the Nepal Democracy Solidarity Committee. We need to be conscious that this agenda should not die down after a few months.

Dilip Singh Bhuriya, President, Jan Bikash Congress

We are the largest democracy in the world. But in our neighbor democracy has been strangulated. Nepal is burning now. It is a matter of great concern to us.

We support the people's verdict in Nepal. We support democracy in Nepal. Nepal needs to have a democratic government.

Brija Bhusan Tiwari, Senior Leader, Samajwadi Party

We unanimously condemn the murder of democracy in Nepal. And we demand restoration of democracy.

My electoral constituency is near to the Nepal border. I have been meeting many Nepali friends. I was suspecting for long that this king would take such a step. He has always been against the people. He has been against the Nepali people of Indian origin.

He has been spreading anti-India sentiment among the Nepali people through the Maoists. I have always had the suspicion that the Maoists are supported by this king. They have been used by him to murder democracy so that he could usurp power.

We need to put so much pressure on him that he is forced to retract his step. We also need to work towards creating international opinion against his move. We need to be cautious and not allow foreign intervention in Nepal. But they need to support democracy in Nepal.

Surendra Shastri, President, Jay Jawan Jay Kishan Party

We need to be united in India to for the cause of restoring democracy in Nepal. If we don't stop the danger to democracy in Nepal, it will spread danger to democracy in other countries too.

The king had been hatching conspiracy for long. He wanted to show that there is too much instability in Nepal and that democracy does not function in Nepal. He has always been against democracy.

We extend our full support to you. The Indian government needs to apply very strong pressure to the king. We need to take up this issue in the upcoming SAARC meetings. Let democracy be restored in Nepal as soon as possible.

Ramesh Dixit, Professor, Luckhnow University

Autocratic monarchies in many countries have been thrown into heaps of trash. Now it seems that the Nepali monarchy is going to be thrown that way too. Let the Nepali people decide whether they want monarchy or not.

Democracy in Nepal is beneficial for Indian democracy as well.

Its good that the Sangh Parivar was not invited in this convention. Everybody else is united for democracy in Nepal. This is rare occasion and issue in India in which, for the first time, political forces ranging from CPI(ML) to the Congress are together at the same stage.

Interestingly, one former prime minister of India inaugurated this event, and another former prime minister is going to close it. This time, the king will lose, the people of Nepal

VP Singh, Former Prime Minister of India

(Closing speech)

Our commitment to democracy in Nepal is very old.

Gyanendra's action is very short-sighted. He is misguided in thinking that he can fight the Maoists without support from the people.

Nepal needs an election as soon as possible.

For India, the important issue is not the king, but the nation.

The Nepali nation will not exist without our military support. We need to apply pressure in support of democracy. But let the pressure not be an overdose. Power collapse in Nepal is not in our interest.

Lets conduct a 'surgical operation' in Nepal. Lets not create a mess. Lets work so carefully, so that we do away with autocracy and reinstate democracy without any mess, very cleanly. As they say, lets skim off the fat, without disturbing the milk.