The Value of the Republic and Citizens’ Expectations

Nepal is marking the 19th Republic Day after completing 18 years since the declaration of the federal democratic republic. This day is not merely a formal date on the calendar. It is a historic reminder of the Nepali people’s long struggle, sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering faith in change. The declaration of the republic by the elected Constituent Assembly, ending 240 years of monarchy, was a decisive turning point in Nepal’s political history.

The core meaning of a republic is the belief that the people are supreme. State power is not the property of any dynasty, family, or limited power center; it is a system based on the rights and mandate of the people. That is why Republic Day is also celebrated as the victory of the people over hereditary rule.

However, the republic is not merely the name of a change in the political system. Its success must be measured by the transformation it brings to people’s lives. If the language of the Constitution, institutions, and rights remains confined to paper, the true meaning of the republic becomes weak. The republic becomes meaningful only when citizens at the lowest levels of society can experience education, healthcare, employment, justice, security, dignity, and equal opportunity.

Over the past 18 years, Nepal has achieved important political milestones. A Constitution was drafted through the Constituent Assembly. Federalism, inclusiveness, proportional representation, secularism, social justice, and people’s sovereignty were institutionalized. Powers reached the local level. Representation of women, Dalits, Indigenous nationalities, Madheshis, Tharus, Muslims, marginalized communities, and backward regions increased. These are not ordinary achievements.

Yet, alongside these achievements, serious questions remain. Citizens have not yet fully experienced the good governance they expected. Corruption, unemployment, inflation, weak service delivery, administrative delay, unequal distribution of opportunities, and political instability have challenged public trust in the republic. Ordinary citizens continue to complain that although the system has changed, the expected transformation has not reached their daily lives.

The first foundation for strengthening the republic is good governance. State institutions must be transparent, accountable, and people-oriented. The idea that public office is a responsibility to serve, not a privilege to enjoy, must be reflected in practice. Without impartial investigation into corruption, simplicity in service delivery, discipline in administration, and firm adherence to the rule of law, trust in the republic cannot be strengthened.

The second foundation is economic justice. If young people are still forced to leave the country because they cannot find employment despite having political rights, the republic remains incomplete. Increasing production, promoting entrepreneurship, modernizing agriculture, expanding industry, promoting tourism, developing information technology, building skills, and creating dignified employment within the country are today’s major needs. The stability of the republic is also linked to the economic security of citizens.

The third foundation is social justice and inclusiveness. The republic must guarantee equal dignity to every citizen. If discrimination continues in practice despite legal equality, the purpose of the democratic republic will not be fulfilled. State resources, opportunities, and services must reach all classes, communities, regions, and genders in a fair and just manner.

The fourth foundation is democratic culture. A republic is not merely a system of winning elections and forming governments. It is a culture of respecting dissent, accepting criticism, protecting civil liberties, and strengthening institutions. Political parties, leaders, the government, the opposition, civil society, and the media must all observe democratic norms. Placing the republic above partisan interests is the need of the hour.

This day is also an opportunity to honor the martyrs, disappeared warriors, injured citizens, movement participants, and all those who struggled for change. Their sacrifice is not the private property of any party or group. It is the shared history of the nation. Therefore, protecting and developing the republic is a common responsibility of all.

The central question today is not whether the republic is necessary or not. The real question is how to make the republic more people-centered, just, well-governed, and result-oriented. The alternative to the republic is not a return to the past, but the construction of a more advanced, mature, and people-connected republic.

The 19th Republic Day gives us all a serious message of self-reflection. Political change must now be transformed into social and economic transformation. Policy must take priority over slogans, results over speeches, service over power, and responsibility alongside rights.

Strengthening the republic is not the responsibility of the government or political parties alone. It is a shared duty of all state institutions, civil society, the media, the private sector, the younger generation, and ordinary citizens. However, those in leadership carry the greatest responsibility. If they respect public trust and work honestly toward good governance, development, justice, and prosperity, the meaning of the republic will become deeper.

The core message of the 19th Republic Day is clear: let us not limit the republic to a formal celebration; let us make it a system that citizens can truly experience in their lives. The republic born from the people’s sacrifice must remain dedicated to the people’s welfare.