{"id":15762,"date":"2026-04-24T08:34:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T02:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=15762"},"modified":"2026-04-24T08:34:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T02:49:38","slug":"20-years-of-democracy-achievements-challenges-and-the-way-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=15762","title":{"rendered":"20 Years of Democracy: Achievements, Challenges, and the Way Forward<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today is the 20th Democracy Day. On April 24, 2006 (Baisakh 11, 2063 BS), the then King Gyanendra was forced to reinstate the dissolved parliament under the pressure of the people’s movement. This day is the foundation of the constitutional provision that the supreme power of the Nepali people lies with the people themselves. However, while celebrating this day, it is necessary to seriously review the achievements we have made, the challenges we are facing, and the path ahead.<\/p>\n

The main achievement of the movement is the end of the 240-year-old monarchy. Along with this, Nepal became a nation with a constitution of a federal democratic republic. The first and second Constituent Assemblies institutionalized the voice of the people and formed three tiers of government. Currently, in accordance with the spirit of the constitution, the federal, provincial, and local levels are running governance. Media freedom, the activism of the judiciary, the expanding scope of women and Dalit participation, and the openness of civic expression \u2014 these are notable achievements of this democracy.<\/p>\n

However, these achievements cannot be read only as successes. In this two-decade-long journey, we still have many weaknesses. Economic inequality, the spread of corruption, delays in the full implementation of the constitution, and the lack of transfer of authority to provincial and local levels have made decentralization merely verbal.<\/p>\n

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) government, through the parliamentary regulations, has proposed provisions that would protect lawmakers from even being suspended in corruption cases, thereby raising questions on Article 18 (Right to Equality) of the constitution itself. This attempt to weaken the Corruption Prevention Act and the Money Laundering Prevention Act through regulations is contrary to the spirit of democracy.<\/p>\n

Even as freedom, accountability, and the governance system move toward responsibility, political instability has continued to recur. The history of governments being changed multiple times within five years shows that institutional stability has been weakened. Increasing arbitrariness in the name of appointments and the politics of perks and facilities have prevented parliament from becoming effective.<\/p>\n

We want to caution political parties that any attempt to misuse the constitution for the temptation of power or personal interest is tantamount to murdering democracy. Democracy Day is the memory of the people’s movement and sacrifice. No party should make it a tool for convenience by ignoring this.<\/p>\n

To strengthen democracy, we must accelerate the formulation and implementation of necessary laws. Democracy remains incomplete without full transfer of authority to provinces, making the judiciary effective, transparent economic policies, and a guarantee of good governance.<\/p>\n

The history of Baisakh 11 is our identity. It cannot be changed over and over. But if we only remember it on this day and forget to question the very state apparatus the next day, then our remembrance is incomplete.<\/p>\n

Conscious citizens, active journalists, and responsible political power are the protectors of democracy.<\/p>\n

On the occasion of this day, heartfelt tributes to all the martyrs, injured, and sacrifices of the people’s movement. But not just tributes \u2014 now it is essential to create another morning of action and integrity.<\/p>\n

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