Nepal Marks 20th Democracy Day Commemorating the 2063 Baisakh 11 Historic Restoration

Kathmandu. Today, the nation is celebrating the 20th Democracy Day with various programs to commemorate the democracy achieved through the success of the 2062/63 People's Movement. This day has been observed since 2064 B.S. to mark the historic event on 2063 Baisakh 11, when then-King Gyanendra reinstated the dissolved parliament in accordance with the roadmap proposed by the agitating political parties.

In Nepal's political history, the instability and series of direct royal rule that began after the dissolution of parliament on 2059 Jestha 8 ended with the declaration on Baisakh 11. After appointing and dismissing Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Surya Bahadur Thapa, and Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Ministers, King Gyanendra took full control of state power on 2061 Magh 19. Following this move, the 12-point agreement reached in 2062 Mangsir between the seven agitating parties and the then-armed CPN (Maoist) gave the movement a decisive turn.

The decisive movement, which began in 2062 Falgun under the leadership of then-Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, became nationwide by Chaitra. With the start of the new year 2063, millions of people took to the streets, filling the Ring Road like a human ocean, forcing King Gyanendra to address the demands of the parties. On the night of Baisakh 11, the King announced the reinstatement of parliament and called for a session, marking a victory for the people. This day is considered the strong foundation of the Republic in Nepal.

Following the reinstatement of parliament, the meeting held on 2063 Jestha 4 curtailed the powers of the Royal Palace and suspended the monarchy. This historic declaration is also known as the Nepali Magna Carta. On this foundation, the first Constituent Assembly election was held in 2064 B.S., and the first meeting on 2065 Jestha 15 formally ended the 240-year-old monarchy, declaring Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic.

With the promulgation of the new constitution by the second Constituent Assembly on 2072 Ashoj 3, federalism has been implemented in Nepal.