Nepal Celebrates 19th Republic Day, Former President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav Reflects on Journey

Lalitpur. With the strength of the seven-decade-long struggle of the Nepali people and the People's Movement of 2062/63, Nepal was declared a Federal Democratic Republic by the first meeting of the historic Constituent Assembly held on Jestha 15, 2065. Subsequently, on Shrawan 6, 2065, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav was elected as the first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

With the declaration of the republic and the establishment of the presidential institution, the federal system of governance was implemented. The constitution of Nepal was promulgated by the Constituent Assembly on Ashwin 3, 2072, by the hand of the first President Dr. Yadav himself, institutionalizing the Federal Democratic Republican system. Today, the 19th Republic Day is being celebrated in memory of the day the republic was declared. Presented here is an edited excerpt of a conversation with Dr. Yadav, the first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, as the country completes 18 years of the republic's attainment and celebrates the 19th Republic Day. 

How do you feel having successfully fulfilled the responsibility of the first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, coming from the battlefield of struggle?

Democracy, achieved in 2007 BS, faced regression in 2017 BS. At that time, we engaged in struggle through student movements. Following the People's Movements of 2036, 2046, and 2062/63, the system that restored democracy led to me having the opportunity to become the first President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. I wish that the constitution that exists in the country continues to be institutionalized. May the country progress well. May success be achieved in the journey of prosperity for the thirty million Nepalis.

How do you view the necessity of a republic in Nepal?

At that time, the monarchy repeatedly trampled on the constitution and ruled arbitrarily. In 2017 BS and 2059 BS, the spirit of the constitution was disregarded, and power was seized against the will of the people. Because of this, the people lost faith that the monarchy would protect their rights and defend democracy. It was felt that the monarchy repeatedly attacked the people's rights and did not respect their expectations. Therefore, the people sacrificed, launched movements and struggles to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic.

If we recall the old history of our country, during the Rana and Shah regimes, there was autocratic rule. As you know, in those past days, those in power held the rights of the people in their fists, and the people had to struggle for their rights. The struggle of 2007 BS was a result of that; after that struggle, the people established their rights. In 2017 BS, the king snatched the people's rights, and again the people had to struggle for a long time to regain the rights snatched by the king. Through 30 years of struggle, the people regained their rights in 2046 BS. But again, in 2059 BS, the king took a step, and the people, along with political parties, struggled and established their rights.

It has been almost two decades since the establishment of the republic in the country; what do you think the republic has given to the people and the country?

The republic has made the people the masters of the country; the people are the masters of the country themselves. The people's rights have returned to the people; the republic exists in a system established by the people. We have presented the constitution, made by two Constituent Assemblies, to the people; according to that constitution, there is a democratic system, federalism, inclusivity, and the rule of law in the country. It is a legal system operated by the people, with the participation of the people, for the people, with periodic elections and the system for the people to choose their own representatives. The people are sovereign, and there is a government elected by the people. There is the theoretical basis of democracy, a parliament elected by the people, and representatives of the people form the government. The government runs the country according to the will of the people and the decisions of the parliament; the government is for the benefit of the people, and this is the most advanced system in the world.

You bowed down to the constitution while it was being promulgated in 2072 BS; how did the idea of bowing to the constitution come to you at that time?

When I signed and presented the constitution to the people from the temple of democracy at the time of its promulgation, it was extremely significant. Because it was a constitution made by the Constituent Assembly, with the participation of political parties, it was my responsibility and duty to present it to the people according to the constitutional system. At that time, my heart told me that thousands of people had sacrificed their lives in such a long struggle. The Nepali people had struggled so much for their political rights, economic rights, and social justice. The achievement of that, the constitution made by two Constituent Assemblies, gave me the responsibility to offer it to the thirty million Nepali people and the motherland. Embracing that sentiment, I bowed down in the Constituent Assembly, the temple of democracy, and presented the fundamental law of the country to the people. That was my duty.

After the recent youth-led movement, what is your level of satisfaction with the current state of the republican system?

In the 17-18 years since the establishment of the republic, all political parties, from the Congress, UML, Maoist, and Madhesi parties, have contributed to institutionalizing the republic. The main contributions are from the Nepali Congress, UML, and Maoist. However, trust could not be built among the people. The governments formed by these parties during this period could not win the people's trust. Although democratic processes were moving forward with elections, there was a lack of purity in governance and administration and a failure to earn the people's trust. This led to the youth seeing weaknesses in timely change, good governance, and transparency, and they raised their voices against corruption. In today's digital world, the influence of social media is increasing, and the younger generation is becoming accustomed to it. Employment opportunities could not be created for this young generation, and they started migrating abroad. Problems arose in trade and business. Voices were raised for the assurance of a working environment in the country. The environment for peaceful family life was not created. For these various reasons, anger arose, especially among the younger generation. That anger led to the movement. This also shows that if the ruling powers do not understand the will of the people, such movements and upheavals will occur from time to time. The people seek their rights, and if the government does not understand, demands for change will arise.

The republic was achieved through the great struggle and sacrifice of the Nepali people; what should the government and political parties do now to further strengthen it?

Today, we are celebrating the 19th Republic Day, which is a day of utmost importance for the Nepali people. Democratic republic is the best system in the world. The President, Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary are important organs of democracy. The governance and administrative bodies under them must be efficient and effective; all these things must be implemented to create a civilized democratic system. In a democratic system, all these four institutions are respected institutions. They must operate in a tradition of mutual respect. In a republic, constitutional officeholders must remain within their respective boundaries. They must proceed according to law, legal provisions, and established traditions. Conscious Nepalis have given responsibility to the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Now, it must take other parties into confidence and institutionalize the republic and the democratic system, thereby organizing the governance system.

Finally, do you have anything to say to the countrymen?

As a senior citizen who has contributed to democracy for decades, I extend my best wishes. A government has now been formed through elections, and this government will also take steps to institutionalize the democratic republic. In the past, voices for change arose because the government was not operated according to the will of the people; in a multi-party system, the people's decision is paramount. If the parties in parliament cannot improve their working style and institutionalize democracy, another movement may occur. My only wish is that the Nepali people do not have to launch another movement for democracy. Remembering the contributions of martyrs Shukraraj Shastri, Gangalal Shrestha, Dharmabhakta Mathema, and Dashrath Chand, who contributed in 1997 BS, I pay my respects to them. I also offer condolences to those who sacrificed their lives during the movements of 2007, 2017, 2036, 2046, 2062/63 BS, and the recent youth-led movement.