Misuse of authority

The Himalayan Times

17 February 2023

The Dahal-led coalition government’s recent decision to observe People’s War Day as a public holiday after 28 years drew wide criticism from nook and corner and even brought the conflict survivors out in the streets. Constitutional experts and civil society members criticized PM Dahal for misusing his authority by declaring national holiday for the almost forgotten so-called people’s war that cost the lives of 17,000 innocent people in the name of liberating common people of their hardships, bad governance, corruption and social discrimination. It was learnt that his three deputies namely, Bishnu Paudel, Naryan Kaji Shrestha and Rajendra Lingden, were not present, while making this controversial decision at the cabinet meeting, and despite objecting his verbal proposal by the other members of his cabinet. The Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) termed the government’s controversial decision as against the fundamental value of democracy and non-violence. However, no official objectionable statements came from the major mainstream political parties.Hiding mental health problem?

Even when Dahal himself twice and Baburam Bhattarai once led the government, no such public holiday was announced in the name of People’s War. Also, he had merged his party with other parties that rejected the people’s war and embraced the parliamentary system. He even had recently mentioned that there was a plan to review existing number of public holidays citing too many public holidays affected service delivery. Was it because Dahal was under immense pressure after the Maoist-led Bagmati Province and Karnali Province declared People’s War Day as a public holiday? Was it because he okayed one of the coalition partners, the RPP’s demand to reinstate a national holiday to celebrate Prithvi Jayanti? Was it because he has been heavily criticised by his party members for being in a coalition with royalist, anti-secular and anti-federal forces that are against his party’s political manifesto and principles? Only Dahal himself would know why he had to abruptly decide to make this controversial decision.What are you waiting for?

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

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