Question

Describe the sequence of events responsible for the establishment of democracy in Nepal.

Hint:

To remember Nepal's democratic journey, trace the progression of royal regimes: 1990 (Absolute $\rightarrow$ Constitutional Monarchy) $\rightarrow$ 2005 (Royal Coup by King Gyanendra) $\rightarrow$ 2006 (Jana Andolan II leads to parliamentary restoration) $\rightarrow$ 2008 (Abolition of Monarchy) $\rightarrow$ 2015 (New democratic constitution).

Answer 1

Step 1: Background of Constitutional Tension and Early Protests (Pre-1990 to 1990):
Historically, Nepal was a Hindu kingdom ruled by an absolute monarch. Although the King held supreme administrative control, there were periodic popular struggles for democratic reform. In 1990, a massive pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to accept a new constitution that established a constitutional monarchy with a multi-party parliamentary framework. However, this democratic setup faced severe functional limitations due to political instability, frequent changes of government, and the King retaining significant discretionary powers.

Step 2: The Maoist Uprising and the Triangular Conflict (1996--2002):
In 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) launched an armed rebellion to overthrow the monarchy and establish a people's republic. This initiated a violent, decade-long civil war characterized by a triangular conflict among three distinct political forces:
• The Royal Monarch and State Military: Attempting to protect traditional sovereign authority.
• The Maoist Insurgents: Controlling vast rural pockets through guerrilla warfare.
• The Democratic Parliamentary Parties: Caught in the middle, advocating for peaceful constitutional reforms.

Step 3: Royal Coup and Dissolution of Parliament (2002--2005):
Following the tragic royal massacre in 2001, King Gyanendra ascended the throne. He adopted a highly aggressive, anti-democratic stance. Citing the government's inability to resolve the Maoist insurgency, King Gyanendra dismissed the Prime Minister in October 2002. In February 2005, he executed a absolute royal coup, dissolving the Parliament, suspending fundamental civil liberties, and placing major political party leaders under house arrest to assume absolute executive authority.

Step 4: The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Historic April 2006 Movement:
The King's authoritarian moves united the divided democratic forces. The seven major parliamentary parties formed the historic Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and joined hands with the Maoist insurgents under a 12-point agreement signed in late 2005. In April 2006, this coalition launched a massive, non-violent movement for democracy (known as Jana Andolan II). Millions of citizens defied royal curfews, bringing the capital city of Kathmandu to a complete standstill through general strikes and daily protests.

Step 5: Restoration of Parliament and the Republic Transition (2006--2015):
Confronted by massive public resistance and international pressure, King Gyanendra capitulated on April 24, 2006. He restored the dissolved House of Representatives, and a coalition government took charge.
• Abolition of Monarchy (2008): The newly formed constituent assembly formally declared Nepal a federal secular democratic republic, ending the 240-year-old Shah dynasty.
• Promulgation of the Constitution (2015): After intensive negotiations over federal structure, executive design, and minority representation, Nepal successfully adopted a progressive federal democratic constitution in September 2015.