Social Studies Note for Grade X | Unit- 7 | Lesson- 4 Political Events from 2017 BS to 2046 BS

Political Events from 2017 BS to 2046 BS

After the incident of 1st Paush 2017 BS, King Mahendra formed a council of ministers under his chairmanship. On 22nd Paush 2017 BS, he declared the Panchayat system. The Panchayat Ministry was founded. Under this ministry, Panchayat Direction Department and Panchayat Development Department were established to strengthen the Panchayat System. The country was divided into 14 zones and 75 districts on 1st Baishakh 2018 BS.

Some Importantt Events

a. Janakpur Incident

King Mahendra visited Janaki Temple after finishing his trip to eastern part on 9th Magh, 2018 BS. When King Mahendra was proceeding to Rangabhumi from Janaki Temple, Durgananda Jha hurled a bomb at the vehicle in which King Mahendra was travelling. This incident is called Janakpur Incident. Durgananda Jha, Arbinda Kumar Thakur and Dalsingh Thapa were announced capital punishment for accusing them of the involvement in this incident on 25th Magh 2020 BS, Durgananda Jha was executed whereas Arbinda Kumar Thakur and Dalsingh Thapa were sentenced to life imprisonment.

b. Promulgation of New Constitution

To validate the party-less Panchayat system and ban on political parties, the Constitution of Nepal 2019 based on Panchayat system was promulgated by King Mahendra on 1st Paush 2019BS . In order to strengthen the panchayat system, this constitution was amended three times in 2023BS, 2032BS and 2037 BS.

c. Back to Village 'National Campaign'

The first amendment in the Constitution of Nepal 2019 was made in 2023 BS and a new programme called "Back to Village National Campaign") was implemented by King Mahendra on 1st Poush, 2024 BS to encourage students, civil servants and others who were in cities to return to their own villages. A ten point program was set to raise the living standard of the villagers in this campaign.

d. Jhapa Revolt

The Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist and Leninist) launched a revolt for the freedom of poor people and against feudalism in Jhapa in 2028BS. This incident is called Jhapa revolt. King Mahendra died in the same year (on 17th Magh, 2028 BS).

e. Sukhani Assassination

Ramnath Dahal, Krishna Kuinkel, Netra Prasad Ghimire and Biren Rajbansi who involved in Jhapa revolt were arrested on the charge of Dharma Prasad Upadhyaya's murder, the then member of National Panchayat (parliament of panchayat system) and shot dead by the then government at the place called Sukhani, llam on 21st Falgun, 2029 BS. This incident is called Sukhani Assassination.

f. Plane Hijack and Fire at Singha Durbar

The plane which flew from Biratnagar to Kathmandu was hijacked on 25th Jestha, 2030 BS and landed at Forbesgunj, Bihar. There was an amount of 30 lakhs Indian Currency in the plane which was nabbed by the hijackers and then the plane was released. It was the first incident of plane hijack in Nepal. This incident badly affected the rulers of Panchayat system. Moreover, a fire broke out in Singha Durbar on 25th Asadh 2030 BS and many important documents got destroyed. Because of this Kiltinidhi Bista was forced to resign from the post of the Prime Minister.

g. Timburbote Incident

The youths were rapidly being organized to launch the revolution against the party-less Panchayat system in order to end it and restore multiparty democracy. In 2031 BS the Nepali congress made a secret plan to capture Okhaldhunga. For this, they established their camp at cave of Timburbote but the secrecy was revealed and Panchayat government mobilized army force to suppress them. Nepal army attacked the Timburbote camp and brutally killed several youths. This incident is called Timburbote Incident.

h. Politics for Development

The Amendment of the Constitution of Nepal 2019 on 26 Mangsir 2032 BS, for the second time was done. A new slogan called "Politics for Development" was brought. 'Back to Village National Campaign' was made the constitutional organ by the amendment of the constitution.

i. National Reconciliation Policy of B.P. Koirala

B.P. Koirala returned to Nepal from exile in India with the new policy 'National Reconciliation Policy' on 16th Poush, 2033 BS. It was the policy of finding the middle ground with monarch and regressive force.

j. Assassination of Ratna Kumar Bantawa

Panchayat government was continuing the series of murder. On 27th Chaitra, 2035 BS, Ratna Kumar Bantawa, a potential communist leader was shot dead at Imang (near Deumai river) of llam. Similarly, Rishiraj Devkota (Ajaad), and Jay Govinda Shah were also killed by the Panchayat government.

k. Referendum

Referendum is a democratic way of taking public opinion in which every adult citizen of a country is asked a straight forward question or has to choose between two alternatives about any important national issue.

Cause of Referendum

On 22nd Chaitra 2035 BS (April 1979 AD), TU students organized a huge procession against the death sentence to former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and tried to deliver the letter of condemnation to the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu. But the police stopped them on the way and assaulted them. Many students were injured. After this incident, student organizations started a united movement against the Panchayat system. Initially their demands were related to education but the government did not pay attention to them. Later on, the movement was continued and political parties also joined them. Huge demonstrations were organized throughout the country. The Panchayat ruler tried to suppress it but agitation increased progressively. So, on 10th Jestha 2036 BS, King Birendra declared a referendum. In the referendum of 2036 BS, people were asked to choose one between two options. They were:

1. Reformed Panchayat System
2. Multiparty Democratic System

The poll for the referendum was held on 20th Baishakh 2037 BS. The result of the referendum gave a mandate to the King to continue the Panchayat system with some reforms. After that referendum, the election of National Panchayat (parliament of that time) was held in 2038 BS and Surya Bahadur Thapa became the Prime Minister.