The bones of democracy

Aryal’s spiritual practice and readings of Vedic history guides him daily and is clearly the intellectual and philosophical base for his conscience and commitment, not just to shaping the languages of democracy, but to implementing them. He remains optimistic about the present situation in Nepalese politics.

The PM is doing a very good job, he and Prachandra sit together often, it’s a quiet miracle seeing them together, working through problems.

Critical to even the most temporary form of political stability in Nepal are the terms of governance covered under the Interim Constitution. Unsurprisingly, this too is receiving criticism under newly liberalised media laws. Why did Aryal’s committee not take the opportunity to reform anti-homosexual laws for instance?

The Interim Constitution is interim. We can’t change the structural boundaries of the current Nepalese laws; it’s a human rights issue that requires political consensus and peace.

But many basic reforms will be enforced henceforth nonetheless.

Yes, health is now a basic human right, as is the right to life and the fact that the court is now mightier than the military.

Constitutional safeguards have been also strengthened. Political consensus is vital in this period of transition Aryal believes. Consistent progress in election reforms and the multi-party system is urgent in advance of the mid 2007 democratic elections he feels. But clearly Aryal’s proudest achievement is in gender justice, with the institutionalisation of female representation in the allocation of one third of all parliamentary seats to women, while within all Nepalese political parties females must constitute 33 per cent of elected positions.

“I personally feel women will begin to flourish in this country henceforth”, Aryal muses.

Women should be the owners of their own bodies. Consent must be compulsory. It’s possible that Nepalese women’s legal rights are now better than their Indian sisters.

Aryal’s Interim Constitutional Committee’s other major breakthrough, he feels, is the implementation of special laws on untouchability to punish wrong doers. “A crime against untouchability is now a very serious crime against humanity”, he says proudly.

Indeed, Aryal believes the Nepalese judiciary has played a commendable role in social equality but economic reform has yet to come. Both major parties are committed to promoting industry and economic development but only time will tell if Maoists can become good business partners in free market commerce.

Still, revising the King’s monopolies on the state’s main utilities and services is underway. The King’s property is currently being placed in public trust and much of his personal property will be confiscated. The Interim government is searching for his bank balances abroad, Aryal notes somewhat gleefully.

Overall the situation here is moving in the right direction although ministers and the old machinery are slow, even these processes are being revitalised and peace and prosperity will eventually prevail.

All things remaining equal Aryal feels, the King is unlikely to survive but will the Nepalese want another royal to fill the gap?

“My country is beyond a king now.”