INTERACTION WITH TULADHAR

Senior human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar has said peace process is in the right direction.

Senior human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar has said despite the draw backs of the political party leaders, Nepal’s peace process is moving to positive direction since the major parties signed a 12 point agreement with the Maoists in New Delhi nearly 3 years ago.

Speaking at an Interaction programme organised by Centre for Nepal Studies in Reading, UK, on 21st June, he said: Nepal’s transition to democracy is exemplary and well appreciated by the international communities.

Mr Tuladhar said that the abolition of 240 years old monarchy and establishment of federal democratic republic system in a peaceful manner in Nepal was a grand achievement.

This was applauded by the international community’s worldwide, though celebrations of such achievements in Nepal was not at the level as it was expected, he said, adding this was due to our political parties' slow move and gaps in working together.

Tuladhar said our party leader have developed unique attitude and they come to a decision only at 11:59 hrs not even at 11:00 hrs of popular saying in Nepal.


Shedding light on the role played by the human rights activists and civil society in Nepal’s democratic movement, he said we played unique role to bring down the dictatorial rule of Gyanendra which is appreciated internationally.

We facilitated Maoists and other parties in a negotiation table, helped them draft several joint commitment and agreements in writing, he said.


“However, I am sad to say that the signed agreements were neither followed nor implemented fully in several occasions, in order to keep pressure on political parties we, activists had to play mediators' role, he added.

Psychological aspect is also there in the present political deadlock, Tuladhar said, adding that before the completion of election results, the UML ministers resigned from the government, Nepali Congress accepted the defeat and the foreign ambassadors started to be in queue to congratulate Prachand when Maoists secured only 100 seats.

Anyone knows there is the need of 301 seats to get simple majority but Maoists was presented as the victor and other parties accepted the defeat, he said.

Maoists cannot think of their short of majority even today with only 220 seats in the 601 assembly because of that psychology, Tuladhar said. Because of this psychology they are not ready to share power with other parties.

Dwelling on the debates about the appointment of president, Tuladhar said Maoists had agreed in the name of Girija Prasad Koirala for the first president, but now they have changed their stand.

Despite the warning of Americans, Koirala made agreement with the Maoists in New Delhi to bring them to the political mainstream.

Maoists might have thought that if Koirala becomes president then there will be two power centres, he said. In view of Koirala’s role he deserved the first president post of Nepal, Tuladhar said.

Asked whether he was ready to be the president as proposed by Maoists, Tuladhar said that being in the field of human rights he has decided not to be in any government position but if the parties agree on the issue then he would be ready to serve in the interests of the people and nation.

Coordinator and Director of the Studies Dr Chandra Laksamba and Dr Govind Dahal shed light on army integration and census being taken in the UK.

Dr Krishna Prasad Adhikari facilitated the programme and summed up the speeches while Gopal Shivakoti gave a brief introduction of Mr Tuladhar.

A large number of Nepalese living in Reading, Farnborough, Southampton, London, Camberley and South East area participated in the interaction programme. Participants including Dr Ganga Ram Dahal, Dr Ganga Subedi, Krishna Neupane Hari Timalsina and Bed Limbu, inquired about political and human rights situation, parties’ role in drafting the new constitution and federalism in Nepal.