KATHMANDU, April 24: The nation marks the 19th Loktantra Diwas (Democracy Day) by organizing various events and paying tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in democratic and pro-democracy movements today.
This day honors April 24, 2006 (Baisakh 11, 2063 BS), when then-King Gyanendra Shah reinstated the dissolved parliament and stepped down as the executive head of the country, signaling the defeat of absolute monarchy.
In his declaration that day, the former king acknowledged, “The Nepali people are the source of state power, and Nepal’s sovereignty and state authority rest with the people. Responding to the people’s sentiments expressed through the ongoing movement, we have reinstated the House of Representatives.”
On the eve of 14th Loktantra Diwas, PM Oli reignited “dirty gam...
The popular movement, led by an alliance of seven political parties and the then-rebel Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), compelled the king to restore the House on April 28, 2006 (Baisakh 15, 2063 BS).
The democratic uprising cleared the path for Nepal to embrace federalism and republicanism. Following the restoration of democracy, the country held two Constituent Assembly elections. The second assembly promulgated the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal on September 20, 2015 (Ashoj 3, 2072 BS), officially transitioning Nepal into a federal republic governance system. Since then, the country has conducted two rounds of elections at the federal, provincial, and local levels and now actively practices federalism.
Federalism has allowed the government to deliver public services efficiently to people’s doorsteps and provide timely relief during disasters. Coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments has produced effective and positive outcomes.
On the occasion of Loktantra Diwas, leaders from political parties advocating for change and peace extended best wishes and called for unity among all forces to drive national prosperity. They emphasized that democracy remains the best form of governance and urged all political actors to channel their efforts toward development and progress.
Nepal began observing Loktantra Diwas on Baisakh 11 (April 24) every year starting in 2008 (2065 BS) to commemorate the end of the monarchy’s autocratic and direct rule following the 2006 (2062/63 BS) people’s movement.
