The 2006 Nepal revolution, also known as the Democracy Movement ( Jana Andolan II), was a political movement in Nepal opposed to the authoritarian, absolutist form of monarchy adopted by King Gyanendra of Nepal. The movement was the second protest against the monarchy, following the first revolution.General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions: Honour Nepali Sentiment; Continue support to Jana Andolan II
Reinstitution of Parliament
In a nationally televised address, King Gyanendra reinstated the old Nepal House of Representatives on April 24, 2006. The King called upon the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) to bear the responsibility of taking the nation on the path to national unity and prosperity while ensuring permanent peace and safeguarding multiparty democracy.
The reinstitution of Parliament was accepted by the SPA. It declared that Girija Prasad Koirala would lead the new government. The SPA stated that the new parliament will hold elections for a body that would write a new constitution.
The move was rejected by the Maoists. Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai stated that merely restoring the parliament was not going to resolve the problems and that the rebels planned to continue fighting against government forces. They still demanded the formation of a Constituent Assembly and abolition of the monarchy.
On April 28, however, the Maoist insurgents responded to demands by Girija Prasad Koirala and announced a unilateral three-month truce in the Nepalese Civil War. In addition to this, on May 1, Bhattarai announced that if "the elections [to a Constituent Assembly] are free and fair, one has to respect the result of the elections. Then of course we will abide by the verdict of the people." This was seen as a large step forward as it shows the first signs of Maoist acceptance of the democratic process.
On May 2, Koirala announced the new government cabinet including himself and three other ministers from the Nepali Congress: K.P. Sharma Oli from CPN (UML), Gopal Man Shrestha from Nepali Congress (Democratic) and Prabhu Narayan Chaudhari from the United Left Front.NepalNews 2 May 2006 This was followed on May 12 by the arrest of four ministers from the ousted royalist government and an investigation into alleged human rights violations by the army during the General Strike.
May 18 Act The most dramatic move of the post-Revolution government came on May 18, 2006, when the Parliament unanimously voted to strip the King of many of his powers. The bill included:
Putting 90,000 troops in the hands of the parliament Imposing a tax on the royal family and its assets Ending the Raj Parishad, a royal advisory council Eliminating royal references from army and government titles Declaring Nepal a secular country, not a Hindu kingdom Scrapping the national anthem until a new one is composed Eliminating the king's position as the Supreme Commander of the Army
The act overrides the 1990 Constitution, written up following the 1990 revolution and has been described as a Nepalese Magna Carta. According to Prime Minister Koirala, "This proclamation represents the feelings of all the people."
May 18 has already been named Loktantrik Day (Democracy Day) by some.General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions: GEFONT National Council welcomes HoR Proclamation; urges Nepal Government to declare Jeth 04 as the Loktantrik Day by legislature
Although the constitution was accepted, it was always intended to be temporary and on May 29, 2008, a new constitution was voted on by the Nepalese Parliament, which declared that the monarchy would be deposed and a new parliamentary republic would become the Nepalese political framework.Nepal votes to abolish monarchy BBC News, 28 May 2008
See also 1990 People's Movement 2020–2021 Nepalese protests 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests Nepalese Civil War Office of Nepal Trust
References
External links
Nepal democracy crisis legal news and resources , JURIST CNN – April 9 CNN – April 21 New York Times Navhind Times Scores of journalists detained – IFEX Explaining Maoist Strategy: It's All In The Script by Dr Thomas A. Marks