Nepal Republic Day

Nepal Republic Day

Nepal is located between the two powerhouse of the world, India and China. Republic Day in Nepal falls in the month of May or June each year depending upon the cycle of the moon. Republic day is that day when a country’s ruler is overthrown by the people/citizen of the nation. In context of Nepal,  according to the Nepali Calendar it is celebrated in Jestha 15 every year. This day is also known as Ganatantra Diwas. This is the day when the Shah dynasty of Nepal took down from the throne after mass protest of dictatorship by the king ruling Nepal.

Jestha 15 (May 28) is embossed in the history of Nepal as Nepal Republic Day, as it was one of the major step the citizens of Nepal took towards their freedom and created a nation ruled by its people by overthrowing the dictatorship monarchy. Republic Day is a public holiday in Nepal that commemorates the creation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal on May 28, 2008. The establishment of the republic put an end to civil strife that had lasted for years.

Modern Nepal was created in 1768, when Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the Kathmandu Valley and formed a unified country from a number of small independent states. In 1846, maharaja Jung Bahadur Rana founded the Rana dynasty that ruled the country until 1951. Prime Minister and other government positions were made hereditary and the monarch had no real power. Dissatisfaction with the Rana regime led to the 1951 revolution which ended the Rana oligarchy. Initially Nepal was a constitutional monarchy, but in 1960 King Mahendra suspended the constitution and became an absolute monarch. When his son Birendra ascended to the throne, he carried out some democratic reforms.

In 1991, the first elected government of Nepal in 32 years was formed. However, the new government's policy led to an economic crisis. Civil strife of the early 1990s eventually transformed into a full-scale civil war. The then King of Nepal was abusing his power of sovereignty and using it against the people of Nepal. This is when the Nepalese citizens raised their voice and united to protest against. They protested in mass and shook the Palace and brought down the king from his throne. As a result, Nepal was proclaimed a republic on May 28, 2008. This put an end to the 240-year-old monarchy.

Nepal Republic Day is the day when citizen got the sovereignty power within them to create a democratic government, created own Constitution and rule their own nation. Celebrating the Nepal Republic day, government calls off all the government services and schools/universities remains closed during this day. There are few programs organized targeting the political leaders and political activities across nation and all the Nepali around the globe celebrates the day with pride and freedom. 

The main Republic Day celebration is held in the national capital, Kathmandu, at the Sainik Manch in Tudikhel. On this day, ceremonious parades take place at the Tudikhel, which are performed as a tribute to Nepal; its unity in diversity and rich cultural heritage.