Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Troubled transition: On the Nepal protests and after

Troubled transition: On the Nepal protests and after

Interim government in Nepal must resist illegitimate (अवैध, गैरकानूनी) demands

After violent protests that left 74 dead, Nepal’s elected government has fallen, with its Parliament dissolved and former jurist Sushila Karkileading an interim government until the 2026 elections. While the Gen Z protesters had legitimate grievances including poor governance, entrenched (सुदृढ़ करना, मजबूत करना) corruption and intolerance (असहिष्णुता) of critical views, seen in the ousted CPN-UML-led government’s banning of 23 social media websites — the transition itself was blatantly (खुले तौर पर, स्पष्ट रूप से) unconstitutional, violating Article 76 of Nepal’s 2015 Constitution which permits dissolution (विघटन, समाप्ति) only after failed Prime Minister appointments. Yet, considering the exigent (अत्यावश्यक, आपत्तिकालिन) circumstances, there is little purchase for judicial review of the steps taken last week. Notably, the President did not dissolve the upper house, the National Assembly. More troubling were the protesters’ egregious actions which included burning Parliament and the Supreme Court (destroying vital documents). Nepal is expected to suffer severe economic losses besides governance issues due to the destruction of property and documents. The targeting of democratic institutions suggests an assault (हमला, आक्रमण) on Nepal’s post-Constitutional order — institutions established after the painstaking (परिश्रमसाध्य, कठिन) constitution-writing process that followed the much-needed ending of a decade-long civil war in 2006, overcoming an anachronistic (कालदोषपूर्ण, असंगत) and discredited monarchy and which included marginalised sections beyond Kathmandu valley’s power structures — even if there was half-hearted or ineffective implementation of the Constitution’s spirit and letter.

The interim (अंतरिम, अस्थायी) government must bring the criminals to justice as any inaction will lead to a normalisation of violence threatening all institutions that were set up to fulfil the promises of deeper democratisation and Nepal’s transformation into a republic. Even if Gen Z protesters claim that impostors carried out the violence, their continued reliance on online forums, such as Discord, for decision-making reveals immaturity and an unrepresentative nature. The reliance on online forums, which feature anonymity, frivolity and impersonation, and the fact that there is no guarantee that these views are representative of the many marginalised groups suggest that giving into the demands from these unaccountable groups uncritically could be hazardous. The failures of mainstream leaders — the K.P. Sharma Oli-Sher Bahadur Deuba-Pushpa Kamal Dahal troika (A group of three people, countries, or things working together, typically in an administrative or governing capacity) and their coteries — cannot justify discrediting democracy or the polity itself, as some protesters have made it out to be, echoing anti-social and destructive pro-monarchic elements. One outcome is that the entrenched leadership of mainstream parties could be compelled (To force or oblige (someone) to do something) by party members to give way to fresh blood. Meanwhile, the interim government must protect Nepal’s institutions and constitutional achievements while building the stage for free and fair elections — this is the surest path to safeguarding the promise of a democratic, plural and republican “Naya Nepal”.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Illegitimate (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अवैध, गैरकानूनी
English Meaning - Not authorized by the law; not conforming to the law or rules.

2.Entrench (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - सुदृढ़ करना, मजबूत करना
English Meaning - To establish (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that it is difficult to change.

3.Intolerance (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - असहिष्णुता
English Meaning - Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's own.

4.Blatantly (Adverb)

Hindi Meaning - खुले तौर पर, स्पष्ट रूप से
English Meaning - In an open and unashamed manner.

5.Exigent (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अत्यावश्यक, आपत्तिकालिन
English Meaning - Pressing; demanding; requiring immediate action.

6.Dissolution (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - विघटन, समाप्ति
English Meaning - The formal closing down or dismissal of an assembly, partnership, or official body; the action of dissolving or being dissolved.

7.Assault (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - हमला, आक्रमण
English Meaning - A physical attack; a concerted attempt to achieve something difficult.

8.Painstake (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - परिश्रमसाध्य, कठिन
English Meaning - Done with great care and thoroughness.

9.Anachronistic (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - कालदोषपूर्ण, असंगत
English Meaning - Belonging to a period other than that being portrayed; chronologically misplaced.

10.Interim (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अंतरिम, अस्थायी
English Meaning - In the intervening period; temporary.

11.Compel (Verb)

English Meaning - To force or oblige (someone) to do something.

12.Troika (Noun)

English Meaning - A group of three people, countries, or things working together, typically in an administrative or governing capacity.