Home >> South Asia >> Nepal & Bhutan  Email  Print Army and it's Democratization; a misinterpreted issue in Nepal Arjun Bishta - 10/8/2007 A major issue which always disturbs this columnist is the new terminology being debated in Nepal, i.e. the "Democratization of the Nepalese Army". I think this issue has always been misinterpreted by Nepalese think tanks. How can a neutral, completely apolitical, transparent and sensitive instrument of the National power be seen with political ideology and blamed for not being democratic? The reality is; the army of a democratic nation should exercise and display democratic transformations and this is what the Nepalese Army is demonstrating now. So, Why to have unnecessary suspicions and pour blames over a true and strong pillar of the Nation; the Army.
Do the people mean that like other political parties, the Army should also start amassing political rallies by raising the flags/ banners and roam around the country by chanting loud slogans or, what? Amazing! How, the elites and modern Nepalese generation have still not been able to understand the reality and professionalism of their National Army.
Nepalese history has proven that Nepal and the Nepalese people have never been subjugated by any colonial powers is a significant achievement; which all the Nepalese must accept. Nepal's national Army has always remained the part and parcel of the people and has also shared the grievances and sorrows of the Nepalese Souls. So, I visualize that the existing Army in Nepal should no more be perceived with any preconceived ideas and mere suspicions and doubts over the role and activities of the Army, now, should be discarded, forever. Before pouring any nonsense blames over a National Army, the blamers should better recognize from their inner hearts; the role, traditions and security aspects of a most sensitive institution of any nation. A sound vision is required to understand the value, need and realties of the Armed forces in the world. It is experienced that after having cleared various complex hurdles, the Army in Nepal has come across a long way on the path of its professionalism and proved that democratic transformation is in practice in this organization.
Records show that the institution of the Army was initiated just after 350 AD in Nepal. Nepalese rulers had maintained their Military strength as per their individual interests. The armed forces used to be centrally located during the ancient times, whereas, in the middle age, they were deployed in vital locations like fortresses in strategically important places of the country. Nepal in the past was divided into more than fifty different principalities which meant that Military strength remained dispersed. Soldiers were maintained by the Kings, princes, and chiefs of army, MULMI, KWANTA, NAYAKS and UMARAOs.
Unification campaign initiated in 1740 AD was the turning point in the history of the Army. In the year 1744, the GORKHALI armed forces came to be known as the Nepalese Army. The gallantry, sincerity and simplicity of Army during first and Second world wars impressed even the enemy so much that the British East- India Company started recruiting Nepalese youths into their forces. Army in Nepal has always been a boon to Nepalese Mankind. So, it's selfless, dedicated and the true service to the people and the nation can't be ignored at all. One most important factor the people should realize that all the Armies in the world have a common constraint i.e. maintaining of the entire Security of their institution.
For this reason the organizations like Army can not fully expose sensitive issues to the public. Even, some issues are circulated only in need to know basis among their internal audiences. But, definitely, they do provide public information through their public Affair units; I think which Nepalese Army is also doing like other armies of the democratic nations in the world. It is a natural phenomenon that in every Nation, the role of the National Army always remains directly proportional to the National security Strategy and the responsibilities imparted to the Armed forces by the respective Governments.
Fact is that the Army is one of the element of national power which only obeys the orders and instructions of the legitimate Governments. So, the Army in Nepal has also been serving with the similar trends. People should now understand that the old traditional days in Nepal have gone and Army has also been transforming itself with the changing scenario and prevailing situations of the 21st centaury. It is a professional wisdom and a clear indication of democratic transformation that the Army in Nepal has always remained away from the politics, believes in professionalism, competence, inclusiveness, transparency, and discipline and has always remained committed to obey the orders from every Government, in Nepal.
Army has always remained accountable to the Nepalese People also. It is clearly noticeable that the Army always believes in Peace and stability and prosperity, that is why it sacrificed many lives in many stages of history both inside and outside the country. Nepal's Army has frequently been reiterating that it has committed itself to work under a democratic set-up with political supremacy and it would obey orders from anyone that go to the people and take the mandates like in any other democratic countries. Isn't it the sign of professionalism and Nepal Army's true commitment to the Democracy?
Repeatedly, the Army has also assured that a National professional Army has to function and work under certain political setup that holds state authority. I think Army has proven this fact by always abiding the instructions and orders of every legitimate government in Nepal. Misfortune! Rather it has been noticed that Army personnel who have served under previous political regimes are now being blamed by the new regimes. What nonsense?
I think it is totally a biased Political mentality and should not happen. Because there is a compulsion in Army to function under certain political setup doesn't mean when the political setup changes that the Army has to be blamed and penalized for working under a previous political setup. This must be realized by all. Other wise, how will security personnel discharge their duties and fulfill given responsibilities in time of National Crises?
It is apparent; the Army has realized that the understanding, trust and confidence have to be generated between civil societies and the Army institution. The Army also has clearly felt about the feeling and aspirations of the local communities, modern media, INGO and NGOS, the political parties, the diplomatic communities and the Human Rights Activists surrounding it. Seminars and trainings conducted by the Army on Media management, Civil Affairs and community relations are some of the burning examples of Army's intent of enhancing Civic-Military relations in Nepal and abroad.
Nepalese Army has also earned International Credibility because of its well-conducted job under the United Nation's Flag. So now it must be vigilant that it should not discredit and loose that credibility inside their country also. Army is also committed to respect the Human Rights of all Individuals. This may be the reason of amending the Army Act and establishing of Human Rights cells at various command levels. In fact the Army has come a long way in this very sensitive issue. Human right violators have always been punished in the Army, which proves that there is no impunity in this institution.
It is evident that the Nepal's Army also has learned the lessons from the past conflict, because from the day of ceasefire, Nepalese Army hasn't violated anywhere, there is no incident where it has abused Human Rights or violated Ceasefire. Also the Army has understood and fore-seen -that the future conflicts will not be fighting from the trenches, tanks and guns; rather will be fighting with the people, amongst the people, in the people and for the people. Thus the army has been developing trusts between the institution and civilian society at large and has been exercising to generate more and more confidence building measures. Establishment and routine functioning of the Directorate of Public Relations in Nepal Army is also a burning proof of army's democratic transformation.
Speech delivered by the Chief of the Army Staff General Rookmangad Katwal at the Army organized Seminar on the topic "Democratic Transition and Nepalese Army Reforms" further reveals that, how serious the Army is on the issues of the democratic transformation. Listed below are few of the extracts of his speech that seems worthy to be mentioned here.
Quote
1. "The Nepalese Army will never ever become a part of the problem rather it should be a part of a solution to the problem."
2. "Nepalese Army should be bedrock on which democratic institutions can stand, take a root, consolidate and further strengthen so that peace and stability could be established where individuals' rights and liberties would be respected and exercised and enjoyed"
3. "Nepalese Army should not forget the international struggle, struggle against the enemy of freedom and liberty, that is a menace that is trying to destroy the whole human civilization, that is what every nations will have to be prepared for and that is going to remain for the fore-see-able future.."
Unquote
Army's leadership also has frequently reiterated that the Army will never ever get involve in Politics, because, it's not their job, and
it's not their profession , so they have remained completely away from the politics. I think they are transparent in their thoughts in the
issue of Politics. Similarly, it is seen that the Nepal Army has not taken any sides either because , may be they have the clear understanding; that it is not a job of a National Professional Army or Army visualizes that the National Army should never ever be ideologically indoctrinated and politically motivated.
With these settings, one can clearly foresee that Nepalese Army has been encompassing all the true pillars of professionalism; Transparency, Accountability and Responsibility. In summary it is noticed that the Nepalese Army has been revealing true democratic transformations of their institution. So, now the lingering apprehensions and unfounded skepticism that still exists in general people about the Nepalese Army has to be broken forever, so that Nepal Army and other sectors can exist together and make this country a better place to live where stability and peace would prevail. Let's not devalue Nepal's National Army, rather advice, and assist her and raise its morale and enjoy Nepal Army's true and dedicated service to the people and the Nation.
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