Republic Day being observed today

KATHMANDU: The 17th Republic Day is being observed across the country today with various programs.

This day marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Federal Democratic Republican governance system, which commenced on May 28, 2008 (Jestha 15 2065 BS in the Nepali calendar) when the first Constituent Assembly, elected by the people, put an end to the monarchy.

On this occasion, the government has declared a public holiday and a special ceremony is being organized at Army Pavilion, Tundikhel in Kathmandu today.

The transition to a republic began after King Gyanendra took power into his own hands on February 1, 2005.

In response, a 12-point agreement was reached between seven agitating parties and the then armed CPN-Maoist, aiming for the establishment of total democracy.

In November 2005 (2062), the movement gained momentum as political power, previously divided into three factions, consolidated into two through the 12-point agreement.

The decisive movement, which started in March 2006, intensified. Thousands of people took to the streets.

Ultimately, King Gyanendra Shah was forced to restore the dissolved parliament, as demanded by the agitating parties.

The restored parliament curtailed the powers of the monarchy and suspended the institution of monarchy.

The meeting passed a resolution to integrate the Maoists into the peace process and hold Constituent Assembly elections.

Subsequently, the first Constituent Assembly election was held in 2008.

The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly on May 28, 2008 formally ended the 240-year-old monarchy.

To celebrate Republic Day 2081, the government has formed the ‘Republic Day Main Celebration Committee’.