During a formal Republic Day celebration at Tundikhel today, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the nation, emphasizing that Nepal's republican system was not a gift but a hard-won achievement, secured through significant sacrifice and unwavering struggle by its people. He urged for unity, vigilance, and shared responsibility to strengthen and institutionalize the federal democratic republic.
"This is a special day for all of us," Prime Minister Oli stated. "On this day in 2008 (Jestha 15, 2065 BS), Nepal abolished the monarchy and embraced a democratic republic after decades of relentless effort and the sacrifices of countless brothers and sisters."
He stressed that the creation of a republican system was not a royal decree but a collective choice made by the people. “We dismantled the old order, where commands came from the crown, and established a new system driven by the will of the people,” Oli stated.
The Prime Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to all political leaders, civil servants, security forces, the judiciary, civil society, the media, and the general public for their roles in establishing and strengthening the republic. He honored the martyrs of the people's movement and paid tribute to those who were injured or disabled during the struggle.
Reflecting on the autocratic past, Oli remarked that today's younger generation may not recall the "dark nights" that preceded the dawn of the republic—an era marked by censorship, silenced telephones, and restricted media. He observed, "Today's youth, who freely share their opinions on social media, may have only heard stories about how even mobile phones were disabled during authoritarian rule." He emphasized that Nepal's current democratic framework, which allows citizens to elect over 36,000 representatives—from ward members to the president—through inclusive processes, starkly contrasts with the past, when village and district leaders were appointed by royal decree.
“In a republic, public institutions are held accountable, and citizens serve as judges,” Oli stated, emphasizing that transparency and media oversight are crucial tools in the fight against corruption. He cautioned that those longing for authoritarianism are currently trying to undermine today’s transparency by romanticizing the secrecy of the past. “They aim to depict the openness of democracy as corrupt while presenting the past’s corruption as pristine,” he warned.
The Republic Day celebration included a military parade, cultural performances, and attendance from high-ranking officials, such as President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, and members of the public. The national anthem filled the air as flower petals were released from a Nepal Army helicopter.
This year, Nepal celebrates its 18th Republic Day, commemorating the transition to a federal democratic republic in 2008, which ended 240 years of monarchy. Nationwide festivities included rallies, public gatherings, and remembrance events.
