BY: KUSHAL POKHAREL
Kathmandu, Jan 30: Martyrs day is being observed today commemorating the sacrifices made by martyrs for promoting the rights and welfare of citizen and the sovereignty of nation.Voicing their opinion against the Oligarchic Rana, autocratic Panchayat and dictatorial monarchy, martyrs gave up their lives hoping for a better nation where ordinary citizens would get fundamental rights and live a life full of dignity.
Valiant martyrs including Sukra Raj Shastri, Dasharth Chand,Gangalal Shrestha and Dharmabhakta Mathema are paid tribute every year on this occasion. However, observation of martyrs day has become more of a ritual. Instead of internalizing their contribution and moving ahead, the celebration has turned into a showoff with some repeated speech program and gatherings where political leaders address the mass and express their wordy commitment that never gets translated into action.
It is really sad to mention that the cause for which the martyrs stood up remains unaccomplished. The transitional politics continue to elongate with political bickering. National Unity has also shaken of late with undue demands of ethnicity- based federalism and states. In the same way, national sovereignty and territorial integrity still needs a strong safeguard. In this light, the suffering of ordinary citizen has not reduced but aggravated. Smooth and effective functioning of state mechanisms have come to a halt.
Needless to say, those who are at the bottom of the social class hierarchy suffer the most. The problem of hand-to-mouth still exists across the rural populace. Even the middle income groups have been deprived of basic state facilities despite their ability to pay. Take an instance of electricity, drinking water situation in the capital city itself. Increasing power cuts and irregular supply of water has hard hit Kathmanduites. It is really distressing to note that even though the middle class can afford to pay for these utilities, state fails to provide them. Moreover, it’s the similar case with other supplies like cooking gas, petrol and kerosene.
Thus, it is a sheer disrespect to the martyrs contribution our state has demonstrated by not fulfilling what it promised to its citizen. Igniting false hopes among the Nepalese of a better and prosperous nation, particularly the major political leaders should take the responsibility for the country’s entire mess.
Equally significant is taking proper care of the martyrs family by providing adequate state compensation which has also been largely ignored. Making martyrs day celebration more meaningful by making collective efforts for nation building has become urgent.