Information You Can Use: A Bi-monthly Service for the UN and Civil Society
Volume 2, Issue 1, January - February 2005
The development of civil society in Nepal
Source: One World
10 January 2005
by: Pradipna Raj Panta
Civil society is not a recent phenomenon in Nepal. It dates back to the Vedic period (around 2000 BC), when Maharshis (ascetics) propounded Dharma (duties and roles), and Shastras (moral and legal treatises) for societal functioning and to uphold public welfare.
In those times, several religious cults were established around temples and monasteries. Hindu temples, gurukuls (knowledge sharing institutions run by the community) Buddhist Bihars (monasteries) and Sangha (mass organization) were the places for rational debate and ideas.
Civil society suffered set backs during the Rana Regime. In
103 years of rule, the Ranas showed strong antipathy toward civil society
and tried their hardest to impede democratic ideas from entering the social
milieu. However, despite such impediments some rebellious Nepalese attempted
to initiate national dialogue and mobilized the masses against Rana rule.
Arya Samaj (Society of Noble people), Nepal Nagarik Adhikar Samiti ( Committee
for Citizen’s Rights), Prajatantra Sangha (Democratic Association), Paropkar
Sansthan (Charity Association), Jayatu Sanskritam, are some of the finest
example of civil society organisations which fluttered anti-Rana flags even
in those difficult times.
The Rana Regime ended in 1949 and in 1959 a parliamentary constitution was
introduced. However, the parliamentary system was immediately abrogated and
a non-party Panchayat System was introduced by King Mahendra in 1962 that
lasted for 30 years. The Panchayati era was no more conducive for civil society
functioning because non-governmental activities were seriously suppressed
and political parties were banned during that period.
Civil society gained momentum after the restoration of democracy. The constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 defines the chief objective of the state as “to promote condition for the welfare of the citizens on the basis of principles of open society, by establishing a just system in all aspect of national life, including social, economic and political life, while at the same time protecting the lives, property and liberty of the citizens.”
Since then Chief District Officers are authorized to register
civil society organisations, clubs and other NGOs. As of today, a total of
32,000 NGOs are registered in the country.
International agencies and bilateral donor organizations have also supported the development of civil society, placing materials and resources that are deficient at their disposal. As a result, civil society involvement can be perceived in almost all activities including the fight against violence, human rights abuses, social inequality, gender discrimination and many more critical issues relating to corruption, economic, cultural, social and political problems. However, civil society in Nepal remains very weak due to widespread mistrust, fragmented initiatives and lack of skills that have created confrontational attitudes not only between government and civil society, but also frequently between the private sector and civil society. So there is a need to have a strong coalition among the different protagonists and clarity on how that coalition can be nurtured in the days to come in Nepal.