Nepal's Nationalism= 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam'

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'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam'the whole world as the family of Vasudeva=God.

 

Nationalism

The Doctrine Of The State

"More than this, according to the Upanishads, Nepal's nationalism

follows the ideals of 'Bausudaiva Kutumvakam', i.e., the world is one

kith and kin. Thus, our nationalism fulfills the ideals of

internationalism, too."

By Jukti Jung Lamichhane

(Lamichhane is an advocate at Nepal's Supreme Court)

 

 

In 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, founder of the Chinese Republic and leader

of the Revolution, had said in his lecture: ?The principle of

nationalism is equivalent to the ?Doctrine of the State?.? Here, I

would like to refer to this statement in reference to the present

context of Nepalese politics, which has a pivotal role to play in

building nationalism.

 

Though Nepalese nationalism has been formed by the unity of the

different castes, creed, races, clans and classes, in essence all

internal differences and dissimilarities have been put together in

the sphere of Nationalism as the Doctrine of the State. From ancient

times to modern era Nepal, the Monarchy has been regarded as the head

of state and symbol of national unity. It has unified and harmonised

all corners of the state under one state machinery and unified the

nation through the protection of all national values and political

system with the monarchy himself as the guardian of the people.

 

In this context of Nepalese history, culture, social life and

politics, nationalism is not only a feeling of oneness but is or has

been our Doctrine of the State. While looking upon the doctrine, it

includes all the state activities and state machineries like the

constitution, laws of the land, political parties, parliament,

government, all constitutional organs, administrative organs,

judicial courts, citizens and, in the apex, the Monarch himself.

Thus, the state includes all the bits and corners of the country, all

living and non-living things, including the products of the land and

its actions.

 

While our nationalism covers all these aspects of national life and

events, nationalism does not remain only in the feelings of the

people as one nation, but it stands as a part of the state machinery

in running the state and preserving its sovereignty.

 

Nepalese nationalism has always respected the dignity and entity of

other nations, and has always advanced the principle of non

intervention and co-existence of states and nations as per the ideals

of the United Nations Charter. More than this, according to the

Upanishads, our nationalism follows the ideals of 'Bausudaiva

Kutumvakam', i.e., the world is one kith and kin. Thus, our

nationalism fulfills the ideals of internationalism, too.

 

So we can?t ignore the role of the doctrine of nationalism in running

the state and government as well as the politics of the country.

Without nationalism, no one can play his role in Nepalese politics.

We all Nepalese, whether holding big or small posts in the government

or elsewhere, must take the sublime slogan of nationalism to solve

the critical situation acute problems facing the country.

 

We Nepalese, regardless of our caste, creed, language, religion or

ethnicity, have one political system, one constitution, one land and

people. And above all, we have one king, who is the guardian as well

as protector of the constitution and helps preserve the law of the

land and the fundament law of the Nepalese people. So in the Nepalese

context, nationalism covers the whole of national life and the state

itself. We can?t separate our nationalism from the state. Therefore,

our nationalism is based on the ?Doctrine of the State.? We can?t

enter into the politics of the state?s affairs without the norms and

values of nationalism. The present complicated problems of the

country can be solved through the sincere faith and devotion to our

nationalism. All the political parties and responsible leaders must

think in terms of the necessity of nationalism and take into

consideration the noble theme of nationalism.

 

The country?s political forces have misunderstood each other due to

the lack of their feeling for nationalism, and they have created

chaos in the political field and in the exercise of the constitution.

They must, therefore, realise the importance of nationalism to

connect its norms and values to the political activities and state

affairs. This is the time to think and rethink about the value of

nationalism to solve all the problems facing the country. In

conclusion, Let?s come together under one system - constitutional

monarchy, multiparty democracy and nationalism, which is nothing but

the ?Doctrine of the State?. (Lamichhane is an advocate at the

Supreme Court)

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