Panchayat Regime

Panchayat Regime

In 1960, King Mahendra used his emergency powers and took charge of the State once again claiming that the Congress government had fostered corruption, promoted party above national interest, failed to maintain law and order and ‘encouraged antinational elements’. Political parties were outlawed and all prominent political figures, including the Prime Minister were put behind bars. Civil liberties were curtailed and press freedom muzzled. King Mahendra, then, through an ‘exercise of the sovereign power and prerogatives inherent in us’ promulgated a new constitution on December, 1962 introducing a party-less Panchayat system. The direct and active leadership of the King was thus formalized. All executive, legislative and judicial power was vested in the king. Likewise, King Birendra had been systematically implemented Nepali as the only official language throughout the country. He reinforced Hinduism as the state religion; and declared a Hindu Kingdom. Constitution, law, and policies were all formulated based on Hinduism.No political freedom was allowed nor were other political parties. Press freedom and right to expression were strictly prohibited and encouraged hierarchical feudalistic society with centralization of power and resources.