Protecting Democratic Republic Means Protecting the Future of the Nation and Its People: KP Oli

KP Sharma Oli has said that protecting the democratic republic is equivalent to protecting the future of the nation and its people.

Issuing a message on social media on the occasion of Republic Day, Oli stated that the establishment of the republic was the result of more than seven decades of struggle, sacrifice, and dedication by the Nepali people.

Recalling that the republic was declared 18 years ago through the elected Constituent Assembly, he said thousands of leaders and activists sacrificed their lives to secure the rights to speak, write, organize, and express political opinions freely.

Oli said that after the end of autocratic rule, a democratic system governed by law was established in the country. He stressed the need to protect the achievements gained through the sacrifices of the people. Paying tribute to the martyrs and senior leaders, he added that strengthening democratic institutions is the need of the hour.

He said the republic was not just a change in the system of governance, but also a deep transformation in the consciousness of Nepali society.

“The republic was not only about changing the system of governance; it was also a profound transformation in the consciousness of Nepali society. A society that had lived for centuries as ‘subjects’ was transformed into sovereign citizens through a constitution made by the people themselves. It naturally takes time for such transformed practices to mature, and we too have experienced that,” he said.

According to Oli, the expansion of state access to local levels, increased representation of women, Dalits, indigenous communities, Madhesis, and marginalized groups, along with freedom of expression, digital service access, road networks, and communication expansion are among the major achievements of the republic.

However, he admitted that the pace of change has not been as fast as expected and said that even public dissatisfaction can only be addressed through the republican system itself.

“We have not been able to move as fast as we wanted. Such pace depends on social consciousness. When change does not happen at the expected speed, dissatisfaction with the system may arise, but even those grievances can only be addressed constitutionally through the republican system,” he said.

Oli also warned against attempts to spread distrust toward democratic institutions by exploiting public frustration. He stated that protecting the Constitution, Parliament, judiciary, and free press is essential for safeguarding the republic.

He emphasized that if democratic institutions become weak, society and the future of the people will also become insecure. Therefore, he called on everyone to unite in protecting the institutions of the democratic republic.

“If these democratic institutions become weak, no society can remain strong, and people cannot achieve prosperity. Therefore, protecting these pillars of the democratic republic means protecting the future of all of us,” he said.