21 Mar : Thousands of mourners on Sunday paid their last respect to five-time former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who was cremated here with full State honours at the banks of Bagmati river as per Hindu rituals.
In an unusual religious practice, the 85-year-old leader’s only daughter Sujata Koirala, seen as his political heir, lit the funeral pyre.
Nepalese army band played the national anthem.
Earlier, the body of Koirala, a close friend of India, arrived in a procession to Aryaghat, Pashupatinath area after passing through Sundhara, Ratnapark, Bag Bazar, Dilli Bazar, Maitidevi, Old Baneshwor, Battisputali and Gaushala.
A high-level Indian delegation, including Lok Sabha Speaker Mira Kumar, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, attended the funeral.
Besides, many other Indian political leaders including Sitaram Yechuri from CPI-M were also present.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Premier Bijaya Gachchhadar, ministers, Maoist chief Prachanda, leaders of various political parties, members of Parliament, diplomats and intellectuals were also present at the funeral.
The gathering was so much that police resorted to baton charge at Aryaghat to disperse the crowd and control the situation.
Many people shaved their head to mourn the death of their leader.
Earlier, the body of Koirala, who died on Saturday following a prolonged illness, was placed at Dasharath Stadium for the general public to have a final glimpse of the leader.
Mourners carrying floral garlands and placards showing images of the former prime minister waited for hours in scorching heat to pay their tributes outside the stadium.
The Nepali Congress extended the time for the funeral which was scheduled for around 2 pm.
The funeral procession, attended by nearly half a million people, was three-four km long and was led by Koirala’s daughter Sujata, party’s acting chairman Shushil Koirala, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and parliamentary party leader Ramchandra Poudyal.
People sprinkled water from the roof of houses from both sides of the road while the funeral procession was moving towards Pashupatinath Temple area for cremation.
Party cadres, sympathisers and students were carrying party flags and banners shouting slogans line ‘Girija Babu is dearer than our life’, ‘Long live our beloved leader Girija’ and ‘Peace and Constitution are two wishes of Girija babu.’
The government had declared official holiday today.
The veteran leader, who was the President of the Nepali Congress which is a key constituent of the ruling CPN-UML-led coalition was considered close to the Indian leadership across the political spectrum.
He was suffering from lung infection, respiratory problem, diarrhoea and had a low hemoglobin level.
The former Premier had played a pivotal role in the peace process, Nepal’s transition to democracy and bringing Maoists to the mainstream politics three years ago.
Koirala was instrumental in the signing of the 12-point agreement between the then Maoist rebels and seven political parties in November 2005 in New Delhi, which was aimed at toppling monarchy and restoring democracy in the country.
After this, Maoists joined the mainstream politics in 2006, ending the decade-long armed conflict that left 16,000 people dead.
Dear editor,
Tha India Post.
According to the Hindu culture, everybody mourns for the death person. RAM killed Rawon in Sri-Lanka. Both are Hindus. After the death of Rawon RAM requested to Bivusan (his brother) to honour his dead body and RAM also himself tributed him. Nepalese people also tributed Girija’s death, thinking not as a creative leader. In fact, Nepali Congress leader -Girija Prasad Koirala, personally, was a good man but politically he was visionless, power-hunger. Actually, he is a traitor in the Nepalese nationality.
In 1991, Girija Prasad Koirala became the Prime Minister. After becoming the premier, Koirala Congressionized the nation’s administrative management and introduced several, plans and pilfered state coffers. Koirala until 1994, sold 12 organizations and industries contributed by China, taking millions as commission. He drained the nation’s economy through the Boeing, Damija and Lauda scams in the name of suppressing communist- the suppression impelled Maoist revolution. It is Koirala’s habit to support the King when he retains the post and jump in opposition against King after being removed from the post. Koirala who became Prime Minister every now and then through many conspiracies became PM once again after 2005 by treading on the Constitution and riding on Maoist shoulders. We believed he would not repeat the past mistakes while working.
No one can succeed by breaking the agreement. On 24, April, 2006, the people’s uprising came to an end after an agreement was reached between the monarchy, NC and UML and Maoist included. The agitators were pleading for monarchy as an alternative force in times of crisis. An agreement was reached to reinstate the House of Representatives, which was dissolved under NC recommendation although the monarchy did not posses the right to reinstate it. The monarchy reinstated the parliament and appointed Girija Prasad Koirala to the post of premiership. The oath of office ceremony of Prime Minister was given by the king himself in the royal palace premises. Gradually, the agreement reached with the king was broken and the royal institution attacked, which is a work of huge betrayal – A political agreement 24 April, 2006-a political betrayal. After reaching the state power Koirala declared secularism and republic to perish Nepal’s identity. Traitors never become positive.
Like the portrayed Lendhup Dorje to gobble up Sikkim, the agenda of the constituent assembly is the pretext of RAW by making the leaders of so-called big parties including Girija to stand on its behalf. The communists also have fallen into the Indian trap and treading on the path of treachery and treason against the country. With the magic wand these parties and the leaders, who had utterly failed when there was cooperation from every side, now have that one can believe they can shore up the country from these problems. Former Nepali Congress leader BP Koirala used to say: ‘The state of Nepal cannot remain without monarchy and even socialism can co-exist with monarchy in Nepal.’ Similarly, on the ethnic issue, BP Koirala used to say, ‘To incite and instigate Madhesi, Pahadi, Rai, Limbu and others in the name of ethnicity is an act of treachery against the country. Won’t it adopt this strategy?’ But Girija Prasad had left behind BP’s principle and it is going on the path of anti-nationalist to destroy the unity, identity and sovereignty of Nepal.
Girija P.Koirala is the first terrorist as per the International Law because any hijackers are considered to be the terrorist.’ Former minister Prakash Koirala (elder son of the founder of Nepali Congress BP Koirala) also says –Girija Babu created chaos in the country. There is no law and order and the presence of the government is nil. Where and when has he brought peace in Nepal? What kinds of relief package has he given to the people?’ (14th Jun-2010 Peoples Review) So, I request to all to understand the reality of the culprit leaders in the world.
Thank you.
Dirgha Raj Prasai
Former member of Parliament,Nepal
Email:dirgharajprasai@gmail.com