Panchayat (Nepal)

Panchayat (Nepali: पञ्चायत) is the political system of Nepal in effect from 1962 until 1990. It was based on the Panchayat system of self-governance historically prevalent in South Asia.

It was formulated by King Mahendra after overthrowing the democratically elected government and dissolving the parliament in 1960. The Panchayat system was first institutionalized by the 1962 Constitution of Nepal. The political system was a party-less "guided" democracy in which the people could elect their representatives, while real power remained in the hands of the monarch.^[1] Dissenters were called anti-national elements.^[2]

The Panchayat system pursued a biased policy of promoting one religion (Hinduism), language (Nepali) and values (Khas Bahun) that aroused resentment in Nepal's multicultural society.^[3] In 1963, Kathmandu Municipality's decision to give official recognition to Nepal Bhasa along with Nepali was revoked. In 1965, the language was banned from being broadcast over Radio Nepal, the only radio station in the country.^[4] Those who protested against the move were jailed for months.

The New Education System Plan of 1971 pursued a policy of stamping out Nepal's regional languages from the educational system. Vernacular subjects were removed from the curriculum, and students were forced to choose between the mother tongue and technical subjects, leading to Nepal's mother tongues being pushed into the background.^[5]

Back to the Village National Campaign, which was launched in 1967, was one of the major rural development efforts of the Panchayat system.

Panchayat was brought to an end following massive street demonstrations that came to be known as 1990 People's Movement.

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