If I recall correctly, the last time I cast my vote was back in 1999. The country was on fire, swords were pulled, and battle lines drawn between the government and the rebels. My vote was a mandate to crush the rebels. Things have changed a lot since then. One fine morning in April, our nation was declared secular, our national anthem scrapped, the king stripped of his powers by the reinstated House. People started talking about a Nobel Peace Prize for Girija and Co. Hold on a minute. Isn't he the person who ignored Maoist demands and later deployed the army to crush them? Didn't he get democracy off to a bad start here?

Our country seems mummified. What about my vote and my mandate? I didn't vote to allow my elected body to make such large changes. People may no longer support those they voted for back in 1999. This is completely against the basic norms of democracy, as if they're saying: "You Nepali people are a bunch of idiots, let us decide your future."

No thanks, I don't trust any of you. This country belongs to the Nepali people, and each individual can voice their opinion though a secret ballot. I am a citizen of this country-let me decide whether I want a king or not, and what works, Hinduism or secularism.

Nalin Gurung,
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