Expressing grave concern over the current state of political affairs, former king Gyanendra Shah has called on people to shoulder their responsibility to safeguard the nation from efforts to break the unity between the Mountains, the Hills and the Tarai.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Shah said that social accord among people was on the wane, charging political forces for carrying out activities to weaken the national unity through misuse of the spirit of the words like revolutionary, pro-change, sacrifice. “This is not only ugly, but also intolerable.” “The land we were born in was earned by sacrifice, courage, sweats and bloods of our ancestors,” the former monarch said, adding, “it is our duty and responsibility to protect that land, make it prosperous and stronger.”  

In a veiled reference to the Maoists, the former monarch said ‘politics of negation and revenge’ aimed at making personal gains and vilifying history will never be praised. “The patriotism is linked with the soil and heart of the nation. The slogan of progressive politics will not acquire momentum if it is to vilify those values,” Shah said.

“The nation and the nationals alone are Nepal’s permanent power. So we have to protect language, religion, culture, history and their combined values and faith which are the foundation of that state.”

But all is not lost yet, Shah assured. “People’s faith have not shaken. The spirit of patriotism still reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of Nepali people now time has come once again for the Nepali people to reenergize themselves to save the permanent existence of the country,” he said, urging the people to rise up to save the country.