My greetings to all my countrymen. My first thought goes to those who laid down their lives on both sides of barricade in recent upheavel in Nepal subsequent to the 1960 coup. I also remember those who have suffered and are suffering untold miseries and oppression in prison and outside. I remember with gratitude those men and officers of the army, detailed on guard duty - with a few exceptions, who indivdually tried to mitigate the rigours of detention with sympathy and service and help.
"Anti-national" is a term used in a political controversy in an extreme[ly] hostile spirit. It cannot definitely be a stateman's definition on their opponents. I am reminded of its use by the Rana also to include all those patriots who wanted to secure democratic rights for the people. One should not forget that the association of the Royal family in the popular struggle on 1950-51 had brought the family within the mischief of this term.
The question that is uppermost in my mind is whether the coup of 1960 has permanently and definitely and irreconcilably alienated the democratic force and the monarchy from each other. I hove and pray that inspite of everything, it is not so, and the breach is not final. My endeavour will be towards the reconciliation of these two elements in our national life. If they are not irreconciliable, statesmanship, as distinguished from political chicanery, personal aggrandisement and advancement of petty temporary gains, calls for a large hearted approach to problem of reconciliation. The democrats will see, I hope, that there are other dangers to democracy more serious than monarchy. I also hope that the kind will also see that there are dangers to monarchy more serious than democracy.
My immediate programme is to get a thorough check-up of my health and undergo a period of treatment in peace during which I will have time also for the study (of the) political situation of the country. You know the four years of imprisonment had been a very hectic period and much water must have flowed (down) the Bagmati when we had been sealed off in an army detetion camp.
[Page 260 from BP Koirala's "Jail Journal", fourth edition, compiled by Ganesh Raj Sharma and published by Jagadamba Press]
Things that I like and titillate me in the above statement:
1. Precise and concise four paragraphs and four issues. First is about thanks to who helped him while in detention. Second is about his explanation to why there was no foundation on which he was put into jail. Third is his vision. Fourth is his reiteration of the fact that he was unlawfully jailed - look at the last word - "army detention camp".
2. The quality English used to convery the message is lengedary. There are no unclear facts or statements. The message is very precise, calculated and tells that he had to say. (Look at para three for the definition of "anti-national" where he goes out and points his finger at the then Royalty in a very logical fashion.)
3. After four years of painful detention for a man of such vision and of such calibre, he is not remorseful, he is not angry. I forever think why he always said Monarchy was required.(At one point in his Journal, he has said, the day Nepali Congress does not believe in Monarchy, the party will have no soul, its existence will have no meaning. Why was he so much of a believer in Monarchy as a force to reckon with?)
4. I have read the statement several times and I think its utterly beautiful! I remember the first time I read the Gettysburg Address and if there is anything close to that address that any Nepali Stateman has given, this could be it.