Dashain is not only important from the religious, social and cultural point of View. It has the political salience as well. The Dashain Myth of the victory of truth over evils itself has a political salience. The feasting and festive of Dashain has also brought important changes in the political scenario of the country in recent years. After King Gyanendra was enthroned, the Palace coteries could not immediately dare to declare the only son of the King as the Crown Prince whose image was of a criminal among the public. They chose the festive of Dashain. The next year in October four, again Dashain days were chosen to sack the incumbent Deuba government. The situation would have turned otherwise, if only the political parties didn’t meet at the eve of Dashain and recommended the King to postpone the election at other times. Dashain in following two years could not bring such changes. However, despite speculations that Palace may enforce the new constitution last year, it again chose Dashain Festive to enact some amendments on Media law. This law can be termed as the blackest of the black laws that was imposed by General Ayub Khan in Pakistan in 1963.

This season also, the Carnival is at the courtyards of every Nepalese. It is the biggest festival of the Hindus, which comprises more than 80 per cent of the country’s population. This Dashain shall be the biggest celebration in the last ten years. As the Maoists are observing the ceasefire since last six months and the peace process is going on, everyone will be observing the festival peacefully and happily. Many of those police and army personnel or the Maoist cadres, who could not go home in those years, will reconcile with their families. Those who fled homeland owing to the ten years long insurgency are also back. Thus, this Dashain is also a grand reconciliation for all the Nepalese. With peaceful and prosperous Nepal at the prospect, this Dashain will be observed with great pomp and grandeur.

Given scenario, this Dashain will also be of political salience. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been reiterating that the current political stalemate will be given a way out. Hence, preparations for the summit talks, expected on 12th of Asoj, are underway. As the government has been pointing out the immediate need for Maoist’s disarmament and the Maoists insisting on package deal on political agenda, the peace process seemed to have fallen into turmoil in the last month. Maoists’ high rhetoric against the government activities and the government reluctance to address the Maoists’ reasonable demands pushed the peace process into a deadlock. The arms rumor was the major cause that seriously showed that neither of the negotiating parties have faith upon each other. Besides, the Maoists’ activities of forceful donation, forming trade unions and pressurizing the management on various industrial institutions made people feel if either party was seriously willing to resolve the conflict. Many people had already begun to raise question over the Maoists’ or governments’ intention to sideline one another.

However, at the eve of Dashain, the scenario has changed. There are good reasons to be hopeful about this peace process. Political consultations between and among parties in the last week have triggered the hope once again. And all the speculations and doubts will be addressed by the forthcoming summit talks. Then only Dashain will be victorious (Vijaya) for all the Nepalese. This Dashain, people will wish for forever end to the ongoing conflict and a peaceful and prosperous Nepal. And to materialize people’s wishes, the political leaders should behave with commitment.