Book Review

Battles of the New Republic by Prashant Jha is a comprehensive analysis of Nepal’s political transition, from a monarchy to a federal democratic republic. The book is divided into four books/chapters, each covering a different phase of this transition. Jha’s background as a journalist, his interactions with top politicians, bureaucrats, diplomats, and activists, and on-the-ground reportage make it an insightful read for anyone looking to understand Nepal’s democratic transition and the current political reality. 

In book one, ‘Politics of Gradual Revolution,’ Jha begins with King Gyanendra’s press conference in June 2008 as he prepared to leave the royal palace, and the events leading up to it. Jha discusses the rise of the Maoists and provides biographies of the two main Maoist leaders: Baburam Bhattarai, the ideologue, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), the charismatic leader and military planner. He discusses the origins of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its primary objective of establishing a ‘Naulo Janabad’ or the ‘New People's Democracy.’ The chapter discusses prevailing economic inequality and social injustice,  explaining how the Maoists channelled the public discontent to launch the ‘People’s War’ in 1996. While Jha attempts to write objectively, his writing occasionally hints at a subtle sympathy for the Maoist cause.

In book two, ‘Politics of Partial Sovereignty,’ Jha discusses India’s role and influence in Nepal’s domestic affairs. The section covers the tensions between the Nepal Army and the Maoist-led government surrounding the dismissal of Army Chief Rukmangad Katawal. Jha claims that India perceived the army as a “silent partner” in the peace process and had guaranteed it that its chain of command would not be disrupted. However, Prachanda's decision to dismiss Katawal, President Ram Baran Yadav's refusal to support it, and Prachanda's subsequent resignation enabled India-backed Madhav Kumar Nepal to take office as the Prime Minister. While Katawal’s dismissal was the main focus of this chapter, Jha also covers other major episodes of India's shifting alliances, its active manoeuvring behind the scenes, and the use of diplomatic channels and political pressures for its strategic goals.

In book three, ‘Politics of Inclusive Nationalism,’ Jha provides a personal account of being a Madhesi. He recalls his experiences in school, being called derogatory terms. At the same time, Jha reflects on class dynamics and acknowledges his privileges: “My class allowed me to escape the handicaps that came with my identity, and access the best opportunities available.” He admits that for him, being a Madhesi was limited to a few taunts, but for others, it meant "no access to power, systemic discrimination, deprivation of services, and a constant burden of proving their Nepalese identity.”

Jha then introduces the Madhes movement. He begins by discussing how the first Madhes movement was triggered by Ramesh Mahato’s killing in 2007. While this section covers the movement with depth and nuance, Jha frequently shifts from a firsthand account to historical contexts and the broader socio-political developments, which makes it slightly difficult to follow. Perhaps, starting the chapter with King Mahendra’s nationalism and the policies of the time would have provided a better background here. Nevertheless, Jha’s explanation of institutionalized discrimination provides readers with a clear understanding of the deep-seated resentment that fueled the Madhes movement. Jha navigates from Upendra Yadav burning the Interim Constitution in 2007 to the more organized Second Madhes Movement in 2008. While the Madhes-based parties had significant leverage in the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, the internal disputes and opportunism eventually undermined the true potential of the movement. 

Book four, the final chapter, titled ‘Politics of Shanti-Sambidhan’, foreshadows the fragility of a newly established political order and the reality of managing a political transition. The section centres on two main developments: the integration of the former People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into the Nepal Army and the failure of the Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. He portrays the disillusionment and abandonment felt by the former combatants with the very change they had fought so hard to bring about. The deep-seated factionalism and a lack of consensus on key issues like federalism, the form of government, and semantics ultimately delayed the process. It was, as Jha puts it, the “death of a dream,” representing the crushed hopes of millions of Nepali citizens.

Overall, Battles of the New Republic meticulously documents the major developments that have shaped Nepal’s political transition. As a Madhesi author, Jha has done justice to the Madhesi cause and struggle, giving it the recognition it deserves. The depth and clarity with which the book is written, the variety of sources it draws from, and the political analysis it weaves together are all exceptional. While the chronology is occasionally hard to follow, it rightly mirrors the complex nature of a political transition. In the prologue, Jha writes, “This is a story of how managing political change is always more difficult than the act of bringing it about,” which accurately sums up Nepal’s transition to a federal democratic republic.