The 76-Year-Old Rifle That Witnessed Nepal’s Democratic Revolution

A rifle that played a significant role in Nepal’s 2007 democratic revolution has been preserved by a family for 76 years.

The rifle, a ‘one-nal-five-fire-bhajar,’ was given to Surya Narayan Shrestha by Girija Prasad Koirala, then ‘Political Commissioner’ of the Nepali Congress, on Poush 25, 2007 BS, to support the armed struggle against the Rana regime.

The rifle was registered in the name of Surya Narayan Shrestha, a resident of Judhdhanagar (now Nayabazar), Dhankuta, and was accompanied by 25 rounds of ammunition.

The Rifle’s History

After the revolution succeeded on Falgun 7, 2007 BS, the rifle was not returned as per the agreement. Surya Narayan’s grandson, Manoj Narayan Shrestha, claims that his grandfather tried to retrieve the rifle throughout his life, even writing to the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) and requesting the return of the rifle or its value, which was 2,500 Indian rupees at the time.

The receipt for the rifle, which is still in the possession of Manoj Narayan’s family, serves as a witness to the history of the revolution and the contribution made by Surya Narayan.

A Family’s Legacy

During the 2051 mid-term elections, then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited the family of martyr Bhim Narayan Shrestha in Dhankuta. On that occasion, Surya Narayan showed him the old receipt and requested the return of the rifle. Manoj Narayan claims that Girija Prasad remained silent for a while after reading the receipt and did not respond to the request.

Manoj Narayan has been raising this issue with every Congress leader he meets, but no one has been able to provide any information about the rifle’s whereabouts.

Records show that the rifle was registered in Morang Goswara on Vaisakh 25, 2007 BS, and its license was renewed for two years.

Surya Narayan Shrestha passed away in Vaisakh 2066 BS, while Girija Prasad Koirala passed away on Chait 7, 2066 BS.