Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said BP Koirala, the first people-elected Prime Minister, was unjustly jailed by the then King to send a message against citizens aspiring for leadership roles.
The move of the then monarch was to give a message that citizens are not allowed to get elected to leadership roles.
In his address to the BP Koirala National Prize Handover Ceremony, 2080 BS organised by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation on the occasion of the 42nd death anniversary of BP Koirala, the Prime Minister said BP was put into confinement in Sundarijal for eight years for being elected the Prime Minister.
The event was held today at the Prime Minister's official residence, Baluwatar.
As he said, BP had to endure imprisonment on false charges and for no reason. He had to pay a price for his commitment to truth and justice. BP had accepted that he had to pay the price for speaking the truth and doing right.
Reflecting on BP's struggles, the Prime Minister said BP was the figure who advocated for the right to freedom of expression and opinion throughout his political life.
The Prime Minister recalled when BP Koirala in his interview with the BBC in 2035 BS highlighted the agenda for national unity. "Though stories about the life of BP seem interesting for the present generation, his experiences were full of struggles and hardships."
BP took his political and literary career to a height simultaneously through struggles, sacrifices, and hardship and it may sound like a tale for the new generation. He is an immortal personality due to his tremendous struggle, according to Oli.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister jointly conferred the prize on Kishor Kumar Adhikari and Homnath Dahal for year 2080 BS (towards political philosophy). The prize carries a purse of Rs 200,000.
Similarly, towards the literary genre, the Award was jointly presented to Prof Dr Yogendra Prasad Yadav and Prof Hari Prasad Sharma Parajuli.
The Ministry has been presenting this prize since 2078 BS.
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