Name Tanka Acharya | Role Politician | |
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Preceded by Direct rule by King Mahendra Died April 23, 1992, Kathmandu, Nepal People also search for Birendra of Nepal, Princess Shruti of Nepal, Mirza Dilshad Beg | ||
Succeeded by Kunwar Inderjit Singh | ||
Tanka Prasad Acharya (Nepali: टंक प्रसाद आचार्य; 11 February 1912–23 April 1992) was the 19th Prime Minister of Nepal from 27 January 1956 to 26 July 1957 and the founding leader of Nepal Praja Parishad (Nepal People's Council). He was the son of Tika Prasad Acharya and Tika Devi Acharya.
Tanka Prasad Acharya was an anti-Rana, pro-democracy politician. Under the influence of freedom movement in India, five men—Acharya, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dashrath Chand, Sukra Raj Shastri, Gangalal Shrestha—founded the Nepal Praja Parishad in the late 1930s, with Acharya as chairman. Their motive was to overthrow the Rana regime and establish a democratic government in Nepal. Tyranny, debauchery, economic exploitation, and religious persecution had characterized Rana rule.
Acharya was the first person to bring the printing machine into Nepal. He brought it from Banaras to publish four leaflets advocating overthrow of the Rana empire. He along with four other activists were captured for opposition and sentenced to death by the Ranas in 1940; but Acharya was never executed as the then Nepali law (influenced by Hinduism) forbade the killing of Brahmins. The movement later led to the overthrow of the Rana oligarchy. Acharya was released from the captivity in 1951 when King Tribhuvan returned to power. He went on to become Prime Minister in 1956. During his premiership, the first 5-year plan was started, Nepal Rastra Bank was established, and the Supreme Court was also established. Acharya resigned on Ashadh 31, 2014 (17 October 1957).
Tanka Prasad Acharya died on 23 April 1992 due to kidney complications. In year 2000, Meena Acharya founded the Tanka Prasad Acharya Memorial Foundation.