Former CJ Karki says now is not the time for constitutional amendments

Kathmandu, December 14 — Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has stated that now is not the time for constitutional amendments. She made this statement while addressing an event in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Karki clarified that she does not oppose constitutional amendments, but emphasized that it is not the right time, considering the constitution is only nine years old. She stated that this is a time for the constitution's implementation, not for amendment. She further argued that if the current constitution has not led to national development, no other constitution would be able to do so.

Although she acknowledged that there are language discrepancies in the current constitution, she stated that it covers all aspects from beginning to end. According to Karki, the constitution would work well if the ruling class has good intentions.

She said, “It’s not that the constitution shouldn’t be amended, it should. But in my opinion, it’s only nine years old. When other countries do not amend their constitutions for hundreds of years, the voices calling for amendments without fully utilizing the constitution shouldn’t be heard. This constitution cannot be called bad, and saying so is an insult to the people. It was made after discussions by the 600 representatives of the people, who included people from all sectors—politicians and other representatives. From a legal perspective, the language in the constitution may seem inconsistent, but the overall structure and intent are aligned.”

Karki also mentioned that the constitution is never fully complete in itself. She emphasized that the constitution does not hinder the ruling class from performing well.

Karki also pointed out that transferring Rashtriya Swatantra Party president Rabi Lamichhane, who was arrested in a cooperative scam, from one place to another overnight is a violation of human rights.