National Janamorcha Advocates for Constitution Amendment, Cites Federalism Concerns

Kathmandu. The National Janamorcha has emphasized the need for constitutional amendment according to the country's needs and changing times.

Presenting a concept paper at an interaction program titled 'Republic and Nationality in the Context of Constitutional Amendment' held in Kathmandu on Saturday, Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC stated that the constitution should be dynamic, not rigid, and should be reviewed every ten years.

The Janamorcha has primarily demanded an amendment to remove flawed provisions, including federalism, from the constitution. Chairman KC expressed serious doubts about the person appointed as the coordinator of the 'Constitutional Amendment Debate Paper Drafting Task Force' formed by the government.

He mentioned that giving responsibility to a person who lacks high knowledge in the field of constitutional law and is involved in the 'King Come, Save the Country' campaign raises many questions. Stating that constitutional amendment is a complex and risky process, KC warned of the danger of losing the achievements of the people's movement during this process. He accused the current government of being a puppet of foreign powers and stressed that republican and patriotic forces must unite to keep the process of constitutional amendment free from foreign interference.

The National Janamorcha has demanded the abolition of federalism, stating that it has fragmented the country's unity and increased administrative costs. Citing the history that federalism is not a system of governance but only a form of state, and that Nepal has always been in a unitary form, KC said that all provincial structures should be abolished and a unitary system should be adopted based on democratic decentralization. He said, 'The preamble of the constitution cannot be unamendable; the preamble is amendable, but its direction must be progressive.' He argued that federalism is not a fundamental structure of the constitution and can be removed.

Chairman KC stated that flawed provisions related to citizenship should be abolished and Nepal should be protected from demographic encroachment. While stating that the current provision allowing only those who have acquired citizenship by descent to hold key state positions is appropriate, he mentioned that there will be pressure to bring those who have acquired citizenship by birth or naturalized citizens to key positions.

Similarly, the Janamorcha has advocated for the continuation of the current parliamentary system of electing the prime minister and the mixed electoral system, stating that the provision of a directly elected executive head will lead the country towards dictatorship and fascism.

Stating that the country is currently in a serious geopolitical situation and foreign interference is increasing due to the China-America competition, KC emphasized the need to amend the constitution by centering the issue of nationality. He said that the restoration of the monarchy would lead the country towards regression and that communalism in the name of religion would increase religious intolerance, and therefore, necessary provisions should be made in the constitution to prevent such conspiracies.

The Janamorcha's conclusion is that the constitution should be amended based on the principles of democracy, strengthening the achievements of the people's movement such as republicanism, inclusivity, and secularism.