PM Karki’s address on Nepal’s Constitution Day

As fate would have it, Sushila Karki was nominated as caretaker prime minister just a week before she stood at Tundikhel to deliver her address to the annual Constitution Day parade on Friday.

This was a milestone not just because it came so soon after the two-day GenZ uprising that toppled the government, but also because it was the tenth anniversary of the 2015 Constitution.

That federal democratic, republican Constitution itself took seven years to draft, two elections to the Constituent Assembly and a ten-year Maoist-led conflict. 

Although it was a document that envisaged inclusion, equity and development for the Nepali people, the three political parties that have been in power for most of the last ten years failed to deliver, deepening public disillusionment. 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s impassioned speech spoke about the sacrifice of Nepal’s youth, and promised during her six-month tenure till elections to lay the foundations for a new Nepal.

The full speech:

Honourable President,

Honourable Vice President,

Honourable Chief Justice,

Honourable Speaker,

Honourable Chair of the National Assembly,

Distinguished Officials Present,

Heads and Representatives of Diplomatic Missions,

People's Representatives,

Civil Servants,

Journalists,

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Today, we are celebrating Constitution Day and National Day with great enthusiasm, marking the day the Constitution of Nepal, drafted by representatives elected by the Nepali people in the Constituent Assembly, was promulgated.

On this proud occasion, as our federal democratic republican Constitution completes a decade, I extend my best wishes to all Nepali people on Constitution Day 2025.

The current Constitution of Nepal, forged through repeated People's Movements, struggles, sacrifices, and dedication of the Nepali people, is a guiding document that reflects the destiny, future, and aspirations of Nepal and its people.

The day our Constitution, with its fundamental characteristics of federalism, democracy, republicanism, inclusiveness, and social justice, was promulgated, is a day of pride for all Nepalis.

Constitution Day is not merely a celebration, it is also a day to evaluate our federal democratic republic. We must seriously review what we have achieved and what we have failed to follow on the path guided by the Constitution since its implementation over the last decade, what our shortcomings have been, and what future direction is needed.

The Constitution provides a foundation for the distribution of powers among the federal, provincial, and local levels, ensures swift and quality services for the public as well as empower local leadership. However, issues like equal access to service delivery, transparency, zero tolerance for corruption, optimal utilisation of resources and technology, and development management that ensures the cost-effectiveness and outcome of public services remain common challenges for all three levels of government. 

To face these challenges, the roles of not just the government, but also the private sector, civil society, community and non-governmental organisations, the international community, and every citizen are indispensable.

The protests and movement led by GenZ youths on 8 and 9 September, are a reflection of the younger generation’s aspirations, the public’s rising awareness, and dissatisfaction with the corruption prevalent in the country.

We must acknowledge that this movement was also born out of the shortcomings in governance, prosperity, development, and the resulting dissatisfaction,  unfulfilled expectations, which are contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.

I also view this movement as a measure of the health of our democratic system, because democracy is a system that listens to, engages with, and solves the problems of the people.

The GenZ movement is also a result of our failure to live up to our commitments to democratic values including the federal republican system of governance, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, full press freedom, an independent and competent judiciary, rule of law, and good governance.

The dramatic development in information technology is also a factor. The issues raised by the young generation who are aware of citizen-friendly governance, open government, and virtual governance at the international level such as employment opportunities, quality of life, transparency in government actions, legal equality, the end of corruption, good governance, and development are, in reality, the common expectations and national agendas of all generations. This government is committed to embracing these agendas and working to meet public expectations.

I did not become Prime Minister out of greed for power, or any position. Unable to remain silent at a time of national crisis and as per the request of the youth who aspire for change, I became the Prime Minister of this interim government to manage the transition and to hand over responsibility to an elected government through a House of Representatives election within six months, as per the Constitution of Nepal.

On this Constitution Day, I offer heartfelt tributes to all martyrs who sacrificed their lives in past people’s movements and the recent GenZ movement, and I express my deep condolences to their bereaved families. I also wish a speedy recovery to all those injured in the GenZ movement and express my profound sorrow for the unimaginable and irreparable damage to public and private property, and industrial and commercial establishments during the movement.

The letters of the Constitution may be static, but its spirit is always alive. The needs and aspirations of citizens change with time. State machinery must function in accordance with the people’s aspirations and expectations. We must move forward on the path of reform self-reflecting on our shortcomings.

The emotions and expectations of the people are more multifaceted and dynamic than the letters of the Constitution. They cannot be ignored or rejected, only heard.

Listening to the voice of the people is the soul of democracy. For this, we have to undertake necessary institutional restructuring and legal amendments so that service delivery and development is more efficient, effective, and people-oriented.

The recent movement has guided us to make reforms in many areas. The younger generation wants to participate in the governance system. They want to see successful governance practices from developed countries in our nation. They want to see their ideas reflected at the policy level.

Therefore, on this occasion of Constitution Day, I want to assure you that this government is committed to continuously working with a firm resolve to address the feelings and expectations of youth, women, children, people with disabilities, Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, Madhesi, Tharu, marginalised communities, and all generations.

We face the challenge of rebuilding the structures damaged during the GenZ movement as well as helping the country recover from the losses to business establishments. We have to boost the morale of the private sector which is a key driver of development. We must hold elections within the stipulated time.

I call upon all youth, political parties, civil servants, the private sector, development partners, and the general public to participate in this great campaign of reconstruction and development.

On this occasion, I especially want to call upon the youth, as you are the true bearers of change. Your courage, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment will take Nepal to new heights.

I express my commitment to make the best use of the resources available to us in the short period of time to address the issues raised by the movement and fulfil the dreams of the martyrs, to carry out legal, institutional, and policy reforms, and to work in accordance with the expectations of the people. This government is committed to listening to your voices, embracing them, and putting them into practice.

The public has numerous complaints, anger, and dissatisfaction towards the existing style of governance. While it may be difficult to address all this dissatisfaction at once, the current government will make an honest effort to solve these problems to the best of its resources and capabilities.

On this occasion of Constitution Day, I express this government's full accountability to the citizens and believe that citizens will also be aware of their duties.

The current Constitution of Nepal, built on the foundation of the historic people's movement of 2006, has sent a message to the world that the Nepali people are capable of shaping their own destiny.

We expect actions that align with the spirit of the Constitution rather than changing it. For this, we need to hold the upcoming House of Representatives election on 5 March 2026 in a clean, fair, inexpensive, and fear-free environment, and create a sense of ownership among the youth and all classes, sectors, and communities.

An election is not merely a mechanical process. It is also an important link for transferring the hopes, aspirations, and trust of citizens for the next five years. I trust that all stakeholders, political parties, voters, government mechanisms, and the general public will provide open-hearted cooperation to fulfil this responsibility.

May Constitution Day inspire us to make new resolutions, may democracy be further strengthened, may our social justice be ensured, may our economic prosperity be shared, and may our nation become a common home for all citizens.

I reiterate the government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of lasting peace, good governance, development, and prosperity through governance reforms, and I extend my sincere thanks to all the martyrs who dedicated their lives for change, the GenZ generation, and the general public.

Finally, I extend my best wishes to all the Nepali people on Constitution Day 2025.

Thank you.