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The United States has expressed support for the Nepali people’s aspirations for a transparent government that adheres to the country’s Constitution.

Issuing a statement on Friday on the occasion of the Constitution Day of Nepal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the transparent government is essential for achieving a democratic solution as Nepal is preparing for the forthcoming elections.  

“The United States joins the people of Nepal in mourning the loss of life and extends our condolences to the families of those killed and injured in recent protests,” he said, adding, “ The people of Nepal deserve a hopeful future focused on advancing economic growth, strengthening regional security, and promoting prosperity for all.”

Secretary Rubio said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact will support the expansion of Nepal’s transportation and energy infrastructure, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth while strengthening the US-Nepal partnership and creating business opportunities for American companies.

“We extend our congratulations to the people of Nepal on this day and look forward to continuing close cooperation with Nepal in promoting stability in South Asia and contributing to a safer and more secure world,” according to the statement.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has emphasized the shared commitment and engagement of all sides to fully comply with the inclusive principle in the constitutional organs and bodies.

In his message on the occasion of Constitution Day and National Day, 2082 BS of the Federal Democratic Republic today, he highlighted the need of all-side engagement and commitment for the full implementation of the fundamental rights, consolidation of federal structures and judicious sharing of power, and resources and empowering province and local level.

"The Constitution is a historic achievement of the enduring struggle of the Nepali people. It has laid the foundation for our national aspirations, sovereign rights, and democratic values", the message reads.

Recent efforts and actions to address the 'Gen Z' movement within the framework of the Constitution and the formation of an interim government has reiterated the message of the Constitution's flexibility, solution-oriented nature, and inclusive character, the Vice President noted.

"The Constitution provides us with guarantees of equality, freedom and social justice. The main law of the land has laid the foundation for building a prosperous nation by binding a multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-religious and multicultural society in the thread of unity," he stated in the message.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that the present Constitution has integrated Nepali society having ethnic, lingual, religious, cultural and geographical diversities into the broader national unity by ending all forms of discriminations and oppressions resulting from centralized and unitary state systems.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of Constitution Day today, the President called on all to stay united to realize the aspirations of sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity through the federal democratic republic systems.

The Constitution has set a broader goal to create an egalitarian society based on social justice and socialism-oriented economy.

He emphasized the need to ensure equal access for all citizens to services and facilities provided by the State as guaranteed by the Constitution, and to provide social security guarantees to ordinary citizens.

The Constitution has provided equal protection to the unique geographical structure of the mountain, hills and Tarai, which is multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural. He expects that no one will inflict harm to the mutual harmony, fraternity and coexistence among the Nepalis keeping such diversities in the center.

Today, the Constitution Day (National Day) is being celebrated in commemoration of the epochal achievement of the promulgation of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic Nepal on 20 September 2015.

On this occasion, the President extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad. The Head of the Nation offered heartfelt tributes to all known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their invaluable lives during various movements for the establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic. Further, he expressed respect and reverence for the leaders of the political parties who led the movements for the establishment of the republic, lauding the contribution of the common citizens and political activists who participated in the democratic movements.

Nepal’s interim government head, Sushila Karki, who is mandated to hold elections within six months, is facing domestic and international pressure to adhere strictly to the Constitution of 2015. These concerns emerged after the formation of the Karki-led government, which bypassed certain constitutional provisions, followed by the controversial dissolution of Parliament.

Amid the ongoing crisis, Nepal marked Constitution Day on September 19 by organizing various programs across the country. There are growing fears that failure of the interim government to maintain law and order and successfully conduct elections could push the country into further chaos, threatening the already fragile constitutional framework. Some political groups that have long opposed the 2015 Constitution are now using the unrest among Generation Z protestors to call for its dismantling, claiming it fails to address their demands. Meanwhile, some parties are accused of advancing narrow partisan interests by misinterpreting the protestors’ mandate.

While many political forces are advocating for constitutional amendments, such changes are impossible in the absence of a functioning Parliament. Interim Prime Minister Karki, attending a Constitution Day event in Kathmandu alongside President Ram Chandra Poudel and other constitutional officials, reaffirmed her commitment to the existing constitution. She emphasized that the document was forged through the long sacrifices and struggles of the Nepali people and suggested that no major changes would be made.

The Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD), a loose coalition of civil society organizations, organized a Constitution Day demonstration on September 19, urging all stakeholders to safeguard the constitution. The alliance had earlier released a statement declaring the dissolution of Parliament as unconstitutional. President Poudel acknowledged that while the constitution was briefly breached during the appointment of the interim government, all other constitutional arrangements remain intact. Speaking to a group of 14 intellectuals, he stated: “As far as the Parliament is concerned, it will be recreated within six months through elections, and the constitution will remain intact.”

Major political parties, professional organizations, and Generation Z protestors are now united in calling for the protection of the constitution. The international community has also voiced support for constitutional adherence. In a message to Nepal on Constitution Day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States supports the aspirations of the Nepali people for a transparent and democratic government that upholds the constitution. “We extend our congratulations to the people of Nepal on this day and look forward to continuing close cooperation in promoting stability in South Asia and contributing to a safer, more secure world,” he said.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba also emphasized that the only way out of the current political impasse is through the constitutional framework. “Seeking solutions outside the constitution will only lead to greater instability,” Deuba warned.

Similarly, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli stated that the country is facing a direct attack on the constitution. “We Nepalis of all generations must unite—to face the attack on our sovereignty and protect our constitution. Sovereignty is our identity, and the constitution is the armor of our freedom,” Oli said.

CPN(Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called for a constitutional amendment to introduce a directly election president which he says is a major demand of Gen-Z, but he has not clarified how such amendment could take place in the absence of a functioning Parliament.