Indigenous Nationalities Commission proposes 25-point constitutional amendment for inclusivity

The Indigenous Nationalities Commission has released a 25-point recommendation to amend unclear constitutional provisions to ensure inclusive, just, and effective governance.

The commission highlighted the need to implement constitutional rights of indigenous nationalities more effectively by incorporating federalism, proportional inclusivity, republicanism, secularism, and cultural diversity in its recommendations for constitutional amendment.

During a press conference held in Pulchowk on Thursday, Commission Chair Ram Bahadur Thapamagar stated that the commission prepared its stance based on a request for suggestions on constitutional amendments from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, which has been submitted to the government.

Chair Thapamagar emphasized the necessity of clarifying and completing certain provisions that Nepal’s Constitution, 2072, either failed to include or left ambiguous. He mentioned that the ‘Gen Z movement’ has also highlighted the need for constitutional amendments. He expressed the view that the constitution is not an unchangeable document but a fundamental law that should be amended in line with time, circumstances, public aspirations, and socio-political changes.

The commission suggested that all languages written in the scripts of indigenous nationalities should be recognized as official languages for government work. It also recommended that the national anthem could be sung in indigenous languages designated by provincial governments and that the state should take responsibility for preserving the language and culture of each community.

Furthermore, the commission proposed granting constitutional recognition to autonomous regions as a level of government and ensuring representation of different genders and communities in high constitutional positions such as President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly. It suggested that these positions should be represented by individuals from the Khas Arya, indigenous nationalities, Madhesi, Dalit, or Muslim communities in succession.

Additionally, the commission called for ensuring representation of indigenous nationalities in the National Assembly, renaming the Indigenous Nationalities Commission as the ‘National Indigenous Nationalities Commission’, and clearly defining the commission’s roles, duties, and powers in the constitution.