Amend with Care, Implement with Urgency

Eleven years after Nepal adopted its Constitution, the debate over its amendment is becoming more heated, which is natural given the criticism directed at it. A charter drafted over eight years by two Constituent Assemblies was intended to resolve long-standing disagreements over power, identity, and representation. However, many citizens continue to struggle to see its benefits in their everyday lives. The first consideration for political leaders is whether they have given the Constitution a fair opportunity to function.