The constitution is also a lifestyle of the public

The Constitution was promulgated today, five years ago, by the historic Constituent Assembly. So, it has been five years since the Constitution was implemented on Asoj 3, 2072. We have been marking this day as the day when the people wrote their own law of the land. We remember this day as one of our national celebrations. In this backdrop, I remember all the stakeholders who played a crucial role during the process of the enactment of the law of the land by the Constituent Assembly.

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 is not only a document of the constitutional changes, but it is also the foundation for transforming our state structure, governance system, and social and cultural systems. This constitution ensures the competitive multiparty system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, universal suffrage, periodic elections, press freedom and independent and competent judiciary, rule of law, and democratic norms as the basic structure of the document. Constitutionalism, equality and equity are the major spirits adopted by the constitution. Sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity are the expectations of the federal democratic republican system. 

The Constitution is not only a legal document to run the state affairs, but also a lifestyle of the public. With the effective implementation of the Constitution, the state organs should focus on their roles in fulfilling the people’s aspirations for development and prosperity. We all must pledge our commitment to live by the spirit of the Constitution.

The judiciary is sensitive to its responsibility and the role entrusted by the Constitution to ensure effective and timely delivery of justice to all. We have been receptive to the public concerns for reforms in the judiciary, and we have initiated several initiatives. I want to assure you that reform initiatives to better our courts are in full swing. On this special occasion, I want to express my commitment to ensuring an independent, impartial and competent judiciary, and the protection of the rule of law by establishing a trustworthy judicial system. 

The coronavirus pandemic has made our life difficult. All the state organs, including the judiciary, have been impacted by the pandemic. This has adversely affected the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the citizens and their access to justice. In these difficult times, we have the responsibility to implement the Constitution with hope, expectation and opportunity.

We need our state mechanisms to be active, confident, cooperative and collaborative to inject trust and hope in the people. I am confident that Constitution Day will provide us all the much-needed energy, confidence and inspiration. 

The writer is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal

 
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