KATHMANDU, Dec 20: The 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML has outrightly rejected the Gen-Z rebellion of September 8 and 9, describing it as an episode of destruction and political change carried out in the name of a youth movement. The 11th General Convention declared the Gen-Z rebellion unacceptable by passing a proposal.
“The convention has taken serious note of the agreement reached on December 10 between Gen-Z representatives and the Government of Nepal. A government formed unconstitutionally and currently undergoing judicial scrutiny at the Supreme Court does not have the authority to enter into agreements on constitutional, political, and economic matters that have long-term implications for the country,” the proposal passed by the 11th General Convention states.
The UML has also stated that the Constitution of Nepal cannot be amended by anyone other than an elected government and that any misinterpretation of the constitution is unacceptable. “No amendment or revision to the Constitution can be made from anywhere other than bodies of elected representatives. The intent of this agreement—made while the House of Representatives was dissolved and excluding parties that led the constitution-making process—is to undermine the foundational pillars of the Constitution and render it ineffective,” the party said.
It further states that provisions granting impunity to those responsible for the destruction on September 9 under various pretexts, along with the expanded mandate of a so-called investigation commission, clearly indicate that the government is attempting to protect those involved in the destruction and institutionalize impunity.
The UML has declared the 10-point agreement between Gen-Z representatives and the government unacceptable. “By sidelining responsible political parties and signing an agreement that cannot be implemented, the government has deceived and misled genuine Gen-Z youths. The convention declares this agreement invalid,” the party said.
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The UML has also accused the current government of being increasingly embroiled in unconstitutional decisions, protection of illegal acts, and various corruption scandals. “Even after the Supreme Court overturned decisions such as the dissolution of the National Land Commission, the recall of ambassadors, and the removal of the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the government has shown no sense of moral responsibility,” the proposal states.
It adds that despite serious irregularities in the power purchase agreement with India being publicly exposed, the government has failed to take responsibility. “This convention opposes the government’s unconstitutional, morally questionable, and corrupt actions,” the UML said.
The party has objected to what it called the dual character and unethical conduct of ministers of the so-called caretaker government—mandated to conduct elections—who have formed political parties themselves and engaged in election preparations. The UML has also concluded that the incidents of September 8 and 9 dealt a severe blow to the economy and the country’s international image.
“The incidents of September 8 and 9 caused serious damage to an economy that had begun to recover. Business confidence declined as entrepreneurs became targets of anarchic elements. Foreign investment suffered a setback. Economic growth projected at around five percent has been revised down to around two percent,” the proposal states.
The UML has urged Gen-Z youths to engage in meaningful dialogue with political parties. “Keep yourselves away from all forms of violence and destruction. Identify those criminals who hijacked peaceful protests and set the country ablaze, and come forward for constructive dialogue with political parties,” the party said.
The UML has also demanded investigations into all corruption scandals currently under discussion and legal action against those found guilty. The proposal states that the party is ready to cooperate if constitutionally empowered state bodies take necessary decisions in this regard.
The UML concluded that peaceful Gen-Z demonstrations were infiltrated in a planned manner to incite violence. “Infiltration into peaceful protests organized by youths created a situation where unarmed youths were killed. This was not merely a security lapse,” the proposal states.
The party condemned the planned and systematic destruction carried out on September 9. “Arson and vandalism targeting the President’s Office, Singha Durbar, the Federal Parliament building, the Supreme Court, the Office of the Attorney General, police offices, Gautam Buddha International Airport, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, provincial assembly buildings, chief ministers’ offices, and various municipal buildings were not spontaneous acts,” the UML said.
The party further stated that looting large quantities of police weapons, ammunition, and logistics; breaking prisons to free more than 14,000 inmates; and burning innocent people alive inside their homes were outcomes of a premeditated conspiracy.
“The objective of these criminal acts was to simultaneously destroy the country’s democratic structure, cripple the backbone of the economy, create fear and terror in society, render citizens helpless, and gradually push the nation toward failure,” the proposal states.
The UML said it does not believe such acts could be carried out by youths who love the country and are confident that these were not actions of Gen-Z youths. It has demanded a deep, meticulous, and impartial investigation into these anti-national acts and strict legal action against both visible and hidden perpetrators.
