With the Nepal Army continuing talks with representatives of the Gen Z movement and other stakeholders, keeping the President in the loop, calls have grown louder for the formation of a civilian government within constitutional boundaries.

Different professional organisations, civil society members, and people from various walks of life have warned the government not formed under the constitutional foundation will face questions of legitimacy. Issuing a joint statement, 65 professional organisations and activists have appealed for the formation of a government within the constitutional framework.

Through the statement they appealed to form a government and ensure the rule of law, while addressing the sentiments of the new generation.

“We earnestly appeal to form a government and ensure the rule of law within the existing constitutional framework that respects the federal democratic republican system established through the sacrificial struggle of the Nepali people, and also addresses the sentiments of the new generation,” the statement said.

They made the appeal amid fears that the country might deviate from hard-earned republicanism, secularism, and federalism, according to the chair of one of the organisations.

As President Ramchandra Paudel has not appeared in public and the national defence has been handling the talks, people from different walks of lives have expressed scepticism about the country’s future political course.

They are demanding that the talks should be transparent and also questioning why people other than Gen Z movement’s representatives were invited to the talks.

The Nepal Bar Association, the umbrella body of lawyers, has said it does not accept or endorse any solution or appointment sought from outside constitutional supremacy and strongly opposes it.

“The association earnestly appeals to all citizens, including Gen Z, to seek a way out of the current crisis within constitutional legitimacy,” reads its statement.

Talking to the Post, Kedar Koirala, general secretary of the Bar, said every political transition has been done constitutionally, and they want the same spirit to prevail now.

“We will plunge into a deep crisis if we lose the present constitution. There are multiple ways a nonpartisan government can be formed respecting the core constitutional values,” he told the Post.

The association has said that the constitution can undergo necessary improvements, amendments, and modifications to incorporate the major concerns of the Gen Z movement.

“Under no circumstances should we compromise on established constitutional achievements such as democracy, republic, proportional inclusiveness, and federalism,” the Bar said. “In this context, it is clear that the role of the President as the guardian of the nation according to the constitution is crucial. We expect his active and visible participation in this matter. Civilian governance must be immediately established.”

Koirala added that Sheetal Niwas—the President’s office–should lead the negotiations, not Bhadrakali, the army headquarters.

Amid questions about the President’s whereabouts, the head of state, on Thursday evening, issued a statement saying he is engaged in “deliberations and every possible effort” to find a swift and constitutional solution to address the demands of the protesters.

“I assure everyone that efforts are underway to resolve the issues as early as possible,” he said. “I urge all parties to exercise restraint and cooperate in maintaining law and order.”

Constitutional experts say Gen Z’s demands to hold corrupt leadership accountable and replace cross-party old guards can be addressed under the present constitution.

“Gen Z hasn’t demanded changes to republicanism, federalism and secularism, which are the core principles of the constitution,” said senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai. “We can sit and find a way out. The constitution gives room to address their demands. Losing the present constitution will push the country into darkness.”

Gen Z representatives have also said that they do not want to dismantle the current constitution. Holding a press conference in Kathmandu, Sudan Gurung, the chief of Hami Nepal, the group facilitating the Gen Z movement, said their immediate demand is the dissolution of Parliament, followed by the formation of a non-partisan government that includes their representatives. “The constitution will not be scrapped but it needs revision,” Gurung said. “There will be interference from others if it is dismantled.”