Sudan Gurung, coordinator of the Hami Nepal organisation, has clarified that he attended a reception and greetings exchange programme at the President’s Office on Friday to warn traditional political figures not to lift their heads again on any pretext.

Gurung is at the centre of attention following the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 that pulled down the strong government of the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML. His organisation has claimed leadership of the movement, even though no leader clearly came forward to lead it and there are suspicions that the outcome had gone out of the youths’ control.

Gurung had received mixed reactions and even criticism after visiting the President's Office on Friday to attend a Constitution Day function there.

From President Ramchandra Paudel to Prime Minister Sushila Karki, political party leaders, heads of the constitutional bodies, security agencies, members of the diplomatic community and people from various walks of life were present at the reception. A team of Gen Z members led by Gurung was also seen there.

Social media was abuzz with comments that Gurung should not have been at Sheetal Niwas to be seen among the political leaders who are largely held responsible for the country’s present state and have expressed little remorse for the killings of youths and protesters.

"Everyone has been wondering why I went there to celebrate," said Gurung. "I didn't go there to celebrate. I don't even want to celebrate. I had initially said I wouldn't go."

However, Gurung stated that he went there after learning that old leaders would also be present and that they would walk with their heads held high.

"When they said all the leaders were coming, I went there thinking these people were walking holding their heads high. I didn’t even sit with a leader. I didn’t sit at the same level on a chair," Gurung said.

"I stood, I stayed drenched in the rain. They offered me tea, but I didn’t drink tea. They asked me if I would have water, but I said I won’t drink water, saying it would make me impure.”

Gurung claimed that he did not meet and talk to anyone despite Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa reaching out.

Gurung reportedly told Thapa that old leaders should no longer come into leadership positions.

He discussed with Thapa how to oust the old leaders from the parties. He mentioned meeting with Congress leader Thapa and clearly telling him, "The constitution is what has protected you, and this situation cannot continue like this."

“I told Gagan dai that old leaders are protected by the constitution. And you all were protected due to the constitution. If the constitution was discarded, the president would have gone and the country would be stateless,” said Gurung in his video message, recalling his conversation with Thapa.

Particularly after the Gen Z movement on August 8 and 9, Gurung has come under the spotlight as he led key negotiations with the Nepali Army and the government led by Karki.

On having denied the food and drink offered at the President’s reception, Gurung said: "I didn’t want to consume anything from the government formed with the blood of my brothers and sisters—I would feel impure, so I didn’t even drink water."

Gurung stated that during the national crisis following the "Gen Z Movement", he played a decisive role in preventing the country from becoming leaderless. According to him, if the constitution had been annulled, the presidential position would have become vacant, the country would have been leaderless, and the threat of foreign intervention would have increased.

"I was given 15 minutes to decide what to do about your future," he said. "If the constitution had been annulled, the President would also have had to leave, and the country would have become leaderless. There were rumours that the Indian army was ready to enter. Is that the kind of country we want?"

He emphasised that the constitution ensures security for everyone and that there was no alternative to protecting it.

Gurung urged the general public to stay alert against the rumours and propaganda spread by political parties. He requested people to trust only the official communications from Hami Nepal and remain united also.

He said that every person fighting for the country is "Gen Z" and a true Nepali, and stressed that the time has come for all generations of Nepalis to unite. He expressed his willingness to correct any shortcomings in his words or behaviour but said that everyone must come together in the mission to build the nation.