KATHMANDU, Sept 11: The Brihat Nagarik Andolan (BNA), a civil society alliance representing people from diverse walks of life, has raised serious concerns over the Nepal Army’s growing role in national affairs after it assumed command of the state.
In a strongly worded statement, the group warned that “over the bodies of the martyrs of the Gen-Z movement, a grave reactionary conspiracy is being staged—under military mediation to restore the monarchy and to abolish secularism, federalism and the proportional inclusive system.” It said such attempts are “completely unacceptable.”
The statement emphasized that the sacrifices of the Gen-Z movement were never intended to reverse republicanism and secularism or to expand what it described as the “unconstitutional activism of the military.”
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According to BNA, “the most urgent challenge before us is to defeat this ongoing counter-revolution.” The civil society body also expressed outrage that forces it accuses of infiltrating the Gen-Z movement are now sitting at the Army headquarters. “It is deeply and alarming and unacceptable who infiltrated the Gen Z movement and who from the second day onwards executed a long-prepared strategy of burning down the physical, economic and psychological fabric of state institutions and the private sector accountable to the people, are now sitting in the army headquarters negotiating under military hospitality,” the statement reads.
Calling the army’s role “profoundly regrettable,” the group demanded immediate correction. “If certain populist politicians are also collaborating with these same elements or encouraging the military to trample upon the heads of the people, then we will recognize them too as leaders of the counter-revolution. They must reflect on this immediately and clarify their position,” it said.
BNA has urged broad civic support for the Gen-Z youth, who it praised for standing “firmly against this counter-revolution.” It further warned, “To defeat this resurgence of counter-revolutionary forces, it now seems inevitable that the Gen-Z youth will once again have to take to the streets and under their leadership, we are all prepared to rise up alongside them.”
The statement, titled “Defeat the Counter-Revolution,” underscored that Nepal’s strongest shield against regression remains the Constitution of Nepal (2015). “The need of the hour is to remain steadfast in its defense and to chart the path of the Gen Z revolution’s success under the guardianship of the President as its constitutional protector,” it said.
The BNA has maintained that any new civic government must be rooted firmly in the Constitution, committed to resisting corruption and disorder and ensure “there will be no place for counter-revolutionaries within it.”
It also demanded that the Nepal Army “immediately cease all forms of interaction with counter-revolutionaries” and ensure all dialogue happens only under the President’s guardianship.
The BNA concluded by urging citizens to unite in making the Gen-Z revolution victorious, honoring the sacrifices of the martyrs, and defeating what it described as a dangerous counter-revolution.
