Subash Nemang: A Leader Who Shaped Nepal’s Constitution

Subash Nemang, who passed away on September 12, 2023, at the age of 70, was a prominent Nepalese politician who played a key role in drafting and promulgating the constitution of Nepal in 2015. He served as the chairman of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal twice, from 2008 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2015, and led the historic process of constitution-making with his legal expertise, political acumen, and diplomatic skills.

Nemang was born on March 11, 1953, in Suntalabari, Ilam District, in eastern Nepal. He entered politics as a student activist and joined the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) in 1971. He was jailed for seven months during the Panchayat era for his involvement in the pro-democracy movement. He completed his law degree from Tribhuvan University and became a lawyer in 1978. He was elected as the general secretary of the Nepal Bar Association in 1987. 

Nemang was elected to the National Assembly, the upper house of parliament, in 1991 and became the state minister for law in the minority CPN-UML government led by Man Mohan Adhikari in 1994. He was elected to the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, from Ilam-2 constituency in 1999 and became the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

After the restoration of democracy in 2006, following a decade-long armed conflict and a popular uprising, Nemang was elected as the Speaker of the reinstated House of Representatives in 2007. He was also elected as the chairman of the first Constituent Assembly of Nepal in 2008, which was tasked with drafting a new constitution for the country. However, the Constituent Assembly failed to deliver the constitution within its four-year term and was dissolved in 2012.

Nemang was re-elected as the chairman of the second Constituent Assembly of Nepal in 2013, which resumed the constitution-making process. He faced many challenges and controversies during his tenure, as various political parties and social groups had divergent views and demands on various issues such as federalism, secularism, inclusion, and representation. Nemang used his legal knowledge, political experience, and personal charm to forge consensus among the stakeholders and to overcome the hurdles. He also engaged with various civil society organizations, media outlets, and international partners to solicit their inputs and support for the constitution-making process.

On September 20, 2015, under Nemang’s leadership, the Constituent Assembly adopted and promulgated the constitution of Nepal as the supreme law of the land. The constitution established Nepal as a federal democratic republic with a parliamentary system of governance and a bicameral legislature. The constitution also guaranteed various fundamental rights and freedoms to the citizens and recognized the diversity and pluralism of Nepali society. 

Nemang was widely praised and respected for his role in delivering the constitution, which was seen as a historic achievement for Nepal’s peace and democracy. He was also re-elected to the House of Representatives from Ilam-2 constituency in 2017 and became the vice-chairman of the CPN-UML in 2018. He was nominated as a candidate for the presidential election in 2023 by his party, but lost to Ram Chandra Paudel of Nepali Congress. 

Nemang died of a heart attack at his residence in Baluwatar on September 12, 2023. He was given a state funeral by the government and his body was cremated at Pashupatinath Aryaghat on September 14, 2023. His death was mourned by people from all walks of life, who paid tribute to his contribution to Nepal’s constitution-making and democratic development.

Subash Nemang will be remembered as a leader who shaped Nepal’s constitution with his vision, dedication, and integrity. He will also be remembered as a humble and soft-spoken person who had a friendly rapport with everyone irrespective of their ideological inclination. He was an inspiration to many Nepalis who aspire to build a democratic and prosperous Nepal.