Nepal, Sept. 1 -- When Nepal adopted its 2015 constitution, the document enshrined a fundamental principle: Citizens possess an inherent right to form associations. Article 17 was not merely legal text but a deliberate rejection of decades of centralised control over civic life. The constitution further mandated that the state must encourage civic participation to advance social justice and inclusion. Civil society organisations were envisioned as essential partners in building a more democratic, inclusive and accountable Nepal.

A decade on, the partnership between the state and civil society faces serious challenges. The government's 2025 draft bill on social organisations introduces regulatory mechanisms that could fundamentally alter ...