Protests turned violent in Nepal as protestors poured into the streets, eventually leading to the burning down of the Parliament House. Long-standing dissatisfaction around years of bad governance and systemic corruption has stoked the fires of discontent. Tragically, this chaos has resulted in more than 50 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries in the first two days alone. As the nation grapples with this turmoil, young activists are mobilizing through social media, seeking to unify various student groups pushing for a brighter future.
The spark for these protests comes from the all-too-real situation that Nepal’s youth are walking into. Youth unemployment has reached a staggering 20 percent, with many youths surviving on a per capita income of only $1,400. Frustration quickly turns to anger when they see the contrast between their lives and the cushy lives enjoyed by nepo babies, their elected leaders’ well-connected children. Yujan Rajbhandari, 24, an activist with the Get Out the Vote campaign, describes how organizations came together on social media to rally their work. “The movement was not controlled by an institution or political parties; it was an open protest,” he states. He feels that making a positive contribution together begins with minority members of the faith community raising their voices against injustice.
The Voices of Protest
That’s where Yujan Rajbhandari comes in—his efforts to galvanize young people online have been essential. While he admits they have an uphill climb, he reiterates how critical their unified action will be. “We want all the institutions to be corruption-free … we have lost time, development and political stability,” he asserts. His determination to bring different student factions together reflects the sense of urgency that Nepal’s youth are under.
Saraswati Mahara, the mother of one of the young protesters shot during the unrest, expressed deep pride at her child’s courage. Even in such chilling realities, she’s unbowed and fierce. “We should fight against injustice. If we do not raise our voice, then who will?” she questions passionately. Her frustration reflects a broader mood among demonstrators. They have faith that just being advocates for change is enough — even when it comes with incredibly dangerous personal risk.
Govinda Raj Pokharel, a senior statesmen from the opposition Nepali Congress acknowledges the protesters’ anger as legitimate. “I accept that because of the failure of past governments, this chaos came,” he admits. Alongside this optimism, he warns us about the movement’s perils and caveats. It’s not just because I know they are talented people, educated people. He deplores the country’s precarious condition. Politically, there is immaturity,” he writes, pointing out how this intense enthusiasm might be devious.
Tragic Consequences
The protests have had devastating outcomes. Nineteen young demonstrators, between the ages of 12 and 24, were killed during the protests. They shot to disperse protestors, firing with live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas. The past five years of the toll has left many families extremely shattered and communities deeply grieving.
Saraswati Mahara’s son was one of the hundreds injured during this deadly confrontation between protesters and police. As she sees her son continuing to recover, she’s still fierce and determined to fight for justice. “I am proud of him for standing up for what he believes in,” she says. Her story is only one of dozens that show the personal sacrifices taken in this battle for justice.
The overall scale of unrest has garnered national attention. It calls attention not only to the specific demands of the protesters, but more broadly to the systemic discrimination prevalent in Nepalese society. The youth’s frustrations have been amplified by social media platforms that expose inequalities and systemic failures to a wider audience, igniting a movement that many hope will lead to lasting change.
A New Leadership Emerges
In the midst of this chaos, new leaders are emerging from within Nepal’s political landscape. Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman chief justice, has been mentioned as a leading contender to head the country. While serving on the judiciary, she was at the helm of a potent anti-corruption campaign. This effort struck a chord with voters who were tired of political corruption.
As Karki takes to the stage, her story growing up as the daughter of a farmer from Shankarpur helps fill out the portrait. Born in 1952, Sridhar studied at Banaras Hindu University in India. For years, she has gained the reputation for ironclad integrity and uncompromising devotion to the principles of justice. The public sentiment surrounding her potential leadership is echoed by Project Abhaya, which declared, “Our first woman Prime Minister Honorable Sushila Karki takes office — a victory built on courage, integrity, and the sacrifices of our martyrs.”
The other popular face on the rise is Balendra Shah, a former rapper who became mayor of Kathmandu. His relatability and expanded agenda for change appeals to a lot of young voters hungry for new leadership during these continued crises.
