Nepal's Youth Reflect on Protest: Promised Reforms Remain Elusive

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Mukesh Awasti, a 22-year-old young man with dreams of becoming a civil engineer, was ready to embark on a new journey to Australia in September. Instead, he found himself entangled in youth-led protests against corruption in Nepal—a choice that ultimately cost him his leg and dashed his hopes for the change that was supposed to follow.

Awasti was shot during the violent demonstrations that erupted in Kathmandu on September 8. Now recuperating at the National Trauma Center, he faces a difficult reality after the amputation of his leg. From his hospital bed, Awasti reflects on the sacrifices of himself and others, voicing his disappointment at the lack of significant outcomes.

“I regret participating in the protest,” he commented. “There hasn't been any meaningful progress. Corruption persists, and none of those who fired on protesters have been held accountable.”

These protests, driven mainly by Gen Z activists, resulted in over 76 fatalities and more than 2,300 injuries. The unrest catalyzed swift political change, leading to the appointment of Nepal’s first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, a retired Supreme Court judge, on September 12. She assured the public of upcoming parliamentary elections in March.

However, as months have passed, discontent has mounted among the very demonstrators who once brought the interim government to life.

To date, Nepal’s anti-corruption agency has initiated only one significant corruption case, notably excluding any senior political figures. Politicians under scrutiny are already gearing up for future elections, while no actions have been taken against those responsible for the deadly crackdown.

Recently, numerous injured protestors and families of victims have returned to the streets, staging protests outside the prime minister's office. Some protests have been met with police force.

“We are back on the streets because the government has let us down,” stated Suman Bohara, who now uses crutches due to a severe foot injury sustained during the protests. “Families have lost loved ones, many are injured, yet nothing has changed.”

Initially sparked by deep-rooted issues like widespread corruption, unemployment, dysfunctional governance, and a crackdown on social media, the protests escalated rapidly. Demonstrators clashed with security forces while attempting to breach parliament, leading to widespread violence across the nation as enraged crowds torched government buildings and forced top leaders to flee on military helicopters.

Order was eventually restored by the military, and negotiations saw the establishment of an interim government aimed at facilitating elections.

Prime Minister Karki has reaffirmed her commitment to holding elections on March 5, stating, “Our preparations are nearly finalized, and we have achieved significant improvements in security.”

Nevertheless, the protest movement remains fragmented. Some factions insist on immediate reforms, including the arrest of corrupt officials and a complete overhaul of the constitution, while others argue that elections are the only viable resolution.

Experts suggest that the lack of coherence among Gen Z protesters has impaired the movement's effectiveness.

“The disarray results from a lack of clear demands and uncertainty surrounding the nature of the interim government,” explained Abeeral Thapa, principal at Polygon College of Journalism in Kathmandu. He pointed out that the constitution does not clearly delineate provisions for an interim government, complicating matters further.

As skepticism about the feasibility of upcoming elections increases, analysts maintain that polls represent the best hope for Nepal, despite an ongoing decline in public confidence.