Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Mukesh Awasti, a 22-year-old aspiring civil engineer, had plans to migrate to Australia in September, but life took an unexpected turn. Rather than a flight, he joined the youth-led protests in Nepal against corruption—a choice that cost him his leg and, he claims, shattered his hopes for meaningful change.
During the protests in Kathmandu on September 8, Awasti was shot, resulting in the amputation of his leg at the National Trauma Center, where he is now recuperating. From his hospital bed, he reflects on the sacrifices of himself and countless others, stating,
“I regret taking part in the protest.” He continues, “There has been no real achievement. Corruption persists, and those responsible for shooting at demonstrators have not faced justice.”
Largely fueled by Gen Z activists, the protests resulted in 76 deaths and over 2,300 injuries. The unrest prompted significant political shifts within days, notably the appointment of Nepal's first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, a retired Supreme Court judge, on September 12. She vowed to hold fresh parliamentary elections in March.
However, dissatisfaction swells among the very youth who helped elevate the interim government.
To date, Nepal's anti-graft body has only pursued one major corruption case, which excludes prominent political figures. Meanwhile, politicians implicated by protestors are gearing up for the impending elections, while no actions have been initiated against those responsible for the violent crackdown.
Recently, injured protesters and relatives of victims have resumed demonstrations outside the prime minister's office, with some actions being met with police resistance.
“We are back on the streets because the government failed us,” said Suman Bohara, who now relies on crutches after sustaining a foot injury during the protests. “Families have lost loved ones, many sustained injuries, yet no measures have been taken.”
The protests began as a response to rampant corruption, unemployment, governance issues, and restrictions on social media. Initial demonstrations turned violent as protesters clashed with armed forces, leading to widespread unrest throughout the nation, with mobs setting government facilities ablaze and forcing political leaders to escape via military helicopters.
The army eventually restored stability, and discussions resulted in the establishment of the interim government, primarily tasked with conducting elections.
Prime Minister Karki emphasized her dedication to holding elections on March 5, stating, “We are close to final preparations, and the security conditions have greatly improved.”
Yet, divides amongst protest factions linger. While some groups demand rapid action, including the arrest of corrupt officials and constitutional revisions, others argue that elections offer the best route forward.
Experts point out that the lack of a cohesive strategy among Gen Z demonstrators has undermined their efforts.
“The confusion arises from vague demands and the ambiguous nature of the interim government's establishment,” observed Abeeral Thapa, principal of Polygon College of Journalism in Kathmandu. He added that the absence of a clear legal framework for interim governance in Nepal only complicates matters further.
With mounting skepticism surrounding the feasibility of upcoming elections, analysts maintain that polls are still the most viable path forward, even as public trust continues to wane.
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