Nepal on the Brink: Youth-Led Protests Force Prime Minister to Resign, Former Chief justice Poised to Take Reins
Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal is in a state of upheaval following days of massive, youth-led protests against corruption adn entrenched political leadership.Demonstrations culminated on Tuesday wiht protesters breaching Parliament and othre government buildings, triggering a violent crackdown that has resulted in at least 51 deaths, including 21 protesters. The unrest prompted the resignation of Prime Minister K.P.Sharma Oli, and now the country looks to former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as a potential interim leader.
The protests, largely organized by Nepal’s “Gen Z” generation, were initially fueled by the government’s attempt to regulate social media platforms. A recent directive demanded that companies like Meta and Alphabet register operations within nepal and appoint local representatives, ostensibly to facilitate the removal of “offensive material.” When these companies largely refused, citing the lack of a formal legal framework – the directive was issued by the executive branch, not passed by Parliament – the government threatened a ban.
This move, however, backfired spectacularly, igniting widespread outrage and galvanizing protesters who saw it as an attack on freedom of expression and a desperate attempt to stifle dissent.
“Everything that has happened is not because of the social ban,” one protester told Democracy Now!, speaking through a translator. “We need a young leader now. We are looking for change. Time is up for these old leaders. We don’t need them. We need the youth.”
A Nation in Confusion
The situation on the ground remains volatile. Kathmandu is currently under curfew, with the Nepal Army patrolling the streets. Journalist Pranaya Rana, reporting from the capital, described a nation in “a state of confusion,” with many state institutions either destroyed or nonfunctional.
“We really are counting on the new generation… to take us forward,” Rana stated. Negotiations are currently underway between Karki and President Ram Chandra Poudel, with an agreement expected to see karki appointed as interim prime minister and tasked with leading the country towards fresh elections within six months.
Sushila Karki: A Symbol of anti-Corruption
Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first and only female Chief Justice, is a controversial but potentially unifying figure. She retired in 2017 after facing an impeachment motion from the very political parties now ousted from power. While the impeachment motion was passed by Parliament, it was ultimately nullified by the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.
Throughout her career, Karki has cultivated a reputation as a staunch anti-corruption advocate and a proponent of generational change in leadership. This stance resonates deeply with the young protesters who spearheaded the recent demonstrations. Notably, she was one of the few senior leaders to publicly mourn the deaths of the protesters killed on September 8th.
Social Media as a Catalyst
The government’s attempt to control social media proved to be a critical misstep. While the issue of registration had been brewing for years, the recent ultimatum and subsequent threat of a ban served as a lightning rod for broader discontent. The move underscored the government’s perceived authoritarian tendencies and its disconnect from the concerns of the younger generation, who rely heavily on these platforms for data and organization.
looking Ahead
The coming days will be crucial for Nepal.the appointment of Sushila Karki as interim prime minister, if finalized, represents a potential turning point. However,the deep-seated political and economic challenges that fueled the protests remain. The country faces the daunting task of rebuilding trust in its institutions,addressing corruption,and paving the way for a more inclusive and representative government. The eyes of the world are now on Nepal, as its youth strive to
