Nepal’s politics never fails to surprise—or disappoint. In September 2025, the so-called Gen Z protests toppled a government, led to tragic deaths, and paved the way for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Balen Shah’s rise to power. Many celebrated it as a youth revolution against corruption. But as an aware Nepali watching closely, I have serious doubts. The more we learn from the inquiry reports, the murkier it gets.
The Official Narrative vs. Troubling Details
The protests began after the previous government banned several social media platforms. Young people took to the streets against corruption, unemployment, and misrule. That part was real—frustrations had been building for years.
But what started as protests quickly turned violent. On September 8, security forces used excessive force, killing dozens, including children as young as 12 and 14. These young students’ deaths shocked the nation and became a powerful rallying cry.
The next day (September 9), the situation escalated dramatically: government buildings, including parliament, were set on fire, petrol bombs were thrown, and chaos spread. The Karki Commission (led by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki) documented both the state’s brutality and the protesters’ arson and violence. Human rights organizations like HRW and Amnesty condemned the police firing but also noted killings and destruction by crowds.
Here’s where it gets uncomfortable: Some current members and supporters of the ruling RSP have come under scrutiny in reports (especially the NHRC) for roles in mobilization, incitement, and even incidents like jailbreaks during the unrest. RSP leaders have openly challenged these findings. Questions remain about pre-planned elements—petrol bombs don’t appear out of nowhere in the middle of “spontaneous” anger.
The Role of Young Students: Inspiration or Exploitation?
The presence of school-going children (ages 12–14) in such high-risk protests raises hard questions. How did minors end up on the frontlines facing bullets? Was this purely organic youth energy, or did online coordination and certain activists encourage participation without adequate safeguards?
The deaths of these young students were heartbreaking and rightly fueled outrage against the old regime. But they also highlight the recklessness of turning streets into battlegrounds. In a genuine movement for change, protecting the youngest participants should have been a priority—not a tool for emotional amplification.
Conspiracy or Political Opportunity?
I’m not saying the entire movement was fake. Decades of bad governance created real anger. However, the speed with which RSP benefited—winning a landslide in the 2026 elections—makes one wonder. Did some actors see an opportunity in the chaos and help fan the flames? Reports mentioning advanced preparations (petrol bombs, coordinated attacks) and involvement of certain political newcomers fuel these suspicions.
The lack of full, transparent implementation of the Karki Commission and NHRC recommendations only deepens distrust. Why the delays? Why selective accountability—targeting the old guard while shielding allies?Balen Shah vs Ravi Lamichhane: Can Nepal’s Two-Thirds Majority Government Survive?
What This Means for Nepal Today
We now have a “new” government that rode the wave of anti-corruption sentiment. Yet months later, ordinary issues persist: evictions without proper resettlement, economic struggles, and ongoing small-scale protests. Many who supported the change are already expressing frustration.
True reform requires more than changing faces at the top. It demands:
- Full public release of all inquiry reports
- Impartial investigations into all actors—security forces, protest organizers, and infiltrators
- Protection of children in any future movements
- Honest debate without labeling skeptics as “regressive”
As Nepalis, we deserve better than cycles of protest, violence, new governments, and repeated disappointment. Questioning the dominant narrative around the Gen Z movement isn’t denying the problems of the past—it’s demanding real accountability in the present.
What do you think? Was it a pure people’s movement, or something more calculated? Share your views in the comments.www.nepalnews.com