Nepal Crisis
Nepal is facing a severe political and democratic crisis after violent protests led mostly by Gen Z demonstrators. The unrest, triggered by a deadly crackdown that killed 19 protesters, escalated into mobs torching Parliament, the Supreme Court, politicians’ residences, and media offices, while also releasing prisoners. Prime Minister K.P. Oli’s resignation exposed widespread frustration with decades of instability, corruption, and failed governance since the 2005 Jan Andolan II movement that ended monarchy.
Nepal’s youth, disillusioned by unemployment, mass migration, reliance on remittances, and failed political leadership, now back new forces like the Rashtriya Swatantra Party and independent leaders such as Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. However, some of these figures risk undermining democracy with extreme positions, such as advocating the dissolution of Parliament.
The crisis underscores the danger of violent nihilism replacing democratic reform, with comparisons drawn to Bangladesh’s recent backsliding. The article argues that stabilisation, peace, and meaningful constitutional reforms are urgently needed. A shift to a presidential system with direct accountability could help resolve chronic instability, but first, the Nepali Army must ensure order so that civilian democratic actors can reclaim space. Without this, Nepal risks collapsing its fragile democratic foundations.
Source the Hindu
