Pokhara, 9 September | The brutal crackdown on the Gen-Z youth movement by the state has made it clear that the K.P. Sharma Oli-led government has lost its legitimacy. The intentions of Prime Minister Oli and his coalition partners have been exposed to the entire society through their continuous devaluation of the new generation’s feelings. Oli’s resignation should come without a moment’s delay, as he no longer has the right to remain in power. This incident not only shows the expansion of Oli’s arrogance but also the end of the political relevance of leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who have wasted crucial post-2063 years with their governmental inaction and ineptitude. The multi-party meeting called for this evening is pointless, as it is only a result of Oli’s arrogance after suffering such immense damage.
Onlinekhabar consistently reported on the brutal bloodshed inflicted by the state on the peaceful youth rebellion. The Gen-Z generation, who are active on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Discord, and enjoy games like PUBG and Free Fire, led the protest. Their demands were not unusual; they were simply expressing the new generation’s frustration in a different language about the government’s failure to deliver good governance and its protection of corruption. The government’s decision to ban social media only intensified that anger. The barbaric behavior shown by the state towards the youth who came to the streets with these demands has left the hands of rulers Oli and his partners stained with blood. This act is unforgivable in history, and the glorious tales of their past are now drenched in the blood of this bloody Monday.
The validity of the mandate received in the 2079 elections is also being questioned, with some members of Parliament already beginning to resign and ministers having left their posts. This has created a sense of directionlessness in the country. It is felt that a powerful leadership must emerge from this state of confusion. There must be an effort by leaders to trust in collective wisdom, always prioritize citizens, and bring the youth—who make up more than 42% of the population—to the center of leadership.
The expectation now is for the formation of a powerful civil government. This spontaneous movement of the citizens must find a quick resolution. For this, enlightened citizens of the nation who have earned a long reputation and made significant contributions in their respective fields should come forward to lead an interim government. That government should then open the door for a fresh mandate through elections.
First, Prime Minister Oli must resign unconditionally. His resignation will not open the door for Deuba or Prachanda, but for a new interim leadership that will include representatives of the Gen-Z generation. The youth of various parties, including the Nepali Congress and UML, must have the courage to lead this wave of anger. If they falter in this opportunity for change, other leaders like Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah could also be an alternative. Although the streets and social media are calling on Balen to lead the movement, he has remained silent so far. While he may lack organizational strength and skill, he is untainted compared to many other controversial figures who have emerged as new faces. Leadership is born from two things: capability and initiative. If the leaders of the Gen-Z movement lose one of these, Nepali society may lose a significant opportunity. Now, a minute’s delay means nothing but unlimited loss of life and property.
