Nepal’s Gen Z Protests

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Context:

Massive Gen Z-led protests in Nepal forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, leading to an interim government and elections scheduled for March 2026.

Immediate Fallout

Resignation of Prime Minister: Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 9, 2025, following widespread Gen Z protests and public anger over excessive police action.
Appointment of Interim PM: Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as interim Prime Minister on September 12, tasked with conducting elections within six months.
Parliament Dissolution: Parliament was dissolved, and an apolitical expert cabinet is being formed to restore calm and ensure smooth election preparations.

Causes and Political Background

Youth-Led Unrest: The protests reflected rising youth unemployment in Nepal (over 20%) and frustration with cronyism and coalition politics.
Historical Political Instability: Since 2015, Nepal has seen seven governments under recurring leaders, frequent changes preventing job growth and economic development.
Regional Context: Similar political upheavals occurred in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar due to youth protests, long-tenured leaders, and weak accountability mechanisms.

Challenges and Way Forward

Election and Accountability: Interim government priorities include conducting March 5, 2026 elections, investigating police excesses, and exposing political corruption.
Constitutional Concerns: Proposals to amend the 2015 constitution, including directly elected executives or weakening federalism, risk sparking protests among Madhesis, Janjatis, and Tharu communities.
India-Nepal Relations: India maintained a neutral stance, with Prime Minister Modi extending support to the interim government and emphasizing peaceful, free, and fair elections.

Practice Question:

Examine the role of youth-led movements in shaping political transitions in South Asia, with reference to Nepal’s 2025 protests. Discuss the challenges of constitutional reforms and maintaining democratic stability in such transitions.

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