Saturday, 13 September, 2025
Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been chosen by Gen Z protesters as their representative in negotiations with the army over the formation of a new government.
The decision came after a six-hour meeting on Tuesday evening, NDTV reported. Protesters are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former prime minister, home minister, and others accused of ordering mass killings.
Their demands also include a new constitution with a provision limiting any individual to no more than two terms as prime minister, as well as the cancellation of politically influenced appointments to constitutional bodies, including the anti-graft watchdog CIAA and the judiciary. They are calling for a transparent, merit-based selection process instead.
Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, is widely respected for her uncompromising stance on corruption. Appointed in 2016, she presided over multiple high-profile corruption cases. In 2017, she faced an impeachment attempt by the then Maoist-led government, but it was withdrawn following public and judicial backlash.
“This government should step down. These leaders are out of date. They have no vision, no education. Maybe they have certificates, but they do not seem educated,” Karki told NDTV in a recent interview.
Violence and Army Deployment
Nepal’s army has deployed patrols across the capital, Kathmandu, as the country faces its worst unrest in decades. What began as anti-corruption protests quickly spiraled into arson and violence on Tuesday, leaving 30 dead and more than 1,000 injured in just two days.
Government buildings, including parliament and the Singha Durbar complex, were set ablaze. Politicians’ homes were vandalized, and the prime minister resigned in the wake of the unrest.
The protests, led largely by Gen Z demonstrators, were triggered by last week’s government decision to ban 26 social media platforms—including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Although the ban was lifted on Monday night, the demonstrations had already evolved into a wider anti-establishment movement.
Nineteen people were killed in clashes with police on Monday alone, further inflaming public anger.
Protesters Distance Themselves from Violence
Gen Z leaders have condemned the arson and vandalism, claiming the protests were “hijacked by opportunists.” In a statement, they reaffirmed that their movement “was and remains non-violent and rooted in the principles of peaceful civic engagement.”
They have suspended further protests for now and are working with volunteers to help clean up the damage and protect public property.
The army, which has warned that acts of violence will be strictly punished, has invited protesters to join peace talks. Nationwide curfews remain in place until Thursday morning. Security forces have set up checkpoints across Kathmandu and are urging residents to stay home.
Human Toll and Widespread Destruction
Among those injured in the unrest was the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, who suffered serious burns when their house in Kathmandu was torched. She remains in critical condition at Kirtipur Burns Hospital.
The Supreme Court has suspended all hearings indefinitely due to extensive damage to its building. During the chaos on Tuesday, thousands of inmates escaped from prisons across Nepal. Five teenage inmates were shot dead by security forces while fleeing a juvenile correctional facility in Banke district.
Voices of Change
Despite the violence, many citizens see hope for reform.
“This corruption thing has been in Nepal for a very, very long time. It is high time the nation changes,” said 14-year-old Ksang Lama, who did not join the protests.
Kathmandu resident Parash Pratap Hamal, 24, who took part in demonstrations, said Nepal now “needs independent political figures” and pointed to Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah as a model leader.
“There is hope for better governance,” said Rakesh Niraula, 36, from eastern Nepal. “We feel like this was a lesson for leaders to improve themselves so the country can have a bright future.”
Others, however, remain shaken by the destruction. “Personally, I believe this shouldn’t have happened,” Niraula added.
Prabhat Paudel, an entrepreneur from Lalitpur, expressed shock at the burning of government offices, calling them “our own national wealth.”
Uncertain Path Ahead
With the prime minister’s resignation leaving a power vacuum, the country faces political uncertainty. Gen Z protesters have called for a transparent and accountable government “free from entrenched party politics” and selected based on competence and integrity.
“There is deep anxiety and innocent young people have died,” said Taru Karki, a Kathmandu-based social worker. “What the country needs now is peace and an end to the corruption that pushed so many people onto the streets. Enough is enough.”
Comments
Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been chosen by Gen Z protesters as their representative in negotiations with the army over the formation of a new government.
The decision came after a six-hour meeting on Tuesday evening, NDTV reported. Protesters are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former prime minister, home minister, and others accused of ordering mass killings.
Their demands also include a new constitution with a provision limiting any individual to no more than two terms as prime minister, as well as the cancellation of politically influenced appointments to constitutional bodies, including the anti-graft watchdog CIAA and the judiciary. They are calling for a transparent, merit-based selection process instead.
Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, is widely respected for her uncompromising stance on corruption. Appointed in 2016, she presided over multiple high-profile corruption cases. In 2017, she faced an impeachment attempt by the then Maoist-led government, but it was withdrawn following public and judicial backlash.
“This government should step down. These leaders are out of date. They have no vision, no education. Maybe they have certificates, but they do not seem educated,” Karki told NDTV in a recent interview.
Violence and Army Deployment
Nepal’s army has deployed patrols across the capital, Kathmandu, as the country faces its worst unrest in decades. What began as anti-corruption protests quickly spiraled into arson and violence on Tuesday, leaving 30 dead and more than 1,000 injured in just two days.
Government buildings, including parliament and the Singha Durbar complex, were set ablaze. Politicians’ homes were vandalized, and the prime minister resigned in the wake of the unrest.
The protests, led largely by Gen Z demonstrators, were triggered by last week’s government decision to ban 26 social media platforms—including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Although the ban was lifted on Monday night, the demonstrations had already evolved into a wider anti-establishment movement.
Nineteen people were killed in clashes with police on Monday alone, further inflaming public anger.
Protesters Distance Themselves from Violence
Gen Z leaders have condemned the arson and vandalism, claiming the protests were “hijacked by opportunists.” In a statement, they reaffirmed that their movement “was and remains non-violent and rooted in the principles of peaceful civic engagement.”
They have suspended further protests for now and are working with volunteers to help clean up the damage and protect public property.
The army, which has warned that acts of violence will be strictly punished, has invited protesters to join peace talks. Nationwide curfews remain in place until Thursday morning. Security forces have set up checkpoints across Kathmandu and are urging residents to stay home.
Human Toll and Widespread Destruction
Among those injured in the unrest was the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, who suffered serious burns when their house in Kathmandu was torched. She remains in critical condition at Kirtipur Burns Hospital.
The Supreme Court has suspended all hearings indefinitely due to extensive damage to its building. During the chaos on Tuesday, thousands of inmates escaped from prisons across Nepal. Five teenage inmates were shot dead by security forces while fleeing a juvenile correctional facility in Banke district.
Voices of Change
Despite the violence, many citizens see hope for reform.
“This corruption thing has been in Nepal for a very, very long time. It is high time the nation changes,” said 14-year-old Ksang Lama, who did not join the protests.
Kathmandu resident Parash Pratap Hamal, 24, who took part in demonstrations, said Nepal now “needs independent political figures” and pointed to Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah as a model leader.
“There is hope for better governance,” said Rakesh Niraula, 36, from eastern Nepal. “We feel like this was a lesson for leaders to improve themselves so the country can have a bright future.”
Others, however, remain shaken by the destruction. “Personally, I believe this shouldn’t have happened,” Niraula added.
Prabhat Paudel, an entrepreneur from Lalitpur, expressed shock at the burning of government offices, calling them “our own national wealth.”
Uncertain Path Ahead
With the prime minister’s resignation leaving a power vacuum, the country faces political uncertainty. Gen Z protesters have called for a transparent and accountable government “free from entrenched party politics” and selected based on competence and integrity.
“There is deep anxiety and innocent young people have died,” said Taru Karki, a Kathmandu-based social worker. “What the country needs now is peace and an end to the corruption that pushed so many people onto the streets. Enough is enough.”
Comments
