Optimism and realism as Nepal set for youth-focused future

Douglas Connor writes that Nepali youth are turning to politics after the “Generation Z” protests, raising hopes for reform but raising questions about how much change can actually occur.

A 35-year-old rapper looks set to lead Nepal into a distinctly youth-focused future, six months after the country’s deadly “Generation Z” riots.

Voters who went to the polls across Nepal on March 5 were faced with a political proposition very different from recent elections.

Apart from dismissing the Prime Minister KP Sharma OliSeptember’s Generation Z protests It has completely reshaped Nepalese politics; It has now become the focus of young people in terms of campaign and agenda.

The Gen Z movement has also led parties to turn to younger leaders, such as the former rapper and Mayor of Kathmandu. Balen ShahSeemingly poised to achieve a landslide election victory with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (R.S.P.) above the traditional political heavyweights.

young people love Amit LamaA 26-year-old bartender in Thamel, Kathmandu’s backpacker district, was buoyed by the presence of young people on the ballot this time.

Amit’s message to potential leaders ahead of the election was simple: No more corruption:

This election is very important for the change and development of our country.

This time is for young people and I am confident that a younger candidate will win this time.

Because this time, the power and support lies with the young candidates.

‘The entire political climate is in their favor’

Dr. Pramod Jaiswal He heads the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Participation (Beautiful), a think tank based in Kathmandu focusing on security and foreign policy issues.

Nepal’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift in recent months, says Jaiswal:

“Politics, which used to be in the hands of people aged 70-80, is now in the hands of people under 50. The entire political climate is in their favor.”

Far beyond a simple leadership change, young people are now driving Nepal’s political agenda, focusing on economic development and international cooperation, says Dr Jaiswal:

Traditionally, political parties viewed Nepal from a Cold War-era type geopolitical perspective. They say India or China are expansionists who can take over Nepali territory.

But the new generation saw this; No, all of these nations can be partners. They think we should engage with India and benefit from India. We must contact China. We must contact the West and the USA

Dr Jaiswal said witnessing the rapid rise of its nearest neighbors had further compounded the frustrations of Nepal’s youth in recent years:

Young people were asking why there is the rise of China, there is the rise of India, but there is no rise of Nepal. They have now become a regional and global power. Why aren’t we even moving towards that?
What is missing in the country? Resources?

Young people are aware that this is due to corruption. We have everything here to transform Nepal into a prosperous country, but corruption remains a major problem.

Eliminating institutional corruption was a key campaign promise for some major parties, and there was significant pressure for the new leadership to strengthen the country’s Commission of Inquiry into Abuse of Power (CIAA).

Dr. According to Jaiswal, one of the key changes since the September protests has been increased political literacy and a willingness to ask tough questions of the leadership class:

These Generation Z youth grew up during a time when Nepal was under armed Maoist revolution and subsequent political instability.

Generation Z thought politics wasn’t something they should look at. They saw it as something corrupt, unclean, unclean, and you should not touch it.

Now young people took to the streets. They are campaigning. After the Generation Z movement, almost a million people registered as voters for the first time.

They are active young people who will mobilize other people. I see them as youth activists who will actively participate in the election process.

Dr Jaiswal describes the change as a “political awakening”.

For the first time in Nepal’s election history, people are actually asking questions. What is your agenda? How will you bring change to us?

For the first time, people are not afraid to ask questions.

Watching a nation drift in the hope of political change, Dr Jaiswal is more reserved in his predictions:

Obviously there is desire. People are ready to support young candidates. It is not yet known how much they will deliver.

People expect institutional reform. I’m not very hopeful that they will be able to make significant changes overnight because they will be working within the same system.

There will be obstacles. The new forces may lack experience. This will depend on how well the parties can sustain themselves, how effectively they can convey their agendas, how effectively they can manage the opposition.

How will these young people and new parties cope with China, India and the USA? These are major geopolitical powers and if they can’t balance that it could be very challenging.

Life after the riots

Six months after being shot seven times in the “Generation Z” riots, Mohan Shrestha lives every day with the repercussions of protests that have claimed more than 50 lives.

Speaking ahead of the election, Mohan said he held little hope for meaningful political change despite the emergence of youth-led politics.

Mohan, 31, a bicycle mechanic in bustling Kathmandu, says he went to the youth-led anti-corruption protests in September to do something positive for his people.

Mohan has long been frustrated by the lack of opportunities for young people, systemic inequality and institutional corruption:

“I wanted to do something for my country. I wanted more from the government.”

Mohan, who attended a protest at Parliament House, said he thought the demonstrations and reaction would be peaceful:

“Suddenly, [the police] He started shooting. “I didn’t expect there to be shooting.”

Mohan was shot seven times, five in the abdomen. Months of recovery left him unable to work.

Mohan Shrestha in hospital (Picture provided)

Mohan, who has a family to support, including his wife Asmita and an almost one-year-old child, says he now deeply regrets joining the protest.

I went to protest and make change on behalf of my country, but now I realize it was a mistake.

Now life has gotten worse. After being shot, I cannot work, I cannot move freely, daily life is very difficult.

It’s still painful. Since I have a baby, I have to go to work to feed him.