Pay Heed To Gen Z’s Call

The nation has plunged into an unprecedented crisis following the death of 19 persons - mostly young people – in the Gen Z protests in Kathmandu on Monday. Plumes of smoke rose into the sky of Kathmandu as the irate protesters set many houses of leaders and government buildings on fire on Tuesday. Their agitation flared up on Monday after the security forces resorted to excessive force against the young people, killing at least 19 of them and injuring more than 400.  Now the death toll has reached 21. They took to the streets, demanding that the government lift the ban on social networking sites and control corruption. On the second day of movement, the events occurred in quick succession.  The three wings of state – Federal Parliament, Singha Durbar and Supreme Court – fell into the hands of Gen Z protesters. They set fire to the office buildings of the executive, legislative and judiciary.

 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned from his post, calling for a political solution to the ongoing crisis. Chief of security agencies, including the Nepal Army, in a joint statement, have appealed to citizens to maintain restraint and find a peaceful solution through political dialogue as early as possible. The PM’s resignation and the statement of security organisations came after the situation got out of control. The killing of a large number of young people in a single day has eclipsed even the heinous massacres that happened in the country in the past. 

It is pertinent to understand why the movement of Gen Z agitation gripped the nation. Born in a digital era, Generation Z (Gen Z) is one of the most enlightened generations capable of grasping the economic and social realities of their times. They grew up with the internet, smartphones and social media, which are shaping the minds of people and the way they interact with their fellow beings. They are exposed to economic and climate crises.  The term ‘Gen Z’ that defined present generations has been derived from the West but it has become a rallying point to coalesce the youths to advance the cause. Gen Z is not merely fluent at using diverse digital platforms; they create public spheres to solve the burning social problems.  At the moment of truth, they do not hesitate to sacrifice themselves, as seen in the Monday movement that shook the nation to its core. 

 Entrenched corruption, misrule, unemployment, and outmigration caused widespread frustration among the Nepali youths but the new political class has pretended that no serious troubles are pestering the citizens. Despite various warnings, the political leaders have buried their heads in the sand and come to their senses only after Gen Z hit the streets. When the social networking sites were banned, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The social sites have connected people socially and economically. The step to impose digital silence backfired to the extent that it emerged as a revolution. 

For thousands of youths, social sites are not just a means of emotional attachment with their friends; they are like a lifeline to their professional and intellectual growth and financial earnings. In an age marked by the information revolution, the regressive move to block the social sites – the conduit of information – proved counterproductive and lethal. By the time the government decided to lift the ban on the social networking sites, it was too late and damage beyond imagination had already been incurred. Now, with the PM tendering resignation, the protesters should come to the negotiating table so that the nation will not suffer more loss of lives and properties.