Normalcy Returns

Normalcy is gradually returning to the country, with the Nepali Army controlling security and engaging with the Gen-Z protesters for dialogue. The army has imposed a restrictive order to restore peace and order as the Gen-Z movement turned violent, and chaos gripped the country for two days. It is taking in the inmates who escaped from various jails taking advantage of the chaotic situation. On Monday, the nation was rocked by the deaths of 19 young people – the Gen Zers. Then, it was followed by a series of arson, vandalism and looting, spreading fear and shock among the people. What is satisfying is that protesting youths have come to the negotiating table with the army that is coordinating for formal talks between President Ramchandra Paudel and them. Following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the country is in a vacuum as the agitating group dismissed the possibility of accepting Oli as interim prime minister. 

As the Gen-Z movement struck down the country’s three organs – executive, legislative and judiciary - it was left rudderless but the army stepped up to the plate, providing much-needed respite to the people. However, this occurred only after the huge loss of lives and properties. The buildings of Parliament, Singha Durbar, Supreme Court, Special Court and private houses were set aflame. And no agencies came to the scene to protect them, a bitter reality that exposed the dysfunctional state of the State. The Zen Zeers, who talked to different digital media, have admitted that they did not imagine the destruction of public properties on this scale. Now it is becoming clear that there was infiltration of evil-doers in the protest. However, this poses a moral question to them: should they not take responsibility for this in the way the Oli government should be held accountable for the Monday mayhem?

In a positive development, more than a dozen Gen-Z representatives held initial talks with the army chief but they were advised to trim down their number and make their talks team inclusive so that no dispute surfaces within the Gen-Z group connected by using the diverse digital platforms. It is wise that the Gen Zeers have a unified voice and form their coordinator, enabling them to make negotiations effective and meaningful. Once the talks between the army leadership conclude, they will sit with the President, who has also called upon the protesters to find a peaceful solution to their demands. The Gen-Z launched the protests demanding that the government lift a ban on social networking sites and take effective measures to end widespread corruption.

But in the aftermath of the movement, the Gen Zeers are in a victorious mood, sidelining the mainstream political parties. They are naturally seeking their upper hand in the upcoming interim government. According to various media reports, they prefer the new government under the leadership of a clean person from the civil society. They are against the participation of the political parties in the new government structure. Moreover, they want to hold the Oli government accountable for the death of their friends. Another important point is that they are for rewriting the constitution in a progressive way so that good governance, transparency and accountability are ensured. The political parties that have lost their relevance now must not create hurdles to their talks with the President. Let’s hope sanity prevails in their quest to form a clean and capable government.