Restore Peace

Bini Dahal

Nepal has been a witness to numerous international protests over the last several years. We saw the downfall of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the recent protest against the political elite in Indonesia. Protests, a reflection of social conflict, are a common feature of every democratic society. But what Nepal witnessed recently has been dramatic, highlighting both positive and negative aspects.

The protest, initially peaceful, was led by Generation Z (Gen Z) on Monday (September 8) against growing corruption and joblessness, and the social media ban. However, the showdown took a serious turn when 19 protesters lost their lives while hundreds of others got maimed. That created anger among the mobs, who, the very next day, were able to overthrow the coalition government led by CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli. Their residences were burnt and looted. Several political leaders were also attacked. As per reports, to date, more than 30 individuals, including three police personnel, have been killed in the clash. 

The protest has brought massive political transformation, reflecting people’s need for a changed political leadership. But amidst this, a state of lawlessness has emerged. Buildings of all three organs of the state (Executive, Legislature and Judiciary) were burnt down. Prisoners have gotten out of jails, causing widespread fear and panic among the public. Several of the inmates have been caught committing crimes right after getting out of prison. Private businesses have also been looted and burnt, showing a situation where the protest has taken a completely horrendous turn. 

Amidst such a situation, the Gen Z now must work towards restoring peace and order across the country. The Constitution of Nepal should be taken as the main basis, upholding constitutional and citizen supremacy. A political vacuum exists that must be filled immediately. If not, opportunists and instigators could come up, rendering the protest ineffective and worthless. Therefore, Gen Z must build unity among themselves to have competent leadership for an interim government, based on consensus. Such leadership should make all efforts possible to maintain stability and push for fresh elections in the country. In the long run, our focus should be to build a robust system, one that promotes transparency, accountability, rule of law and good governance as a whole. 

All sections of society must now contribute to reinstating peace in the country and bringing prosperity and development.  Social conflicts are considered a means to bring social transformation and awaken the masses. While they can bring destruction, their timely management may bring about positive changes within the country. The protest has come up as a warning to the present and future political leaders, demanding they be fully accountable to the people. 

The political culture and corrupt mindset that existed up until now cannot continue in the future. A good political culture, combined with a strong governance system, can transform Nepal’s path for good. Citizens must be placed at the centre, and the governance system must strive to fulfill people’s needs and aspirations. Hence, how the transition period is handled will shape the country’s future. 

Nepal has a strong potential to return in a resilient manner. Building unity and cohesion is paramount to fend off any kind of intrusion and instigation of interest groups. Understanding this, Nepali people must come together. And for now, they need to keep watching out for political developments and contributing towards bringing an end to the existing political transition as soon as possible.