Gen-Z Movement Martyrs: 'Not only martyrdom, we also need justice'

Arghakhanchi, Nov 27: The wounds in the hearts of the families who had their loved ones martyred during the Gen-Z Movement are still afresh. While the pain of losing a family member remains, there is also high concern that their sacrifice may not be able to bring about the desired changes in the state and country. 

This state of pain and anxiety is also found in the family of Madhav Saru Magar of Dharapani, Bhumikasthan Municipality-4, Arghakhanchi, who died after being shot by police in Baneshwor, Kathmandu on September 8 during the GenZ protests.

Madhav has been formally declared a martyr by the state but the bereaved family of the twenty-year-old is still waiting justice.

After completing grade 12 education from Kanti Secondary School in Butwal, Madhav had moved to the federal capital Kathmandu for further studies and seek his future. Madhav is learnt to have joined the GenZ movement when he felt that the future of the youth was being played with. But the decision to take to the streets for change turned fatal.

"We have lost a family member, we are feeling the pain, no matter how much the state does, it cannot fill the void in our family, says Madhav's father Chandra, "Nevertheless, our expectation beyond the declaration of martyr is that the voices that the young generation raised on the streets should be addressed." The next generation should not have to raise such voices again.

Madhav's father Chandra, who has been working in Qatar for the last nine years, returned home immediately after receiving the sad news of his son's death. After the government delayed coming up with a clear plan for the rehabilitation of the martyr's family, he was forced to go abroad again due to the financial burden of the family. He now has a family of three, including his wife, 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter.

Participating in the movement was not a crime, but the family complains that the officers who opened fire on the unarmed youth has not been prosecuted to this day. Madhav's mother, Madhu Saru, is still not over her grief. She says, "Madhav's room, his books are all the same state, but he is missing. His silence and tears are all over the house."

She said, "We lost a son who dreamed of changing the country, but that dream should not be allowed to die. Until justice is established, the meaning of our son's sacrifice remains incomplete." She emphasizes that those behind the killings should be prosecuted and punished legally. In addition, permanent employment should be provided for the families of the martyrs. (RSS)