Nepal Must Change Governance Culture

In Nepali political conversations, a popular proverb is often repeated: "Jun jogi aaye pani kanai chireko" (no matter which monk arrives, his ears are already slit). This is more than just a saying; it is a painful reality that Nepali citizens have faced for seven decades. We have had revolutions, changed systems, rewritten the constitution, and replaced leaders many times. However, the basic ‘way of doing things’ remains the same. The urgent need today is not just to change the people in power, but to completely transform the culture of how our country is governed.

Nepal’s modern history has been like a laboratory for political experiments. Since democracy first arrived in 1951, through the major movements of 1990 and 2006, the country’s government structure has been turned upside down multiple times. The ten-year armed conflict and the establishment of a Federal Democratic Republic were supposed to bring a new era. Yet a sad truth remains: every time the system changed and leaders were replaced, their "bad habits" persisted. The old style of "giving orders and expecting flattery" simply took on a new democratic look.

Old mindset

The system evolved, but the old mindset that treats citizens like servants stayed as it is. Power moved from the palace to the government offices, but it has not yet reached the doorsteps of the common people. The public anger seen on the streets on Bhadra 23 and 24 (September 8–9, 2025) was not just a routine protest. It was a major uprising against years of corruption, mismanagement, and political groups looking out only for themselves. The Gen Z youth and frustrated citizens who joined the protests were not trying to simply swap one politician for another. 

They were attacking the roots of "fixed" politics, favouritism, and the culture where the powerful face no punishment. This movement sent a clear warning: politics cannot continue with an "anything goes" attitude. True change is not just about moving people from one chair to another; it is about listening to the people and running institutions with honesty. Today’s youth, especially Gen Z, grew up in the digital age. They are not easily fooled by the empty speeches that satisfied older generations. They are globally aware and judge politics by results, not by old stories of past revolutions. 

The young people leading these movements want a system where talent is respected, where they can get healthcare without waiting in endless lines, and where obtaining a passport is not a nightmare. They want efficiency, not excuses. If the successive governments do not change their style of functioning, the country will continue to lose its best young minds to migration, and the dream of a better life will remain just a dream.

In Nepal, we often mistakenly believe that a new government automatically means progress. But replacing one face with another is not a victory for democracy if the behaviour stays the same. True change only happens when there is a real improvement in how the government works and how leaders behave. Too often, those who talk about "good governance" while they are out of power start practicing favouritism as soon as they take office. Until leaders see themselves as servants rather than rulers, changing the players is just for show.

Real reforms 

All eyes are now on the upcoming elections on March 5. The only way to address the anger seen in the streets is to show real, visible change after the polls. The new leadership has only two choices: keep the old culture of "power-sharing" and poor management or choose the path of real reform. If the government formed after the elections fails to show results, the people may lose all trust in the system.

In conclusion, change is a continuous journey. Changing a leader is a normal event, but changing the culture of governance is a great achievement. We have changed faces many times; now, we must change our political culture. True change is felt when there is justice, equality, and good service for every citizen. The people of Nepal no longer want just new faces; they demand a new way of being served.

(Wad is pursuing B.A.LL.B. at the Kathmandu School of Law, Bhaktapur.)