Nepal’s Gen Z Rises: Youth Demand Early Elections, Reject Monarchy, Says Ex-Minister

KATHMANDU, NEPAL – From the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the quiet villages that share a border with Uttar Pradesh, a deep-seated frustration is boiling over into a powerful new political movement. Nepal’s youth, a generation that came of age in a republic that promised a new future, is now rising up against the very system they were told to believe in.

This simmering discontent has found a clear voice in a recent, pivotal statement by former minister and prominent political thinker, Rabindra Mishra. He has articulated the core demands of this Gen Z-led movement: they want early elections within a year, a new “citizen-led government,” and, crucially, they have no interest in a return of the monarchy.

This is not just another fleeting protest. It is a potential “youthquake,” a fundamental challenge to the political status quo that has defined Nepal for nearly two decades. To understand what is happening in our Himalayan neighbor, we must delve deep into the unfulfilled promises of its past and the complex realities of its present.

The Spark: Decoding the Demands of a New Generation

The demands of this youth movement are not random; they are a direct response to years of perceived failure by the political establishment.

• A Call for Early Elections: The demand to dissolve the current parliament and hold fresh polls is a collective vote of no-confidence. The youth see the current Nepal government—a fragile coalition of old, rival parties—as incapable of solving the nation’s problems. They want a complete reset.

• The Vision of a “Citizen-Led Government”: This is the most radical and telling demand. It signals a complete loss of faith in career politicians. The movement envisions a government run by competent technocrats, experts, and respected citizens from outside the political “cartel.” It’s a plea for governance based on expertise, not on power-sharing deals.

• The Rejection of the Monarchy: This is a crucial clarification. While small, vocal royalist groups have tried to harness public anger to call for the king’s return, this mainstream youth movement is firmly against it. They see the monarchy as a relic of an autocratic past. Their fight is not to go backward, but to fix the broken democracy they currently have.

The Tinderbox: The Roots of a Decade of Disappointment

To understand why Gen Z is so angry, we must look back to the birth of the republic. The abolition of the 240-year-old Shah dynasty in 2008, following a decade-long Maoist insurgency, was meant to be a new dawn. It promised peace, stability, and prosperity. For many young Nepalis, that promise feels broken.

• The Political Cartel: Instead of a vibrant democracy, what emerged was a system dominated by a handful of major political parties—primarily the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and the CPN (Maoist Centre). These parties and their aging leaders have been accused of operating like a cartel, rotating power amongst themselves through a series of unstable coalition governments while failing to deliver meaningful change.

• The Broken Economy & The Youth Exodus: The most significant failure has been the economy. With a youth unemployment rate hovering around 20% and rampant inflation, opportunities are scarce. This has created a devastating “youth exodus.” Nearly two million young Nepalis are officially working abroad, primarily in the Gulf, Malaysia, and India. Their remittances are the lifeline of Nepal’s economy, accounting for nearly a quarter of its GDP. This painful reality—that you have to leave your country to build a future—is the primary driver of the current discontent.

• The Scourge of Corruption: A constant stream of high-profile corruption scandals has shattered public trust. When young people see politicians getting richer while the country stagnates, it breeds a deep sense of injustice that is now spilling onto the streets.

The Great Game: India and China’s Competing Influence

The political situation in Kathmandu is not just a domestic issue; it is a matter of intense geopolitical interest, particularly for its two giant neighbors, India and China. Both nations are watching the current developments very closely.

• India’s Watchful Eye: For India, a stable Nepal is a strategic necessity. The deep historical, cultural, and religious ties, often described as a “Roti-Beti” (bread and daughter) relationship, are profound. An 1,800-km open border means that instability in Nepal has a direct impact on the security and social fabric of Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. For residents of cities like Meerut, developments in Nepal are local news. New Delhi has consistently supported Nepal’s democratic process and would be wary of any instability that could be exploited by external powers.

• China’s Growing Footprint: In recent years, China has significantly increased its political and economic influence in Nepal through investments under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing often prefers dealing with strong, centralized regimes and may view widespread, decentralized protests with concern. The political instability in Kathmandu has created a space for a quiet tug-of-war for influence between New Delhi and Beijing.

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Conclusion: Nepal’s Quest for a New Future

Nepal is at a historic crossroads. A young, educated, and digitally-connected generation, fully aware of the world beyond its borders, is no longer willing to tolerate the failures of its political leadership.

The Nepal youth protest is an organic, heartfelt cry for a functional democracy, for economic opportunity, and for a future they can build in their own homeland. The movement’s biggest challenge will be to translate its digital momentum and street-level energy into a coherent political alternative that can challenge the deeply entrenched party system.

The coming months will be critical. The world, and especially its close neighbors in India, will be watching to see if this Himalayan republic can navigate this turbulent period and emerge with a political system that finally meets the aspirations of its people.