In the heart of Kathmandu, a new chapter in Nepal’s tumultuous political history is unfolding, driven not by seasoned politicians but by a wave of Gen Z youth who have taken to the streets demanding change. Nearly 50 days after the September 8 and 9 protests—now widely dubbed the “Gen Z Revolution”—the dust has far from settled. The interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, finds itself under intense scrutiny as it attempts to steer the country toward fresh elections by March 5, 2026, all while grappling with internal discord, security challenges, and the unmistakable call for a “Naya Nepal.”
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader Toshima Karki, a prominent voice in the movement’s aftermath, has gone so far as to call for the Gen Z protest to be recognized as Nepal’s third people’s movement. “The need for civilized politics and good governance conveyed by the peaceful uprising on September 8 should be institutionalized, but the resentment and unexpected incidents of vandalism, arson and destruction on September 9 should not be blamed on Gen Z under any pretext,” she wrote on social media, as reported by Republica. Her words resonate with a generation that feels unheard and a political system that, for decades, has failed to deliver on its promises.
Karki’s critique did not stop at the movement’s symbolism. She openly condemned the government’s response to the protests, labeling its actions as “criminal conduct” and demanding a fair investigation into the use of force against demonstrators. “Since the criminal character shown by the government on September 8 is inexcusable it must be brought under the purview of law and action,” Karki insisted, further fueling public demand for accountability and reform.
The Gen Z movement’s impact has been seismic. According to The Kathmandu Post and other sources, the protests not only toppled an elected government but also exposed deep fissures within Nepal’s political and security apparatus. The interim government, hastily assembled in the wake of the upheaval, has expanded its cabinet to ten ministers, covering portfolios from home affairs to education, health, and even defence—held by the Prime Minister herself. Yet this expansion has done little to quell concerns about the country’s readiness for the ambitious election deadline.
On October 30, for the first time since the September protests, key stakeholders—the interim government, major political parties, and Gen Z representatives—sat down together to chart a path forward. While there was consensus on the need for elections, agreement on how and when to proceed proved elusive. The Communist Party of Nepal-UML (CPN-UML), for instance, continues to contest the President’s dissolution of the House of Representatives, calling it unconstitutional and demanding its restoration. Meanwhile, the royalist Rastriya Prajatantrik Party is advocating for the return of the monarchy, and the Nepali Congress Party has raised practical concerns about holding elections in March, citing the extreme cold in hilly regions. The result? A political stalemate with each faction angling for more time and leverage.
Security concerns add another layer of complexity. In a development that few anticipated, nearly 1,000 personnel from Nepal’s security forces—about 450 from the Nepal Police and 550 from the Armed Police Force—have resigned over the past three months. This wave of departures, as reported by The Kathmandu Post, has been attributed partly to demoralization following the Gen Z protests. The resignations span both higher and lower ranks, with some officers having served for over two decades and others just a few years. Amendments curtailing perks and social security benefits have played a role, but the timing and scale of the resignations suggest a deeper malaise.
“Gen Z protests have demoralised many personnel, contributing to the rising number of resignations,” the Post reported. The deaths of civilians and police officers during the protests have only heightened anxieties, echoing memories of the Maoist insurgency between 1996 and 2006, when police were frequent targets of violence. For many, the risks of public service now outweigh the benefits, prompting not just early retirement but also a search for safer, more stable livelihoods abroad.
This exodus underscores a broader trend that has haunted Nepal for decades: outward migration in search of employment and security. From Australia and Malaysia to Japan and the Gulf states, Nepalis have long sought opportunities beyond their borders, a pattern exacerbated by political instability and economic stagnation at home. The Gen Z uprising, fueled in part by soaring unemployment and a lack of prospects, threatens to drive a new wave of emigration. As commentator Rishi Gupta observed, “the Gen Z movement could be prompting another phase of gloom and pessimism, where leaving the country could be a better alternative.”
For all the talk of a “Naya Nepal”—a term that gained traction after the monarchy’s abolition in 2008—the reality on the ground remains stubbornly unchanged. The interim government, despite its efforts to expand and diversify, faces daunting obstacles. The consensus-driven approach to election planning has so far produced more questions than answers, with no clear roadmap for integrating Gen Z demands into the political mainstream or for ensuring the security needed to hold free and fair elections.
Yet, there are glimmers of hope amid the uncertainty. The willingness of Gen Z leaders like Toshima Karki to engage with the political process and articulate a vision for “cultured politics and good governance” signals a shift in the national conversation. Their insistence on accountability, transparency, and institutional reform has forced traditional parties to reckon with their own shortcomings and consider long-overdue changes within their ranks.
At the same time, the resignations from the police and armed forces serve as a sobering reminder that meaningful change cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. The erosion of trust in public institutions, coupled with the lure of opportunities abroad, threatens to undermine the very foundations of the state. As Nepal edges toward its next election, the question remains: can the country’s leaders bridge the gap between aspiration and action, or will the Gen Z Revolution become yet another footnote in its long struggle for democracy?
With just five months until the planned elections, the clock is ticking. The interim government’s ability to deliver on the promise of a new Nepal—one rooted in vibrant democracy, strong institutions, and genuine opportunity—will be tested as never before. For now, the nation watches, waits, and wonders whether this latest movement will finally turn the page or simply add another layer to its complex political tapestry.
