By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
“As you sow, so you reap,” goes the old adage. Just last week, this time-tested axiom was proven correct in our country. The corrupt politicians who looted the country for decades were thrashed and chased away by our youths from across the country. This was the moment that every Nepali, be it within the country or outside, was waiting to see these corrupt politicians of all hues being punished for what they deserve.
Corruption was rampant. Abuse of authority for personal benefit became a daily occurrence. Thousands of youth were migrating abroad in search of better opportunities every day. The great majority of people across the country were struggling for day-to-day survival, while the kids of the politicians were enjoying a lavish lifestyle, holidays and luxurious cars funded by corruption. Fed up with this, our Generation Z (Gen Z) stood up and said enough is enough. Inspired by the success of the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Nepal Gen Z started the Nepo Kid campaign on social media against the rampant corruption and lavish lifestyle, luxurious cars and overseas holidays of kids of politicians funded by corruption. Soon after, the “Nepo Kid” social media campaign gained currency, where Gen Z expressed their anguish and dissatisfaction over the growing corruption.
On September 8, 2025, Gen Z launched a massive peaceful protest in Kathmandu against the rampant corruption. A huge number of Gen Z gathered at Maitghar and marched in a peaceful protest demanding the end of corruption in the country. But what began as a peaceful protest escalated after the government deployed a heavy security presence in the protest areas. The security personnel indiscriminately gunned down young and innocent college students who were staging peaceful protests against the corruption. This was the most tragic and black day in our history, as even during the April uprising of 2006, 19 innocent Nepalese citizens were not murdered by the security personnel in a single day across the country.
Gen Z was broken to the core following the murder of 19 innocent youths. However, this did not deter their determination to continue their crusade against corruption and corrupt politicians. Instead, they intensified their movement across the country, which compelled the corrupt politicians of all hues to run away. They thrashed the corrupt politicians black and blue and vandalised and burnt the property of the corrupt politicians. The PM, Oli, tendered his resignation, paving the way for the formation of a new government.
Now, the parliament has also been dissolved, and the new interim government under the leadership of former chief justice of the Supreme Court and anti-corruption crusader Sushila Karki has been formed. She took the oath of office and secrecy. In her message to the nation, she vowed that she will not let down Gen Z and the people and will always work in the true spirit of service. She also promised to serve the people and the nation wholeheartedly. The PM has also vowed to conduct the general election by March next year.
The people across the country are much jubilated and wholeheartedly welcomed the new government under the leadership of Sushila Karki. They express their immense gratitude to Gen Z and their peaceful protest that has brought the unthinkable changes. Most importantly, they say that they will always remain in awe of them for ending the corrupt political system across the country.
The end of the corrupt political system controlled by the politicians from Congress, CPN-UML, Maoist, RSP and RPP marks the beginning of a new beginning. It also lays the foundation of a prosperous Nepal where justice and the rule of law will prevail. Likewise, it has also triggered a massive hope among the people that Nepal will become socially, economically and politically stable.
But the road ahead is fraught with challenges. This is a very delicate moment for Gen Z and the newly formed prime minister. To say, our Gen Z and newly formed prime minister will be forced to walk the tightrope. The politicians – be it from Congress, CPN UML, Maoist, RPP or RSP – will resort to any tactics to sabotage the achievements gained by the Gen Z movement. Given their corrupt mindset and immoral ethics, the politicians from Nepali Congress, CPN UML, Maoist, RSP, RPP or any other party will hatch a conspiracy theory and attempt to mislead the people. Gen Z and PM must be careful and should not trust them at any cost.
On the other hand, the people who are perturbed by poor governance and ineffective service delivery have pinned high hopes on Gen Z and the government. The government should not breach the trust of the people. Many mothers have sacrificed their sons to lay the foundation for prosperous Nepal. Their sacrifice should not be in vain. This would be the worst scenario no one can even imagine.
There are rumours that politicians of all hues are attempting to seize the opportunity to fan the flame. A senior leader of RSP, Swarnim Wagley, said that he was ready to take the leadership to lead the interim government if Gen G agrees. Similarly, the General Secretary, Gagan Thapa, of the Nepali Congress, reported expressing similar views. Not only these two, but the politicians from CPN UML, Maoist and RPP also indirectly expressed their willingness to lead the interim government. It is beyond the understanding of a common man what led them to utter such words. This is a clear indication that they lack morality and ethics.
Without any doubt, this is a victory of our Gen Z. But they should be careful, as they lack adequate political capital at present. The corrupt politicians of all hues can take undue advantage and create a rift among them. They should remain united and they should not be guided by any political ideology. Most importantly, the sacrifice of our young and innocent citizens should not be in vain. Their sacrifice for the nation has laid the foundation for a new beginning.
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