kathmandu1 hour ago
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The growing resentment of the youth in Nepal has again started appearing on the streets. In the last three days, three youths attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on themselves. Two of them died during treatment, while a youth is admitted in the hospital with serious burns.
The demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ has intensified. Youth are protesting in the capital Kathmandu, while the opposition party Nepali Congress has accused the government of failing to instill hope and confidence among the youth.
Gen-G Nepal organization has accused Prime Minister Balen Shah of running the government in an anti-people and autocratic manner. The organization says that no concrete steps were taken in the budget and policies to increase employment and income of the youth.
In 2023, Balen Shah had called self-immolation a failure of the government.
The protesters created a ruckus after occupying the Parliament House on September 9. They also looted the weapons of the security personnel.
The incident of 2023, when Prem Acharya committed suicide, is also in discussion. Balen Shah, who was the mayor of Kathmandu at that time, called it an extreme failure of the state. Now his silence on current events is the target of the opposition and protesters.
These incidents continuously unfolding in Nepal have raised serious questions regarding the mental condition of the youth, unemployment and government policies. Political parties and social organizations believe that if the government does not take effective steps soon, the protests may intensify.
Balen became the face of protest in GenZ Protest
After becoming mayor in 2022, Balen took strict steps to clean the city, preserve heritage and fight corruption. The crackdown on illegal construction improved traffic, although it also led to opposition, especially from roadside vendors and slum dwellers.
Balen Shah’s influence was not limited to administration only. His songs resonated among the youth during the protests held in September last year. 77 people died in these protests and the reason behind this was people’s anger over the ban on social media, unemployment, corruption and slow economy. The protesters made his song ‘Nepal Hanseko’ a kind of symbol.
His party won a major victory in the general elections held on March 5, which dealt a major blow to Nepal’s traditional politics. Balen Shah proved his political strength by defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from Jhapa-5 seat. By assuming the post of Prime Minister at the age of 35, he has become the youngest Prime Minister of Nepal.
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