Did Anarchists and Reactionaries Infiltrate the Gen-Z Movement in Nepal?

Kathmandu, Sep 7 (NationPress) Following the tragic confirmation of at least 19 fatalities and over 300 injuries during the youth-led anti-government protests in Kathmandu on Monday, Nepal's Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, who also acts as the government spokesperson, disclosed that anarchists and reactionaries had permeated the Gen-Z movement that organized the nationwide demonstrations.

In a brief statement to the press, Gurung noted that the protests and instances of arson extended into sensitive regions beyond the initial agenda. "The primary demands of the Gen-Z movement included an investigation into corruption and the restoration of banned social media, yet major government buildings fell victim to vandalism," he stated, adding, "tragic incidents ensued afterward."

Expressing grief over the significant number of lives lost during the protests, he attributed the violence to "reactionary and anarchist" elements that allegedly infiltrated the protests with the aim of usurping power.

Ananda Kafle, spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that at least 19 individuals had died by Monday evening after police opened fire on demonstrators reportedly involved in vandalizing governmental properties.

A group of youths identifying as Gen-Z organized the protests in Kathmandu and other locations to challenge the alleged corruption and the ban imposed by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's government on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, WeChat, among others, for failing to register with government authorities.

According to Nepal Police spokesperson DIG Binod Ghimire, "The police were compelled to use force with local administration's consent to manage the crowd."

Although protests took place across various major cities, those in the Kathmandu Valley escalated into violence as some protesters breached police barriers and entered the premises of Nepal’s parliamentary building.

Police officials reported that at least 17 people were killed in Kathmandu alone during these clashes.

In response, the local administration of Kathmandu imposed a curfew around the parliamentary building, which was later extended to other key areas, including Singh Durbar, the central administrative hub of the Nepali government, as well as the residences of the Prime Minister and the President and Vice Presidents.

Despite the curfew, protests persisted in restricted areas, resulting in more fatalities amid police gunfire.

Initially, the organizers of the mass protest had secured permission from local authorities for a "peaceful protest," but the situation escalated, leading to tragic outcomes. In a press release, the leadership of the Gen-Z movement indicated that the infiltration of undesired groups incited violence, stating: "They resorted to vandalism and attempted to forcefully enter the parliament building, resulting in chaos."

A former senior police officer attributed the violent events to intelligence failures. "The government’s intelligence apparatus failed to accurately gauge the situation, leading to regrettable humanitarian losses," said former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Hemanta Malla. "Had they properly assessed the scale of the protests and prepared accordingly, the situation could have been managed more effectively," he asserted.

He also noted that the government employed excessive force to control the crowds, which contributed to the tragic toll of deaths and injuries.

Reports have surfaced of sporadic confrontations between police and protesters in various regions, including in the eastern Jhapa district, which is Prime Minister Oli's hometown.

In Jhapa, during an anti-corruption protest led by Gen-Z youths, at least a dozen demonstrators sustained injuries in clashes with police. Protesters also targeted Prime Minister Oli's residence in Jhapa with stones.

In Sunsari, young demonstrators set fire to the office of the Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City, prompting local authorities to impose an indefinite curfew.

The protest in Kathmandu drew a massive crowd from early in the day amid disillusionment among the youth towards the current political leadership. Following the Nepali government's ban on over two dozen popular apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, WeChat, and others since September 5, protest organizers utilized TikTok, a platform that remained accessible, to announce protests.

A trending social media phenomenon, ‘Nepo Kid’, has gained traction in Nepal recently, with young people accusing children of politicians and influential figures of enjoying privileges financed by corruption while ordinary citizens struggle.

The terms ‘Nepo Kid’ and ‘Nepo Baby’ highlight issues of nepotism.

In light of rising corruption complaints, social media has become a crucial avenue for youths to express their frustrations. Following the ban on several social media platforms, young people initiated protests against the government's actions, demanding the lifting of bans on social media apps and an end to corruption.

Political analysts suggest that the substantial turnout at the Gen-Z movement indicates a growing dissatisfaction among the youth with Nepal's political elite. "In the past year, we have witnessed sporadic, unorganized protests against alleged corruption and nepotism," noted Arun Subedi, a political analyst and former foreign policy advisor to ex-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He emphasized, "As political leaders have failed to change their ways, youth frustrations culminated in a significant protest on Monday."

The profound sense of injustice has drawn large crowds to the streets, as many perceive that political leaders and their associates lead lavish lifestyles while ordinary citizens endure hardship.

Nearly a million Nepalis sought foreign employment during the fiscal year 2024-25, which concluded in mid-July, due to limited job opportunities at home, according to a government report. Thousands of students also pursue education abroad while seeking employment.

Subedi concluded, "It is the collective failure of Nepal's political leadership."

He recalled that last year, Bangladesh experienced massive student protests that resulted in the long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India.

However, he pointed out, "Nepal's circumstances differ from those of Bangladesh, where Hasina's departure stemmed from oppression of opposition voices, while in Nepal, it is economic failure and corruption that have driven protesters to the streets."