Meet Gen-Z Demand Forthwith

The initial demands of Gen-Z—youth in secondary school, higher secondary, and college—were clear: lift the ban on social media and curb rampant corruption and black money. Public anger against the pervasive corruption and nepotism in the country was nearing a boiling point, a sentiment shared not only by Gen-Z but by all generations. Resentment towards the political class was at its zenith. At this critical juncture, the Government of Nepal (GoN) suddenly banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, effective the night of September 4. These platforms are widely used by all generations, and many citizens had successfully monetized their presence on them. This ban triggered an explosion of public anger, leading thousands of Gen-Z protesters to take to the streets carrying the national flag on September 8. In response, the Oli government revealed its inhuman face by massacring 19 innocent youths in cold blood, within a dozen hours—at the rate of one killing in less than an hour. This murderous spree was unprecedented in Nepal's history of mass movements. The ensuing explosive situation created an opportunity for rioters to vandalize, loot, and set fire to public and private properties on September 9, culminating in approximately 75 innocent deaths. Social Media On September 29, 2024, an expanded full bench of the Supreme Court, comprising nine justices, directed the GoN to regulate social media after promulgating legislation. However, instead of complying with this directive, the GoN used it as a pretext to impose a blanket ban on 26 platforms on the night of September 4, 2025, citing an older directive from November 2023. The current Chief Justice has publicly stated that the government violated the Supreme Court's directive by banning platforms without enacting a law. The ban was lifted on the night of September 8, but only after the government had already killed 19 young protesters. Gen-Z's Demands The outgoing Oli government fulfilled the first demand by lifting the social media ban. It now falls upon the Sushila Karki government to address the second demand: curbing corruption and black money. Furthermore, the tragedies of September 8 and 9 have spawned a third, critical demand: a transparent investigation into the unnecessary deaths of 75 innocents, the hundreds injured, and the widespread vandalism, arson, and looting. Ms. Karki, chosen by the Gen-Z movement to lead, initially stated she would only accept the premiership after the dissolution of the House of Representatives (HoR), placing President Ram Chandra Poudel in a constitutional dilemma. As a legal and judicial person, she should have been aware that the ceremonial President can only dissolve the HoR upon the Prime Minister's recommendation. Ultimately, the President appointed her under Article 61(4) of the Constitution, which entrusts the President with protecting the Constitution. Subsequently, upon her recommendation, the President dissolved the HoR and directed her to hold elections by March 5, 2026. Thus, the Karki government bears a triple responsibility: (1) curb corruption and black money, (2) investigate the September violence, and (3) conduct free and fair HoR elections. Inquiry Commission On September 21, 2025, the GoN formed a “High-Level Judicial Inquiry Commission” under former Judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, under Inquiry Commission Act of 1969. Section 4(2) of this Act limits the commission's function to submitting a report with its opinions. As a former Chief Justice, PM Karki should know that such a commission lacks the power to prosecute or file cases, and there is no guarantee its findings will be implemented. Merely calling it "high-level" or "judicial" is ineffective. The commission chairman is an old friend of this scribe and is a patriot known for his honesty and integrity. However, without requisite authority, the problem will not be solved. History is littered with unimplemented commission reports, such as Rayamajhi and Mallik. A commission under GB Karki himself, formed a dozen years ago to address cooperative issues, and another two years ago for usury victims, failed to resolve either problem. The issue is not the individual but the feeble 1969 Act, which authorizes only a report, not action. The situation demands a powerful commission authorized not only to gather evidence but also to file cases in court. The Karki government must achieve this by promulgating a new Ordinance. Election without Curbing Corruption A key responsibility of the Karki government is to hold HoR elections by March 5, 2026. However, if elections proceed without first prosecuting the corrupt and those possessing black money, there is a high probability that the same corrupt individuals will be re-elected, as they possess the immense wealth and cadre strength (muscle and money) to win. Voters are often blamed for re-electing corrupt politicians. But in an environment of selective prosecution and impunity, it is unsurprising when voters succumb to monetary inducements and intimidation. The public's collective memory is often short-lived. If corrupt politicians return to power, the blood of the 75 martyrs will be on the hands of the Karki government, which will be cursed by the victims' families. Furthermore, the destruction of infrastructure worth Rs 80 billion will have been in vain. Therefore, the government must immediately promulgate an ordinance to establish a commission vested with the authority to prosecute corrupt figures and ban those facing corruption charges from contesting the upcoming elections. Moreover, during the September 9 riots, it was revealed that corrupt leaders had hoarded large caches of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes – example of black money. The Karki government should immediately demonetize these high-denomination notes to neutralize a significant portion of black money. Private Sector The riots also exposed deep public anger towards intermediaries, brokers, and certain businessmen who are perceived to operate with impunity. For instance, an honorary consul caught smuggling a thermal gun during COVID-19 using a diplomatic vehicle faced no concrete state action. While some corrupt politicians and bureaucrats have been prosecuted, the intermediaries and businessmen who bribe them have almost never been punished. This one-sided accountability—punishing the bribe-taker but not the bribe-giver—is a primary reason corruption persists. The proposed Ordinance must include provisions to prosecute all parties involved in corruption. The state may be sympathetic towards the private sector due to the losses suffered on September 9. However, these losses will likely be indemnified by insurance companies and may even extract more by collusion between insurer and insured. Failing to prosecute the corrupters within the private sector ensures a vicious cycle where the same corrupt politicians return to power. Reports indicate politicians spent up to Rs 10 million on ward-level elections; the cost for a federal MP would be staggering. Intermediaries and businessmen often finance these campaigns, later recovering ten times their investment by misusing their connections with elected officials. The state should encourage the legitimate private sector, but it must not condone those who corrupt the system. Nepal's economy is in a precarious situation. The cooperative sector (the third leg of the economy) has cheated countless citizens, while the private sector (the second leg) has been busy corrupting politicians and bureaucrats. Action against bribe-givers is essential. This is a cancerous disease that requires immediate surgical removal; otherwise, it will metastasize, threatening the entire body politic. Grey-List In February 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey-listed Nepal for failing to promulgate and enforce laws against corruption and black money. Key reasons include: (1) lack of monitoring for cooperatives and real estate, (2) inaction by regulatory bodies, (3) an ineffective Money Laundering Investigation Department, and (4) a failure to investigate and seize assets acquired through crime. Nepal was previously grey-listed from 2008-2014 and was removed only after committing to legal reforms. For a decade, the politicians and bureaucrats failed to fulfill these commitments, leading to the recent grey-listing. A likely reason for this political indifference is that effective laws would land many powerful figures in jail. Therefore, the Karki government must immediately promulgate the necessary Ordinance to get Nepal off the grey list. Failure to do so risks a blacklisting, which would have dire economic consequences. Ordinance related to FATF The following provisions must be included in the FATF-related Ordinance: • Empower and enhance the capacity of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the National Vigilance Center, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, and other related bodies with necessary human and material resources. • Scrutinize the wealth sources of all elected officials (National Assembly, dissolved HoR, provincial, local) and all election candidates. Prosecute if assets are disproportionate to known income. • Scrutinize the wealth sources of all individuals donating over one hundred thousand rupees annually to political parties or politicians. Prosecute if assets are disproportionate to known income. • Investigate the wealth sources of political parties. Prosecute senior officials of parties found with disproportionate assets or colluding with intermediaries to the detriment of the nation. Conclusion The Karki government has a golden opportunity to fulfill Gen-Z's demand to curb corruption and black money. By courageously promulgating the ordinance described above, it could etch its name in golden letters in Nepal’s history. It is unrealistic to expect a future party government, formed after elections, to tackle this issue, as none have done so in the past. Failure to act will see the same corrupt leaders return to power with greater impunity. Since the source of corruption lies significantly with intermediaries and corrupt businessmen, prosecuting only politicians and bureaucrats is insufficient. The legitimate private sector should be encouraged, but allowing its corrupt elements to continue unchecked is tantamount to national hara-kiri. By taking these steps, Nepal can not only prosper but also be removed from the FATF grey list. Demonetizing high-value notes would neutralize black money. Furthermore, the government must lead by example: the Prime Minister and all ministers should publicly declare their assets and their sources within days. Prime Minister Sushila Karki's government is undergoing a trial by fire. If it succeeds, it will earn the applause of all Nepalis and set the country on a path to prosperity. Otherwise, the government will not only be tarnished but risk triggering another major upheaval in the very near future. Published in People’s Review of September 25, 2025. Ratna Sansar Shrestha, FCA https://mypeoplesreview.com/2025/09/24/meet-gen-z-demand-forthwith/