Editor,
Nepal, the land of the Himalayas and the birthplace of Lord Buddha—the apostle of peace—has long been admired for its spiritual and natural beauty. With a population of about 30 million, the nation was once guided by a peace-centric ethos. However, the massacre of the royal family in 2001 marked a turning point, plunging the nation into prolonged turmoil and violent agitation. For over a decade, people struggled for democratic reforms, hoping for governance that could ensure peace and development.
Tragically, after countless sacrifices and loss of lives, the democratic framework that emerged proved shallow and inadequate. Accountability remained weak, corruption flourished, and governance often fell prey to favouritism. With limited opportunities at home, a large section of Nepal’s youth migrated abroad, making remittances a cornerstone of the nation’s economy while domestic growth stagnated.
Public frustration intensified in this climate, culminating in nationwide protests led by young citizens, especially Generation Z. They took to the streets against corruption, restrictions, and curbs on their freedoms, including the banning of several social media platforms. On 8th September, these protests reached a boiling point. What began as peaceful demonstrations turned into tragedy when security forces opened fire on unarmed citizens. Twenty-one lives were lost and over 350 injured as reported —a grim violation of international human rights norms.
The blood of innocents must not be shed in vain. This incident should be a wake-up call for Nepal’s government to embrace meaningful reform, uphold transparency, and respect the fundamental rights of its citizens. In any true democracy, power rests with the people, and leaders must never forget that their foremost duty is to serve them.
Yours etc.,
Rahul Chettri,
Shillong 1
Nepal’s Gen Z Fights Back
Editor,
What happens when a government tries to silence the generation that grew up with the world at its fingertips? On September 8, 2025, Nepal witnessed an extraordinary uprising, not led by political parties or veteran leaders, but by its youngest citizens. What began as outrage over a sweeping ban on more than two dozen social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, quickly grew into a nationwide movement against corruption, nepotism, and mis-governance.
Tens of thousands of Gen Z protesters flooded the streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dharan, Butwal, and beyond, chanting: “We are the movement. We will fight against corruption and nepotism.” Their demand went beyond just internet freedom, they called for accountability and dignity in governance. The Oli government defended the ban as a regulatory measure after platforms failed to register with authorities. But free speech advocates argue it was less about compliance and more about censorship. For Nepal’s digital generation, social media isn’t just a source of entertainment; it is a marketplace, a classroom, a forum for free thought, and often, their livelihood. By cutting it off, the government underestimated both their dependence on these platforms and their determination to defend them.
The protests were met with brutal repression. Security forces deployed water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. By nightfall, at least 19 young protesters had been killed and nearly 400 injured. Yet, despite the violence, demonstrators declared they would rather face bullets than return to silence.
Political consequences followed swiftly: the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and the formation of an inquiry committee. But the deeper challenge remains, the growing frustration of a generation betrayed by leaders who promise development but deliver corruption, nepotism, and dwindling opportunities. For Nepal’s youth, many of whom resist migrating abroad for low-paying jobs or uncertain futures, social media had become a space of livelihood and creative freedom. The government’s ban struck at the very heart of their autonomy. From the viral “nepo kids” campaign online to the slogans echoed on the streets, Gen Z has made it clear, this is not impulsive anger but a response to systemic injustice.
This movement is a powerful reminder that democracy cannot survive by silencing dissent. The courage of Nepal’s youth shows that in today’s world, connectivity is not just digital, it is deeply political.
The real question for Nepal, and for all of us, is this: will leaders continue to choose bullets and bans to suppress the voices of the young, or will they finally listen, before it’s too late?
Yours etc.,
Krish Marwein,
St. Joseph’s University,
Bangalore
The Recruitment Crisis in Meghalaya
Editor,
The desperation for employment among the youth of Meghalaya is a well known reality. While the government acknowledges this, its actions often fail to uphold the dignity of its young citizens. The announcement of new job vacancies is a moment of pride, but the true test of governance lies in the management of the recruitment process—a test the current system has profoundly failed. When advertisements for government posts were released, a sense of hope spread across Meghalaya’s 12 districts and 46 blocks. However, this hope quickly gave way to despair. The decision to make the application process entirely offline, with strict deadlines imposed on each region, created a logistical nightmare. The result was a disheartening spectacle: thousands of young men and women forced to stand in endless queues, pushing through crowds just to submit their forms. The human cost of this ordeal has been immense. For weeks, applicants have endured incredible hardship, many arriving as early as midnight to wait through cold and rainy nights. Forced to sleep on the ground simply to receive a token number the next morning, their sacrifice is a testament to their resolve.
As one youth tragically summarized, “A night without sleep, a day without sitting, just for the sake of our future.” It is heartbreaking to see such dedication demanded for the simple act of handing over a paper form. This chaotic situation raises serious questions of accountability. Who is responsible? Is it the government, the BSF authority conducting the recruitment, or the planners who issued the advertisement without foreseeing the consequences? Compounding the issue is the silence of the media, which seems to overlook the suffering of ordinary families when the story offers no political gain. The insistence on this outdated process is baffling in the digital era. Across India, recruitment has largely shifted online, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and ease of access. The BSF authority’s continued reliance on manual paperwork is an anachronism. Not demanding for a complex high-tech websites, just a simple solution, like a district-wise Google Form, could have prevented this humiliation and helped authorities manage the data far more effectively. What we are witnessing is a fundamental failure of management and accountability. In a developing country like India, the sight of young people sacrificing their health and safety on pavements just to apply for a job is an unacceptable injustice. The media’s silence on this matter only deepens the sense of neglect. This issue demands immediate attention. The voices of Meghalaya’s youth must be heard, and their struggles must be addressed now, not with future promises. It is imperative that the recruitment process is reformed to be fair, orderly, and respectful of the dignity of every applicant.
Yours etc.,
Ribait Phawa,
Via email