Gen Z at Helm: Safeguarding Democracy’s Fundamentals is Key

Nepal stands at a critical juncture. The nationwide protests led by Generation Z, fueled by frustration with political stagnation, economic mismanagement and unresponsive leadership, have brought the country to a state of crisis. As youth representatives now engage in dialogue to seek a peaceful resolution, it is crucial to recognize that any settlement must preserve the fundamental values of democracy. The alternative is not regression but progressive democracy—a governance model that strengthens democratic principles while embracing inclusivity, transparency and accountability. Nepal’s democratic journey has been long and arduous. After over a century of autocratic Rana rule, King Tribhuvan, in alliance with political leaders and public movements, established democracy in 1951. The Nepali Congress, formed during this period, led the early democratic movements, navigating cycles of instability, royal interventions and political setbacks. The years that followed the establishment of democracy in 1951 saw further turbulence. The democracy was hijacked by then King Mahendra in 1960 and a party-less Panchayat system was established, dissolving the democratically elected government. In the 1980s, popular discontent against the Panchayat system culminated in the 1990 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan), which ended the partyless Panchayat system and reinstated multi-party democracy. Later, in the 1996–2006 decade-long Maoist insurgency, the nation confronted the challenge of integrating armed struggle with democratic principles, eventually leading to the 2008 declaration of a federal democratic republic.