As Nepal stands at a pivotal crossroads, the seismic events of September 8 and 9 will undoubtedly shape the country’s future, hopefully leading toward a brighter path. Our modern journey has traversed three centuries of history marked by militocracy and autocracy, culminating in the establishment of democracy in 1950, led by B.P. Koirala and his comrades. For more details on this evolutionary process, please refer to the link to the associated article (Nepal’s Historical Cycle: Three Centuries of Disintegration, Integration, & Disintegration [Part 2], April 27, 2025).
What I humbly propose, especially to the Gen-Z generation and the new government, is to visit the Sundarijal Jail to draw inspiration from the freedom fighters whose immense sacrifices have laid the foundation for our democratic framework and liberty that the country is trying so hard to reshape. (The Sundarijal legacy is described at the end of this piece.)
The new government, formed in the wake of the Gen-Z uprising under the leadership of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, confronts a monumental array of challenges. However, there is a glimmer of hope with the appointment of three respected personalities: Kulman Ghising, a celebrated engineer recognized for his efforts to reduce power outages; Rameshwar Khanal, an experienced bureaucrat known for his integrity and resignation from the high-profile arena; and a young legal scholar, Om Prakash Aryal.
The primary duty of this team is to conduct elections while swiftly addressing three critical issues through high-level investigations. These include the September 8 killings of Gen-Z youths (resulting in 72 fatalities and many injuries), the uprising that compelled a complacent government—formed collusively—to retreat and resign, and the widespread devastation of governmental infrastructure alongside the looting and burning of private properties on September 9. Also, significant mismanagement and corruption charges, previously suppressed, have now come to light, manifesting visibly on the streets and in courtyards across Kathmandu in the form of cash showers and millions of charred stacks of money found in politicians’ houses. The question remains whether the second and third-tier leaders, who have emerged in remorse to support Gen-Z’s ideals, will find the courage to overcome their fear and rise up themselves to persuade the leadership they find objectionable to step aside.
These vivid images—whether it’s a Prime Minister’s motorcade passing by the self-immolating businessman Prem Prasad Acharya (January 2023), a minister fleeing the scene after hitting a young schoolgirl named Usha Magar (September 6, 2025)—the flashpoint for the ensuing Gen-Z-inspired uprising on the 8th, or dollars raining in the streets—should provide a contextual framework for understanding the political dysfunction the country faces today. The hit-and-run incident and the flashpoint involving the schoolgirl echoed decades of frustration, reminiscent of the Tunisian incident that sparked their 28-day Jasmine Revolution following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on December 17, 2010.
We await the next move by our political leaders as a sign of their learning from these events. What I am sure of, however, is that the founders of our democracy—B.P. Koirala, KP Bhattarai, Ganesh Man Singh, Subarna Shamsher, Manmohan Adhikari, Pushpa Lal Shrestha, and many others—never envisioned a day like this.
In times of crisis, the Nepali people often turn to temples, seeking strength and blessings from the countless shrines scattered throughout the country. The new government should do the same by reflecting on the ideals espoused by the founders and freedom fighters of 1950.
Therefore, I recommend they visit Sundarijal Jail (B.P. Museum), a significant site that symbolizes the struggles our country has endured. This reflection is crucial, serving as a testament to the fight against the autocratic regime that persisted for years. The founding fathers of our democracy, including B.P. Koirala, made immense sacrifices that paved the way for our political freedom.
In these challenging times, it is essential for our leaders to remember the lessons of the past as they guide the nation from the ashes of crisis. Only through thoughtful introspection and acknowledgment of our history can we forge a brighter future. This is especially relevant for the Gen-Z generation, whose thoughtfulness today will pave a better road for Gen-Alpha.
