Opinion | Choreography of chaos, mediocrity of middle class
Summary
A narrative of political unrest in Nepal highlights a violent protest turning into coordinated chaos and subsequent authoritarian governance shaped by power dynamics and middle-class conformity.
Key Points
- The initial violent protest on September 8, 2025, led to the death of 19 young protesters due to panic-induced firing by security personnel.
- Subsequent days saw coordinated mayhem with over five dozen deaths, arson at key state institutions, and failure of police and fire services.
- The Nepal Army played a decisive role in regime change, facilitating a new prime minister's appointment under extra-constitutional conditions.
- The article critiques the Shah regime's approach of meritocracy and governance, highlighting the mediocrity of the middle class and the effects of state capture.
- It draws parallels with past authoritarian tactics and warns of the potential negative consequences of current political maneuvers.
