Gen Z Martyrs Day: One year on, a test of the movement's demands
Summary
Nepal is observing Gen Z Martyrs Day a year after youth-led protests toppled the government and put corruption, accountability and jobs at the center of politics. The anniversary has renewed scrutiny of whether the promised reforms and opportunities have materialized.
Key Points
- Gen Z Martyrs Day is being marked as a public holiday in memory of those killed during last year’s youth-led protests.
- The movement began as opposition to social media restrictions and widened into a challenge against corruption, nepotism, unemployment, inequality and poor accountability.
- The protests triggered a political upheaval, leading to a transitional administration and later an election won by the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
- The current government says it has cut ministries, expanded digital public services and removed party-affiliated unions from offices and universities.
