By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Reports indicate a tragic event unfolded in Baneshwar where police opened fire on a Gen Z protest. The demonstrations, focused on concerns over social media limitations and governmental corruption, were met with aggressive force. Tragically, the police response resulted in 14 fatalities. Authorities employed live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the protesters.
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14 deaths with dozens injured after Gen Z protest over corruption in Nepal. They shot an innocent student in school uniform too. The news is just devastating, isn’t it? It’s hard to even process the scale of the tragedy unfolding in Nepal right now. A protest, initially peaceful, has turned into a bloodbath, leaving 14 dead, including minors, and dozens more injured. The sheer brutality of the government’s response is shocking, especially when considering the demonstrators were primarily young people, Gen Z, standing up for what they believe in.
The initial spark, as I understand it, was a ban on 26 social media platforms. But let’s be clear, the underlying cause of the protest wasn’t just about social media censorship. The core issue driving these young people to the streets was the deep-seated, pervasive corruption that’s been plaguing Nepal for far too long. They’re fed up with seeing their leaders flaunt their wealth and luxury while so many Nepalese struggle to survive. They’re tired of the inequality and the feeling that their voices are being silenced. This outrage isn’t new, but the social media ban was just the catalyst.
That said, there is also the story about the tragic death of a student in school uniform. I can’t even imagine the horror of that scene, the injustice of a young life cut short, likely by a government that should be protecting them. It’s a stark reminder of the extreme measures being used to quell the protests.
Reports indicate that authorities responded with extreme force, with more than 50 seriously injured and 200+ others injured. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and chaos is spreading. The world needs to see this. The narrative, however, is already being twisted. Some mainstream media outlets are trying to portray the protests as solely about the social media ban. They are trying to downplay the central issue of corruption that fueled the outcry. This is an attempt to change the focus and dilute the core message, and it is deeply disingenuous.
The corruption allegations against Nepal’s leaders are staggering. The protesters are upset with ministers and their families’ affluent lifestyles. Almost all of the past prime ministers and ministers face accusations of embezzling huge amounts of money intended for development. Yet, accountability has been elusive. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the population lives in poverty. This stark contrast between the wealth of the elite and the struggles of ordinary citizens is a recipe for social unrest. Seeing politicians openly displaying their lavish lifestyles, which they can’t legitimately afford, while their taxes fund these luxurious trips and designer brands, is clearly insulting.
I understand the urgency to get this story out, to spread awareness. Social media platforms are being banned in the country, making it even harder to disseminate information to the outside world. It’s a clear attempt to control the narrative and suppress dissent. The lack of accountability and the government’s actions seem to be making matters worse.
Sadly, it also seems as if some are already predicting that, as with many conflicts, this will fade from the headlines. While the rest of the world moves on, the people of Nepal will continue to suffer from the effects of this violence and their corrupt government. The young people are courageous, willing to fight for what’s right.
It seems like the government’s tactics include not just violence, but also a disinformation campaign. The current government is like a coalition of the Congress and BJP. But the protests are targeting all three of the major parties and the old politicians. Those in power don’t want to address issues – they prefer to use the easiest means of dealing with a situation and use fear to make it “go away.” Sadly, the world has seen the end result of this action.