This week’s anti-graft protests in Nepal, which left 19 people dead, were organized by the group Gen Z Nepal, a movement supported by over half of the country’s 30 million residents under 30, though often led by prime ministers twice their age. Former Supreme Court judge and constitutional expert Balaram K.C. suggested that Kathmandu Mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah should represent Gen Z in talks with President Ram Chandra Poudel to plan the country’s next steps. Shah has not provided a detailed response, and Reuters could not reach him as his phone was switched off, while his office declined interview requests.
An independent candidate, Shah won the 2022 mayoral election, defying Nepal’s traditional party system and emerging as a symbol of political disruption. His 2020 rap track “Balidan” has over 11 million YouTube views, criticizing corruption, social injustice, and governance failures. With over 800,000 Instagram followers, Shah has voiced support for the protesters, calling former PM Oli a “terrorist” detached from public suffering.
A draft policy by Gen Z Nepal names Shah as a potential youth representative on a Neutral Interim Authority Council, alongside technocrats and civil society leaders, to restore law and order and guide Nepal toward elections in roughly 18 months. Shah explained he did not join the protests, as most participants were under 26, but emphasized the importance of listening to them.
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