Nepal limps back to normalcy after massive protests toppled government : NPR
Nepal was shaken last week after massive anti-corruption demonstrations reversed the government. NPR speaks to residents of what comes after after the uprisings.
Michel Martin, host:
Nepal has a new Prime Minister after massive anti-corruption demonstrations are launched and shaped by social media overthrew the government last week. Sushila Karki, sixty-three, is the first woman to serve as Prime Minister. She has promised to work for young people of the Z generation who led the demonstration. Reports Omkar Khandekar of NPR.
Omkar Khandekar, byline: When Sushila Karki was sworn in as an acting chief in Nepal on Friday, the supporters challenged the curfew to celebrate in the streets.
Unidentified person: (sing in non -English language).
Khandekar: Karki is a former chief judge known for disputed the corrupt and the elite. Before she was selected as Prime Minister, she obtained the most votes in a survey on the Discord chat application, organized by a young youth defense group. It was a few days after the crowds set fire to government buildings and assaulted political leaders at their home.
Unidentified group: (shouting in non -English language).
Khinkekar: The demonstrations were launched by Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli blocking social media sites like YouTube and Instagram, where videos of nepo politicians displaying their wealth became viral. While violence spread across the country, Oli resigned and the parliament was dissolved. Nepal is now drinking normality. Young people are back, but this time, they help monitor traffic and clean.
(Soundbite of shovel scratching)
Khandekar: In a local hospital, Ishwor Régi distributes noodles and juice boxes to the injured. He says that the young people of Gen Z like him were tired of the corruption of the state and the lack of jobs. He blamed the traditional parties that have formed more than a dozen governments in the past two decades.
Ishwor Régmi: We had been there to fold them out of the root level. Our main motto was that.
Khandekar: Nepal should hold elections early next year. Ashish Pradhan of the International Think Tank Crisis Group says that there are upcoming challenges for the interim government, but the demonstrations have sent a message.
Ashish Pradhan: When Nepal leaders lose contact with the population, you know, you see the streets as the place can take their grievances.
Khandekar: Omkar Khandekar, NPR News, Katmandu.
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