KATHMANDU, Sept 8: Ujyalo Nepal Party chair Kulman Ghising has said the government must take seriously the core demands raised by the Gen Z movement and the mandate given by the people.
Ghising made the statement as the movement marked its first anniversary. Gen Z youths had taken to the streets on September 8 and 9 last year, demanding that the government lift its ban on social media, ensure good governance, end corruption and guarantee meaningful youth representation in every state institution.
Paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the movement, Ghising wished a speedy recovery to those injured, disabled and suffering physical and psychological trauma.
He said the Gen Z movement was not merely a campaign to change the government but the voice of a generation demanding changes in political culture and the style of governance, good governance, accountability, corruption free government and dignified participation of young people.
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According to Ghising, the government formed after the movement did an important job by holding elections to the House of Representatives on March 5 and returning the country’s politics to the democratic process. However, he said the government that received nearly a two thirds mandate has yet to deliver results at the level expected by the movement.
“Although some positive efforts have been made in the area of good governance, the fundamental questions raised by the movement remain unanswered,” he said.
Ghising said efforts to make the Constitution, governance system and state institutions more citizen friendly have not moved at the expected pace. The same applies to enforcing a zero tolerance policy against corruption, making the economy production oriented and creating jobs, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and building the foundations for prosperity through infrastructure development and strengthening.
“Speeches, announcements and political slogans are no longer enough. The bloodshed, lives lost and voices raised by the Gen Z generation on the streets must be honoured through results,” Ghising said.
He said the change demanded by the people was not simply a change in who governs, but a change in the political culture, system and working style of those in power.
Marking the first anniversary of the Gen Z movement, Ghising said the Ujyalo Nepal Party had urged the government to take the movement’s core demands and the people’s mandate seriously. He said the party would continue to question, monitor and scrutinize government decisions and actions, while creating constructive pressure whenever necessary.
Ghising said the Ujyalo Nepal Party would remain firmly committed to building a new Nepal based on good governance, prosperity, social justice and equal access to opportunities.
“The sacrifice of the Gen Z movement must not become merely a chapter in history. Its mandate must guide the way the state is governed,” he said.
