The unrest has been triggered by the scrapping of student unions, a controversial customs duty on goods from India, and growing demands for Home Minister Sudan Gurung’s resignation over alleged financial irregularities.
Public anger is mounting in Nepal against the government led by Kathmandu Mayor-turned-national leader Balen Shah, less than a month after it assumed office with a two-thirds majority. Protests have spread from the streets to the country’s administrative nerve centre, Singha Durbar, with demonstrators including students, political groups and ordinary citizens taking to the streets across Kathmandu and other cities.
One of the key triggers for the protests is the government’s decision to impose a mandatory customs duty on goods worth over Rs 100 brought in from India.
Residents in border areas say the move directly affects their daily lives, as they rely heavily on cross-border purchases for essential items. Protesters argue the policy imposes an unnecessary financial burden on ordinary citizens and fails to account for ground realities in these regions.
STUDENT UNION ROW SPARKS YOUTH BACKLASH
Another major source of anger is the government’s alleged move to reject or sideline student unions affiliated with political groups.
Student leaders have accused the government of adopting a “repressive approach” instead of engaging in dialogue, fuelling resentment among the youth. Thousands of students have joined protests nationwide, with many demonstrations led by school and college groups.
In a striking visual, large numbers of students have been seen protesting in school uniforms, holding placards and raising slogans against government decisions – signalling that the agitation has expanded beyond political circles into broader society.
CALLS GROW FOR HOME MINISTER’S RESIGNATION
The protests have also centred on allegations against Home Minister Sudan Gurung, who is facing accusations of possessing disproportionate assets and engaging in questionable financial dealings.
Demonstrators and opposition groups claim Gurung was involved in suspicious business transactions, including alleged links to individuals accused in financial crimes. Media reports in Nepal have cited documents suggesting investments and shareholdings tied to controversial entities, further intensifying demands for his resignation on moral grounds.
Political parties and civil society groups have continued to stage demonstrations over the issue, making it a key focal point of the ongoing unrest.
BALEN SHAH GOVT UNDER PRESSURE
With protests growing in scale and intensity, the Balen Shah government faces mounting pressure to respond to multiple fronts: economic policy concerns, student unrest, and allegations of impropriety within its ranks.
What began as discontent over policy decisions has now evolved into a broader political challenge, with opposition voices growing louder both on the streets and within Nepal’s political landscape.
