Activists of Nepal’s Gen Z movement have interpreted the youth protests in India as a broad demand for accountability and good governance. As demonstrations led by the Cockroach Janata Party began in the Indian capital, Delhi, and spread across various states, participants in last year’s Gen Z movement in Nepal closely observed these protests. They noted that these demonstrations are proceeding peacefully and emphasized that the Indian government must not let the situation deteriorate further. Instead, it should engage with the protesters and address their legitimate demands through dialogue.
Many have remarked that the ongoing protests in India recall Nepal’s Gen Z movement of last year’s Bhadra month, while a commentator cautioned that political awareness differs between Indian and Nepali youths and advised Nepalese youth against unnecessary involvement in protests in other countries. Discussing Nepal’s Gen Z response, Rakkha Bam, coordinator of the Nepal Gen Z Front, told BBC that she believes Indian youth are also expressing their “share of rebellion” in the quest for change. She said, “The leakage of the NEET question papers ultimately relates to demands for good governance. There is a perceptible rise in authoritarian tendencies in our neighborhood. These youths have taken to the streets to assert their rights. Our generation is manifesting its share of rebellion in India as well.”
She indicated that the demands of the young protesters are relatively modest but cautioned against expecting the movement to end quickly. Highlighting India as the world’s largest democracy, she expressed dissatisfaction over reports of police baton charges against peaceful demonstrators. In Delhi, youths had announced a march from Jantar Mantar to the Parliament building, and thousands participating in the protests faced tear gas and baton charges by security forces. Viewing images and video footage from the protest sites reminded her of the movement last year and the unrest that followed.
