Nepal is witnessing perhaps the biggest civic movement in its political history with youths leading the protests, vandalising the residences of the PM, President and ministers seeking an overhaul of the entire political system of the country. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has put in his resignation and the President has accepted the same paving for the formation of a new government in Nepal.
The protests, which began as an agitation against the Nepal government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X, turned into a mass civic movement. Angry at alleged huge corruption, the youths marched to parliament and even torched the Supreme Court. At least 20 died while over 200 were left injured in the protests.
Amid the demonstration, a name is making headlines with protesters seemingly backing him to take charge as interim PM, till elections are held. The leaders are trying to find a neutral leader to calm the tensions and Kathmandu mayor, Balendra Shah appears to be leading the charts.
Who is Balendra Shah? Rapper-turned politician to lead Nepal
Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah is the mayor of Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. He has studied engineering, went to the music industry as a rapper, got elected as a mayor – and has become a personality praised by many including the protesting youth of Nepal.
Like many rising musicians and rappers, Balen wrote in a fierce manner making him popular among Nepalis. While his rap made it to every home in the country, Balen continued to study civil and structural engineering . This built his personality as both a cultural and intellectual figure.
Entry in politics
It was in 2022 when Balen’s popularity and activism led him to Nepal politics as an independent candidate. No affiliation to any political party made him a household name. Moreover, his campaigns on basic issues like garbage collection, traffic chaos, illegal construction, and urban mismanagement charted the path to his victory in Kathmandu mayoral polls.
He stunned the veteran politicians and parties with his victory. But it didn’t stop here. Reports say he worked in unconventional methods.
As a mayor, he would live-stream the meetings, raze illegal structures and directly challenge officials. His actions spoke the language of frustrated Nepalis who wanted to get rid of corruption which had seeped into the system.
The Gen-Z protest
As young as teenagers marched on the Nepal streets protesting against the government’s ban on social media platforms. The agitation intensified and those tired with alleged corruption joined in suddenly flaring up the entire movement. At this time, Balen Shah openly backed the youngsters.
“My full sympathy is with the youth,” he wrote in a Facebook post and urged politicians not to take part in the agitation for personal or party gains.
With all out support but no politics on the protests, Balen Shah has projected himself as the leader to fill the vacuum that is existing in Nepal as of now after PM Oli’s resignation. The protesters meanwhile continue to burn offices, tv stations and the Army has appealed to them to calm down.
Reports say the Army may take control of the administration tentatively.