In a surprising turn of events in Nepal, the nation's first female Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, has been tapped by youth-led protestors to potentially lead an interim government This development comes after days of intense and violent demonstrations that led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and pushed the country into a state of political uncertainty.
The unrest, now widely known as the "Gen-Z protests," was initially triggered by a government ban on popular social media platforms.However, the social media ban was just the tipping point. For a long time, frustrations have been simmering among the country's youth over deep-seated issues like widespread corruption, nepotism, and a lack of opportunities, with youth unemployment nearing 20%.
What started as online dissent quickly spilled onto the streets of Kathmandu and other cities, culminating in massive protests The situation escalated dramatically, leading to clashes with security forces, dozens of deaths, and hundreds of injuries. In their anger, demonstrators targeted government buildings, setting the parliament complex on fire and attacking the residences of several politicians. Faced with unprecedented pressure, Prime Minister Oli stepped down.
In the power vacuum that followed, the young protesters, who have been the driving force of this movement, organized a virtual meeting to choose a new leader.In that meeting, Sushila Karki, a respected figure known for her firm stance against corruption, emerged as the preferred choice to head an interim government, even gaining more support than other popular figures like Kathmandu's mayor, Balen Shah.Reports confirm that Karki has accepted the request to take on this challenging role.
Born in 1952, Sushila Karki has a long and distinguished career in law. She made history in 2016 when she was appointed as the first female Chief Justice of Nepal's Supreme CourtDuring her tenure, she earned a reputation as a fearless judge, notably convicting a sitting minister on corruption charges.Her educational journey also has a connection to India, as she earned a master's degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The protesters see her as a symbol of integrity, a quality they feel has been missing in the country's leadership.
As Nepal navigates this critical juncture, with the army deployed and a curfew in place, the path forward remains complex. The rise of Sushila Karki represents a potential new chapter for the nation, one demanded by a younger generation that has clearly shown it is ready to fight for change
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