The new generation, raised in today's information technology age, is not as gullible as the previous generation. This generation, filled with global awareness and digital literacy, views politics more in terms of outcomes than emotions.
There is a very famous proverb in Nepali politics, or rather society, ‘Jun Jogi Aaye Peen Kanai Chireko.’ This is not just a proverb, but also a bitter political reality that Nepali citizens have been experiencing for seven decades. We have revolutionized, changed the system, changed the constitution, and changed the characters in power countless times.
However, the basic trend that should have brought about a change in the standard of living of the citizens is still the same. Therefore, the pressing need today is not only to change the face of power, but to radically transform the governing trend.
Nepal's modern history has become like a laboratory for political experiments. The democracy of 2007, the people's movement of 2046, and the historical change of 2062/63 turned the country's governing structure upside down.
It is true that the 10-year armed conflict and the subsequent establishment of the Federal Democratic Republic have ushered Nepal into a new era. However, the irony is that in each political turn, the characters have changed, but the 'governmental trend' has not changed. The style of 'hukum' and 'chakari' practiced by the Ranas of yesterday has also been transferred to democratic leaders. The system has changed, but the feudal mentality of considering the people as subjects has continued to live on. The power that emerged from the palace reached the rooms of the Singha Durbar, but it could not reach the doorsteps of the citizens.
The public outcry on the streets on 23 and 24 Bhadra against this trend was not just an ordinary demonstration. It was a major civil uprising against corruption, misrule, and party syndicates that have been entrenched for years. The Gen-G and citizens who took to the streets in Bhadra were not just raising slogans to bring a particular party to power or to remove someone from office. They attacked the entrenched politics, nepotism, and impunity of the establishment that had been ingrained for years.
The movement on 23 and 24 Bhadra gave a clear message – Nepali citizens will no longer be mere spectators. This movement has warned the leadership that politics today must be free from the mindset of ‘whatever you do, it will work’. Real change is not a change of office, but rather honesty in addressing these legitimate demands raised on the streets and in the way they work.
The new generation, raised in today’s information technology era, is not one to forget the promises made by the previous generation. This generation, full of global awareness and digital literacy, views politics more in terms of results than emotions. The change that Gen-G youth, who were at the forefront of the Bhadau movement, are seeking is not just a change in ‘character’.
They want a system where merit is valued, where there is no need to stand in line to go to the hospital and where there is no need to suffer while going to get a passport. This generation does not want politics to be just a matter of speech, they are looking for accuracy in service delivery. If the state does not change its course, all the youth here will either leave the country or choose a new path of rebellion. At that time, peace and prosperity will be limited to dreams only.
There is a fatal illusion in our country that a change in government is considered change. The success of democracy is not just the removal of one face and the coming of another face to power. Change in the true sense occurs when there is an improvement in the methods, style and conduct of running the state. Even now, those who talk big about good governance while out of power get entangled in the same nepotism, favoritism, and conflict of interests as soon as they come to power. Unless those in power develop the tendency to consider themselves ‘servants’ rather than ‘rulers’ and make the organs of the state transparent, there is no point in changing the character. The leadership must understand that the people are no longer evaluating them by their actions and behavior, not their words.
Now, everyone’s attention is focused on the upcoming elections on 21 Falgun and the political direction that follows. The only way to address the public anger expressed by the protests on 23 and 24 Bhadau and the desires of the new generation is a tangible change after the upcoming elections.
There are two options for the leadership that comes after this election, either to continue the old trend of ‘partitioning’ and ‘misgovernance’, or to choose the path of trend change demanded by the Bhadau protests. If the government after 21 Falgun fails to provide good governance in the true sense, then even the remaining trust in the people may be shaken. The current leadership must not repeat the mistakes of yesterday and uphold the rule of law.
In conclusion, change is a continuous process. Changing characters is just a natural political development, but changing trends is a historical achievement. We have changed characters and systems a lot, now our fight should be against bad culture and wrong working style.
Change should not only be reflected in the change of the person holding the reins of power, but in the justice, equality and good governance that the citizens feel. Characters come and go, but only a good system and a spotless trend can lead the country to the path of prosperity. The leadership that comes after Falgun 21 should reflect on this, the people now want not only new faces, but also new cultures and a new trend of service.
