#Nepal# Nepal violence# Nepal Army# KP Sharma Oli# Arson# Protest# Nepal Arson# Sushila Karki
IBNS-CMEDIA: In a dramatic turn in Nepal’s political crisis, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been chosen as the representative of the Gen Z protest movement for negotiations with the Army on government formation, media reports said.
The decision came late Wednesday after a six-hour meeting among protest leaders.
The youth-led demonstrations, which have swept across Nepal in recent days, are demanding sweeping political changes, including:
- Immediate arrest and action against the then Prime Minister, Home Minister, and officials accused of ordering mass killings during the unrest.
- A new constitution with a provision limiting anyone from serving as Prime Minister for more than two terms.
- Cancellation of politically influenced appointments in constitutional bodies such as the CIAA (Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority) and the judiciary.
- Merit-based appointments across government institutions.
Who is Sushila Karki?
Sushila Karki, 71, made history as Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice. Known for her zero-tolerance stance on corruption, she is widely respected in legal and civil society circles.
She completed her BA at Mahendra Morang Campus and an MA in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University before earning a law degree at Tribhuvan University.
Initially a lecturer, she shifted to a career in law, rising to become a senior advocate before her appointment as Chief Justice in July 2016.
During her tenure, she presided over high-profile anti-corruption cases, including the conviction of former Information Minister Jaiprakash Prasad Gupta and a landmark ruling against Lokman Singh Karki, the former chief of the CIAA.
In 2017, she faced an impeachment motion brought by the Maoist-led government, widely viewed as politically motivated. The attempt was withdrawn after intense public backlash.
A voice for the movement
Karki has recently spoken out in support of the protests, calling Nepal’s current leadership outdated and out of touch.
“This government should step down… These leaders are out of date. They have no vision, no education. Maybe they have certificates, but they do not seem educated,” she told NDTV in an interview.
She condemned the killings of demonstrators during the unrest.
“I am supporting this movement from today. Not yesterday, but today. Because these people killed our children. See, 19 people are dead. What is the condition of their mothers and fathers?” she said.
What next?
Karki’s selection to represent the Gen Z protesters underscores both the moral authority she commands and the seriousness of the youth movement’s demands. The Army, now central to restoring order after Prime Minister Oli’s resignation, will be under pressure to respond credibly as negotiations proceed.
Observers say the talks could mark a defining moment in Nepal’s democratic transition, determining whether the current upheaval leads to reform or deeper instability.
Nepal unrest
The violence in Nepal’s Kathmandu continued on Wednesday as angry Gen Z continued to protest against unemployment, brain drain, and poor governance, with dramatic visuals emerging of ministers and their families clinging to army helicopter rescue slings as mobs torched buildings and attacked politicians’ residences across Kathmandu.
