Prime Minister Balen Shah was once the first choice of Nepal’s Gen Z, today the same Gen Z youth have come out on the streets against him. These demonstrations are taking place against their government. The main demands of the protesters are resignation of the Prime Minister, stopping of forced evictions without rehabilitation plan, release of arrested youth and economic reforms for the youth.
This protest is being considered as the first major challenge for the government of Balen Shah, who himself came to power emerging from the 2025 Gen Z movement. Balen Shah, born in 1990, is a structural engineer and rapper. In 2022, he was elected Mayor of Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police Act 2023 was passed during his tenure as Mayor.
In 2025, Gen Z youth in Nepal asked the then Prime Minister K.P. There were massive protests against Sharma Oli’s government. Protests over issues of corruption, unemployment, restrictions on social media and bad governance turned violent. After these protests the Oli government fell. After this, in the 2026 general elections, Balen Shah’s party Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won an overwhelming majority. In March 2026, he became the youngest Prime Minister of Nepal.
Why did protests erupt again?
From April 2026, the Government of Nepal started an eviction campaign against landless people living in slums across the country. According to reports, more than 15,000 people have been evicted since April. Many of these families were shifted to temporary holding centers in Kathmandu. The Kirtipur Holding Center was flooded, forcing the evacuation of about 150 displaced people living there.
This further increased the anger among the people. Ganesh Nepali, a 25-year-old ride-sharing driver, committed suicide. It is alleged that the Municipal Police had locked his motorcycle. This incident sparked debate on the functioning of the municipal police. Hundreds of youth came out on the streets of Kathmandu in protest against this. The police charged the protesters with batons and arrested many. 26 people were arrested during a solidarity demonstration in Kosi province.
Outcry against Balen Shah
Forced eviction without any permanent rehabilitation plan is being described as inhumane. Displaced families are complaining about the poor conditions of the holding centres. Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police is accused of using force, baton charge and detention beyond their legal authority. Senior lawyers and former police officers say that the job of this police is only to provide administrative assistance and compromise, and not to use force.
Apart from this, the youth have been angry with unemployment, corruption and failure of governance for a long time. Balen Shah had promised change during the elections, but now the same youth are angry with him. Balen Shah came to power with the support of Gen Z youth, the same youth are now on the streets against him.
Main demands of the protesters
- Immediate resignation of Prime Minister Balen Shah
- Eviction without rehabilitation should be stopped immediately
- Displaced families should get permanent housing
- Release of arrested activists, students and journalists
- Employment for youth and economic reforms
Following the growing protests, Kathmandu’s Municipal Police has withdrawn from the streets. Legal experts have described the police action as legally baseless. Many leaders including Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa have demanded the release of the arrested people. Demonstrations continue on the streets of Kathmandu. Hundreds of youth are on the streets. Balen Shah’s government now faces the challenge of proving whether it will be able to live up to the expectations of the youth or not.
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