KATHMANDU, Sept 10: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane's address in the House of Representatives on Wednesday has sparked debate after he made no mention of the Generation Z movement that many credit with creating the political conditions for his party's rise.
Addressing Parliament, Lamichhane said he stood before lawmakers with "great courage and a heavy heart" and focused largely on the country's recent disaster crisis, climate justice, rescue and relief efforts, and the need to strengthen state institutions.
His remarks came a day after the government observed Gen Z Day with a public holiday, commemorating the movement that reshaped Nepal's political landscape a year ago.
Despite expectations that he would acknowledge the role of the youth-led movement, Lamichhane's speech did not refer to Gen Z protesters, their demands, or the political changes that followed the movement.
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Political observers and some Gen Z activists had expected the RSP leader to recognize the contribution of young protesters, whose calls for good governance, accountability, anti-corruption measures and political reform helped fuel public dissatisfaction with traditional parties and contributed to the emergence of new political forces.
Instead, Lamichhane devoted much of his address to climate-related issues. He argued that the suffering caused by recent disasters should be viewed not only as a consequence of natural events but also as a result of "climate injustice." He urged the government to strengthen international diplomacy on climate justice, conduct scientific studies and prepare formal claims for loss and damage compensation.
While the issues raised by Lamichhane were widely regarded as important, particularly in the wake of the devastating Aug. 26 floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, his omission of the Gen Z movement has drawn attention.
The RSP emerged as the largest party in Parliament following a political shift widely associated with the momentum created by the youth-led movement. As a result, some supporters had anticipated that Lamichhane would use the parliamentary platform to acknowledge the generation that helped bring about that change and to connect its demands with the party's governing agenda.
Questions have also been raised about why the RSP leader did not address key issues championed by Gen Z activists, including corruption, transparency, institutional reform, generational change in politics and greater accountability in governance.
In his address, Lamichhane emphasized the need to strengthen institutions such as security agencies and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), arguing that lessons from past disasters must be preserved and institutionalized.
Critics, however, argue that the same principle should apply to political movements that have shaped the country's recent history. They contend that the Gen Z movement represented more than a demand for a change in government; it reflected broader calls for reforms in political culture and state accountability.
The omission has become more significant amid growing dissatisfaction among some participants in the Gen Z movement, who argue that the expectations that drove the protests have yet to be fully addressed.
Lamichhane has not publicly explained why the movement was absent from his speech. Political analysts say the omission may have been influenced by the immediate focus on disaster recovery and climate-related concerns. Nevertheless, they note that the silence has raised questions about how the RSP intends to engage with the political aspirations that helped propel it to power.
As debate continues, the episode has renewed discussion about whether the party will incorporate the agenda of the Gen Z movement into its long-term governance priorities or treat it primarily as a catalyst for electoral change.
