KATHMANDU, Sept 9: House of Representatives (HoR) member from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), Parbati BK, has called for an investigation into the events that unfolded during the Gen Z Movement, questioning who “hijacked” the protest and why it turned violent.
Speaking at a meeting of the HoR on Wednesday, BK said the initial protest was a genuine movement led by Gen Z youths who took to the streets with modest and legitimate demands. However, she said the movement took a dramatically different turn the following day.
“The September 8 Gen Z movement was genuinely a movement of Gen Z youths. They had taken to the streets with small demands,” she said. “But on September 9, the movement was hijacked. Structures built over decades were destroyed, numerous public infrastructures were damaged, and the lives of many people were affected.”
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BK said the events of September 9 not only caused widespread destruction but also left the movement itself in a difficult and painful situation. She said protecting the gains achieved through the movement and ensuring that the government formed in its aftermath safeguards those gains have emerged as major challenges.
She also expressed serious concern over the attempted self-immolation of Gangalaxmi Devi Basnet on the occasion of Gen Z Martyrs’ Day on Tuesday. She said it was deeply troubling that victims and those injured during the movement were still awaiting justice and treatment.
“Why was an environment created in which people are being pushed to the point of attempting suicide? Why have the injured not received treatment? Why have the dreams of the martyrs not been fulfilled?” BK questioned.
She called for an impartial investigation into those responsible for the arson and vandalism at Singha Durbar and other structures on September 9. BK said the truth must be brought to light, particularly when even groups involved in the movement have said they cannot take responsibility for the events of that day.
BK also criticised the government for failing to make public a report prepared by the National Human Rights Commission on the incidents.
“The Human Rights Commission has submitted a report. It has been shelved and kept hidden. It has not been made public,” she said. “This is not the time to shelve the report; it is time to implement its recommendations.”
