Nepal: Sushila Karki and the crown of thorns

Nepal’s Supreme Court’s former chief justice, Sushila Karki, took the oath as the country’s interim prime minister and is set to lead the government after anger over a bloody crackdown on protests ousted the incumbent prime minister, KP Sharma Oli.

The appointment of Karki as the nation’s first female PM is a pivotal moment that could either mend or unravel the threads of a constitutional order.

Karki, widely respected for her uncompromising stance against corruption, was nominated by Gen Z protesters as a symbol of accountability. Their movement—sparked by outrage over systemic graft and a government-imposed social media ban—drew thousands to the streets, demanding real change.

What began as peaceful demonstrations swelled into deadly chaos: parliament was stormed, key institutions were vandalised, a death toll climbed to 72, and thousands of prisoners broke free from jails across Nepal. Curfews were clamped down on Kathmandu, and the army was patrolling streets. Karki, a former chief justice known for her steely integrity, steps into this maelstrom.

Karki’s ascension represents a rare opportunity for Nepal to recalibrate its democracy around accountability and inclusion. Her new cabinet will face many challenges, like restoring rule and order, reconstructing the destroyed infrastructure and reassuring Gen Z, who are frustrated with old leaders and want real change in the country. Much infrastructure, including police posts and buildings, has been destroyed in the protest. Now comes the even harder task: to help rebuild what was broken. “This requires a lot of effort in restoring structures,” said AIG Dan Bahadur Karki, Chief of Kathmandu Valley of Nepal police. If navigated wisely, this could fortify Nepal’s young republic; if not, it risks plunging the nation back into authoritarian shadows.

The immediate wreckage is stark: parliament’s halls, once symbols of multiparty rebirth, are now destroyed. Other vital infrastructures lie in ruins. Law and order hangs by a thread, with many prisoners at large and sporadic violence flaring. Yet beneath the rubble lies a deeper malaise. Nepal’s democracy, enshrined in a 2015 constitution after years of monarchy and civil war, has been eroded by endemic corruption. Politicians’ kin enjoy lavishness while the average Nepali grapples with poverty and climate woes.

This unrest, though, is no random flare-up. It is the voice of youth who have grown up in the republic’s promise but inherited its failures. Social media amplified their anger: videos of privilege clashing with penury and hashtags decrying “nepo-babies” in power. They want not just jobs but justice and an end to corruption. For many elders, however, the fear is palpable: that this youthful rage could derail the constitutional order altogether, inviting military meddling or ethnic fractures in a nation.

Corruption runs deep—look at the 2017 Airbus scandal, where Nepal Airlines lost $10.4 million in dodgy deals, and those responsible got off lightly. Youth unemployment is around 20 per cent, pushing thousands of youths to work abroad as migrants, their earnings making up a third of GDP while politicians’ kids show off luxury on TikTok.

The new cabinet must prioritise a restoration, starting with law and order that honours rather than crushes the protesters’ spirit. Drawing on her judicial experience, she could fast-track impartial probes into the violence, holding both looters and corrupt officials accountable. Reconstructing parliament and damaged sites demands transparency to rebuild faith in governance. Funds could flow from donors eager to stabilise the nation but only if tied to anti-corruption milestones.

Another crucial challenge is reassuring Gen Z, who wants real change in the nation. Dialogue platforms should invite their input on reforms: electoral quotas for youth, anti-nepotism laws, and education investments to stem brain drain. For the fearful masses, constitutional safeguards must be reaffirmed. Job creation in the country to weave prosperity into stability should also be highly prioritised by this government.

This approach isn’t without hurdles; implementation requires coalition-building in a fractious assembly. Yet it’s feasible if Karki leverages her neutrality. International partners, from the US to China, should support without strings, aiding reconstruction while respecting sovereignty.

Critics might argue Karki’s interim role limits her clout. External meddlers, too, could exploit the vacuum, with China’s Belt and Road ambitions tilting the scales. And if protests reignite, her government’s heavy hand could alienate more, deepening divides.

Yet the path forward gleams with possibility. Nepal’s first female prime minister stands at a crossroads where history whispers of resilience. Let Karki’s tenure not be a mere interlude but the forge of an enduring democracy—one that honours the unrest’s fire without being consumed by it.

The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.