Miraj Dhungana Led Gen Z Protest at Maitighar Demanding PM Sushila Karki’s Resignation

Youth activists led by Gen Z campaigner Miraj Dhungana staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala on Monday, demanding the immediate resignation of Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The demonstrators, representing various youth coalitions, accused the interim administration of failing to uphold the mandate of the September uprising and neglecting the needs of those injured during the previous months’ civil unrest. Police moved quickly to disperse the gathering, citing a lack of formal administrative permission for the event.

The protesters chanted slogans calling for the formation of an all-party consensus government and the fulfillment of the “Gen Z Manifesto,” which includes significant judicial and electoral reforms. Many participants carried placards stating that their movement was for good governance rather than just upcoming elections. The demonstration caused significant traffic congestion across the Maitighar, Thapathali, and Babar Mahal areas, prompting a heavy deployment of security personnel to clear the main thoroughfares.

Several activists, including Dr. Nicholas Bhusal and Rabi Kiran Hamal, were taken into police custody during the intervention. Local authorities stated that the group had approached the District Administration Office for permission only hours before the planned start time, leaving insufficient time for security assessments. Following the denial of their request, the organizers proceeded with the rally, leading to the subsequent police action and the removal of demonstrators from the site.

The unrest follows a growing divide within the youth movement after a 10-point agreement was signed between the government and some Gen Z leaders on December 10. While the government officially recognized the September protests as a historic “People’s Movement,” factions led by Dhungana and Bhusal have rejected the accord, claiming it does not capture the true spirit of their demands. They have specifically criticized the government’s perceived inaction regarding compensation for the families of those killed in the September riots.

Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who was appointed following the resignation of K.P. Sharma Oli in September, has maintained that her cabinet’s primary mandate is to ensure stability and conduct free elections in March 2026. However, the recurring protests at Maitighar suggest that a significant segment of the youth population remains dissatisfied with the pace of reform. Security remains tight in the capital as youth groups vow to continue their campaign until their core demands for systemic change are addressed.