Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged the government and political leadership to ensure good governance, control corruption and uphold the rule of law, saying the Gen Z movement delivered a clear message that parliamentary majorities alone cannot guarantee political stability.
In a statement issued Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of the Gen Z protests, Karki paid tribute to those killed and injured during the movement, which erupted last year with young people demanding good governance, accountability, transparency and a better future.
“On this day one year ago, a painful incident occurred in the history of the country,” Karki said. “When young people raised their voices through the streets and digital networks demanding good governance, accountability, transparency and a bright future, the lives of innocent young people were taken in the name of suppressing that voice.”
She also expressed sympathy for those who sustained injuries and said many young people would have to live with disabilities for the rest of their lives.
Karki, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court, later headed the interim government formed in the aftermath of the protests. The interim administration successfully held the House of Representatives election on March 5.
She also acknowledged the extensive damage to public and private property during the protests.
“The wound inflicted on the life of the nation will perhaps never fully heal,” she said, adding that such an incident should never be allowed to happen again.
Karki called on political leaders, government officials and people to perform their duties honestly and responsibly to prevent a situation in which people are forced to return to the streets to demand good governance and change.
She said the Gen Z movement had sent a clear message to the state and political leadership.
“Even a two-thirds majority in Parliament cannot provide stability if there is no good governance,” Karki said. “Political stability is determined not by parliamentary arithmetic, but by the character and working style of those in power.”
She said she expected the government to take effective measures to ensure good governance, curb corruption, uphold the rule of law and guarantee respect for citizens.
