The government Gen Z brought to power is already being tested

Ten months ago, Nepal’s young anti-corruption protesters helped oust a prime minister and propelled a new political force to a landslide victory.

The movement promised a decisive break from the old order.

Yet barely 100 days into the new administration, many of the same young supporters are back on the streets, frustrated that the change they expected has not materialized.

Three months is too short to judge any government comprehensively.

Structural reforms take time but expectations for a government elected on the promise of rapid transformation are naturally higher.

That gap between expectation and delivery is becoming politically significant.

Last Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Singha Durbar Plaza carrying placards reading “End atrocity against the poor” and “Respect human rights.” Their demands were directed not at the traditional political establishment but at Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government.

The immediate trigger was the death of 25-year-old gig worker Ganesh Nepali, who set himself on fire outside Kathmandu’s passport office on July 9 after wha ...