In a historic move, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has become Nepal’s first female interim Prime Minister.
Her appointment follows Gen Z-led protests that toppled the previous government and plunged the nation into political uncertainty. Karki, known for her anti-corruption stance, was the youth movement’s clear choice to lead a caretaker administration and guide Nepal toward a democratic future.
Karki’s high-profile legal career bolsters her appeal to the protest movement. As Nepal’s first female Chief Justice (2016–2017), she earned a reputation as a “firebrand judge” unafraid to challenge powerful figures. Her government’s main task is to oversee fresh elections, with polls set for March 5, 2026.
Beyond elections, Karki faces the challenge of restoring stability after unrest, including the mass escape of over 13,500 inmates, many convicted of serious crimes, creating a major internal security crisis.
Concurrently, the economic devastation caused by coordinated attacks on factories and businesses, which led to billions in losses, requires immediate attention. Her administration's ability to tackle these monumental security and economic issues will be a crucial test of its legitimacy and its capacity to rebuild a nation deeply fractured by division and protest.
Born in 1952 as the eldest of seven in a farming family in eastern Nepal, Sushila Karki’s family had close ties to Nepal’s first democratically elected PM, Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. She earned a BA from Mahendra Morang Campus (1972), an MA in political science from Banaras Hindu University, India (1975), and an LLB from Tribhuvan University (1978).
For Indian nationals in Nepal, the protests turned into a tense and dangerous ordeal. The Ministry of External Affairs issued travel advisories urging caution as violence erupted. Among the casualties was Rajesh Gola, a woman from Ghaziabad, who was critically injured when rioters set fire to the Hyatt Hotel she was staying at with her husband. A bus carrying over 40 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh was also attacked while returning from Pashupatinath Temple, and more than 500 Indian tourists were stranded near the Nepal-China border during the unrest. With the formation of a new interim government, India has expressed hope for restored peace and stability in its neighbouring country.
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“Nepal’s strength lies in its resilience and unity through differences”
Amid Nepal’s political turmoil and widespread protests, Nepalis worldwide stand in solidarity with the people, backing calls for justice and accountability. British Nepalis applaud the youth’s demands but worry that the violence could destabilise the country, urging for dialogue, restraint, and responsible leadership. Asian Voice spoke to diaspora members about Gen Z’s protests.
London-based Prashant Kunwar, who works to strengthen UK-Nepal ties, condemned the violence in Nepal: “What began as a peaceful Gen Z protest demanding accountability and an end to corruption has become a national tragedy. The killing of 72 people and hundreds injured is a deep wound on Nepal’s conscience. The state is out of touch with its youth, and hope is crushed when power chooses violence over dialogue.”
He added, “Brutality has only fueled unrest. While youth voices must be heard, destruction of property and livelihoods is not the answer. Ordinary citizens suffer, and those responsible must be held accountable. Nepal teeters on the edge, with government buildings burning, businesses collapsing, and tourism under threat. Without trust in leadership, where do we go from here?”
Kunwar also warned of broader consequences: “A fractured Nepal would not only harm citizens but could expose the country to external forces with no regard for its interests. Survival, dignity, and sovereignty are at stake. Even in this dark hour, we must remember that tolerance, compassion, and respect are essential. Nepal’s strength lies in its resilience and unity through differences. Without these, political change alone cannot heal the nation.”
He concluded, “Nepal stands at a crossroads: one path leads to chaos, the other to dialogue, accountability, and healing. The choices made now will decide whether the country rises from this crisis with courage and wisdom or falls. The road ahead is long, but the future depends on what we do together.”
Major (retd) Tikendra Dewan JP said, “The patriots of Nepal must remain vigilant to ensure that Deep State actors or political factions linked to Gen Z do not hijack this historic movement led by the nation’s genuine youth. Evidence of internal sabotage is clear: government offices were set ablaze, private properties destroyed, critical data lost, and the costs of rebuilding continue to mount. The President must also bear responsibility for his silence while Nepal burned, as law enforcement, tasked with maintaining order, resorted to indiscriminately targeting innocent young protesters demanding justice.”
