KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 6 During an interaction hosted by the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) on the Nepal post-Gen Z movement, Gen Z leaders stated that the interim government should not solely prioritise elections over the demands of the Gen Z revolution. Tashi Lhzom, a Gen Z leader, accused the interim government of being insensitive, focusing solely on elections while ignoring Gen Z protest demands. 'The government was born out of the blood of Gen Z, and Gen Z demands must be their top priorities, not just elections.' She argued that, while some dismiss the protests as meaningless, they had clear goals, including defending democracy from corruption, challenging a culture of 'jholey-ism', and demanding accountability from a government that, she emphasised, exists today because of the blood and sacrifice of young citizens. Another Gen Z leader, Ojaswee Bhattarai, described the Gen Z protest as a reflection of social and economic repression. The most important change brought by the Gen Z protest is that it has brought youth to the centre of politics. 'Thus, it's critical for youth to come forth for leadership to dispel what has been limited to political elites.' She emphasised the significance of arson incidents at the Gen Z protest. According to her, the burning of certain political buildings dismissed the idea of political hijacking of state power. Prakiti Dhakal said, 'We are done with politicians who can tell stories in a poetic tone. We require leaders who are technocrats and understand the distinction between data centres and servers. We need leaders who understand the cost of hydropower and onions.' She cautioned that despite the quantum leap brought by Gen Z, the commoners remain uncertain, unclear and frustrated about choosing the new leader as the next prime minister. Manish Khanal, a member of the Nepal Gen Z front, criticised the lack of implementation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, as well as work delivery. 'This is what we questioned on September 8 and 9,' he said. 'While we work globally, the tools for globalisation and policies were shunned to keep Gen Z stagnant, which erupted during the Gen Z revolution. We need a transparent, digital and accountable government.' Asmita Rijal argued that the victims were children and that the country is forgetting the human rights violations they faced. She joined the September 8 protest because it resonated with her, and despite its loose structure, the movement proved the strength and political awareness of the youth. She said, 'Instead of criticising Gen Z for forming political parties, Nepal must recognise youth diversity and address the frustration of young people struggling for opportunities.' Smita Yadav highlighted that Nepal faces major challenges, including corruption, unemployment, and political inefficiency, and stressed the need for transparency in party actions. She noted that the minimum wage of Rs 17,500 is insufficient and urged the country to develop its potential, comparing Nepal's beauty to Switzerland. Advising the youth, she emphasised learning from history and past experiences to shape a better future. Experts and analysts speaking during the interaction noted the public security threat and failure of the security agencies, particularly the Nepal police. Bhaskar Gautam stated, 'Nepal has witnessed several protests, and security forces have experience managing unrest, but the Gen Z protest exposed their failure, which must be addressed by this and the next government.' Dr Suchita Pyakurel stated that the interim government lacks the legitimacy to act beyond the election mandate. 'This will be good for the current government to escape the current state of affairs by conducting elections,' she said. According to her, Khas Arya nationalism has cost Nepalis dearly, and it is very detrimental to minorities. This needs to be tackled politically and socially.' Reflecting on recent unrest, she noted that the burning of Singha Durbar revealed a collapse of public ownership and cautioned against over-reliance on technocracy or alienating older generations, stressing the need for inclusive knowledge and shared responsibility in democracy. 'Because arson is the carrier of political meaning during the protest,' she added. 'The state had broken the social contract between society and the state.' Former ambassador Vijay Kant Karn said, 'The Gen Z protest must persist for a quantum leap addressing the diversity of Nepal. For Nepal to advance, we need principled leadership, resilient institutions, and a sincere national conversation based on evidence and democratic values.' Hari Sharma credited Gen Z for safeguarding democracy by daring to question authority and argued that the state 'melted down' during the protests, leaving elections as the only path to restore legitimacy. 'Despite being a voter of the previous government, I am not in favour of the restoration of the parliament because it stopped listening and allowed shooting, hampering its legitimacy,' he said. Shankar Das Bairagi, former foreign secretary and national security advisor, emphasised that there can be no effective delivery without a clear understanding of state processes and stressed the need for diplomacy that resists influence from geopolitical actors. He called for a national consensus on foreign policy guided by the '3D' principles of Defence, Development and Dignity, and the '3C' framework of Consistency, Coherence and Credibility. He also argued that legal legitimacy alone is insufficient without public trust, urging structural reforms and a new social contract to navigate both domestic and international challenges.