'Remove Your Dark Glasses': Gen Z Protesters Demand Nepal PM Balen Shah Face The People After Ride-Sharing Driver's Death

Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah, whose meteoric political rise was fuelled by Gen Z voters demanding change, is now facing a backlash from the very generation that once championed him.

Large-scale protests erupted across Nepal over the weekend, with hundreds of young demonstrators taking to the streets after the death of a ride-sharing driver.

According to a report published in the Hindi news portal Aaj Tak, Public anger intensified, opposition leaders joined the chorus of criticism, urging Shah to "take off your dark glasses" and face the people instead of remaining detached from their concerns.

'Take Off Your Shades': Protesters Target PM

The slogan, which quickly became a rallying cry during the protests, reflects growing frustration with Shah's leadership style and his government's response to the crisis.

During heated proceedings in Parliament, opposition lawmakers criticised the Prime Minister, with one leader asking him to remove his signature dark shades and confront the realities faced by ordinary citizens. Several lawmakers also demanded his resignation.

Driver's Death Sparks Nationwide Outrage

The protests were triggered by the death of 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali, a ride-sharing driver who allegedly set himself on fire after Kathmandu Metropolitan City police locked the wheel of his motorcycle during an enforcement drive over parking violations.

According to Nepali media reports, Ganesh Nepali suffered severe burn injuries and died on Friday before he could be airlifted to AIIMS New Delhi for advanced medical treatment.

His death sparked outrage, with students, youth groups and civil society organisations accusing authorities of heavy-handed and insensitive policing.

Protests Spread Across Nepal

What began as demonstrations over the driver's death quickly evolved into broader protests against the government's handling of law enforcement and public accountability.

Hundreds of protesters, many of them young people, gathered in Kathmandu and other parts of the country, demanding justice for the deceased and greater accountability from the government.

Gen Z Turns Against Its Political Icon

Balen Shah first emerged as a political phenomenon after winning the Kathmandu mayoral election in 2022 as an independent candidate. A former rapper and engineer, he became a symbol of a new generation of politics, attracting widespread support from Gen Z voters with promises of clean governance, transparency and decisive leadership.

His popularity eventually propelled him to the office of Prime Minister.

However, critics now argue that his administration's strict enforcement campaigns and governance style have alienated many of the young supporters who once viewed him as a reformist leader.

The latest protests underscore a dramatic shift in public sentiment, with the youth-led movement that helped elevate Shah to power now demanding greater accountability and increasingly, his resignation.