Nepal is once again witnessing widespread unrest, as millions of students and young people have taken to the streets. Protesters have surrounded the Parliament building, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is preparing to step down. This movement has been named the Gen Z movement in Nepal.
At the center of this wave of protests is Balendra Shah, who is also popularly known as Balen Shah, and the Mayor of Kathmandu. Balen has gained immense popularity among Nepalese youth, making him stand out from other mayors who rarely receive national attention.
Balen’s influence is evident as he was named in Time magazine’s 2023 list of 100 most influential people. Prestigious media outlets like The New York Times have also featured him. His posts on social media frequently spark national debates and trends, and his lifestyle, approach, and style make him a role model for the youth. This is why the movement gained traction when he publicly supported it.
Balendra Shah: From Engineer to Rapper to Mayor
Balen Shah began his career as a civil engineer, and then tried his luck as a rapper before entering politics. He ran for mayor of Kathmandu and won, surprising many due to his popularity among young voters and growing disenchantment with traditional political parties.
ALSO READ: Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli Resigns After Deadly Crackdown Kills 19
In 2023, Balen opposed the Indian film Adipurush, based on the Ramayana, due to some controversial dialogues. He demanded that the dialogues be removed and warned that Indian films would not be screened in Kathmandu if his demand was ignored.
How Balen Shah Became the Center of the Movement?
The protests initially erupted against the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children. The hashtag #Nepokid trended across social media. The government tried to restrict internet and social media access, which led Gen Z to begin peaceful protests nationwide. Police action during the protests caused 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries, including 18 deaths in Kathmandu alone.
Balen openly supported the movement, becoming a hero figure for the youth. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor endorsed the Gen Z-led rally against corruption and social media restrictions.
In a Facebook post, Balen wrote, “Although I cannot participate due to the age limit set by the organizers, I believe it is important to listen to their voices. Political parties, leaders, workers, and MPs should not use this rally for their self-interest. While I will not join, I fully support the protesters.”
Growing Calls for Leadership
Following PM Oli’s resignation, calls grew for Balen to take leadership. Some politicians, including Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, resigned after police killed 20 protesters. Nepali youth now compare Balen Shah with the Prime Minister and other senior political leaders. Social media posts urge him to step down from the mayoral post and lead the country.
ALSO READ: Nepal Protest: Protesters Set Fire on PM Oli’s Residence | Watch
Many young Nepalese are asking Balen to form a new political party and guide the nation, arguing that the leaders of the three main political parties have failed to deliver results.
Balen Shah Warned the Government Earlier
On 28 February 2024, Balen publicly warned the government when Kathmandu Metropolitan staff did not receive salaries. He wrote on Facebook, “I don’t know who will protest. If our employees do not receive salaries by next week, I will bury all of them in pieces. We will deal with your system later.”
Longstanding Conflict Between Oli and Balen
The political tension between 34-year-old Balen and 72-year-old KP Sharma Oli, a two-time Prime Minister and UML chairman, is longstanding. The unrest stems from unpaid salaries for over 3,500 Kathmandu municipal staff and teachers who had not been paid for more than four months.
Balen clashed with the federal government over the appointment of a new municipal officer. This dispute escalated as the youth called on Balen to lead protests, which he fully supported.
ALSO READ: Nepal Protests Escalate: Minister’s House Set on Fire in Kathmandu, PM Oli Calls Meeting
The conflict began when Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) started removing illegally constructed buildings and advertisements violating municipal rules. Balen opposed the demolitions. When persuasion failed, municipal forces were sent to remove unauthorized structures, with involvement from a UML member, Mahesh Basnet, who threatened Balen.
The tension increased when Balen began evicting residents and businesses illegally occupying public and riverbank land. Many of these occupants were politically connected, and some were UML voters. PM Oli accused Balen of attacking the poor.
Latest Controversy
The most recent dispute arose over widening footpaths on New Road. A UML ward chair opposed the project, and UML-linked ministries ordered a halt. Balen accused Oli of policy corruption related to the controversial Giri Bandhu Tea Estate land exchange.
UML leaders retaliated by calling Balen a “puppy,” while Oli dismissed him as a “political bubble” that would soon burst.
Youth Rally Behind Balen
Since the start of the Gen Z movement, Balen Shah has consistently supported the protests. His backing has given the movement momentum. Youth now see him as a potential national leader, pushing for a new direction in Nepalese politics.
Balen’s popularity, combined with youth frustration over corruption, unemployment, and political mismanagement, has placed him at the heart of Nepal’s ongoing political transformation.
ALSO READ: Nepal Protests 2025: India Says ‘Deeply Saddened’ by Young Lives Lost | Watch
