In these dark and reactionary times, it is worth noting that despite the
barrage of propaganda from the media controlled by the State and thecapitalists, that struggle is not dead. We have seen the recent
transport strikes in London, the uprising in Indonesia and the blockades
on September 10th in France. The ACG hopes to comment on all of these
events, but here we look at another important happening, the uprising in
Nepal. ---- A huge wave of popular anger engulfed the Nepalese
government, when on September 4th it sought to close 26 social media
platforms. The excuse for this was the suppression of hate speech, but
the real reason was the closing down of dissent. Economic conditions
have forced two million workers to relocate all around the world, and
for them social media is the main way they keep in contact with their
families. About 90% of the population use social media.
There has long been widespread anger about the corruption of
politicians, and this was quickly expressed on placards held by
thousands of protestors who turned out on the streets of the capital
Kathmandu on that day. Many of these were young, and some were wearing
school uniforms. The police responded with violence, with the use of
baton charges and water cannon. This only increased the anger of the
demonstrators. On September 8th, the police escalated this violence,
firing on the crowd and killing protestors. So far the figure of those
slain by State forces has risen to 25 but may well increase. Many were
shot in the head or chest in deliberate targeted killings. Curfews were
imposed by the government, but this failed to deter.
In response the offices of political parties were set on fire, as well
as the houses of political leaders. Some of these politicians had to be
rescued from angry protestors by climbing up ropes dangled by police
helicopters, in a desperate attempt to escape popular anger. This was
followed by the burning of the Congress (Parliament) building. The Prime
Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli was forced to resign. Shortly after,
his house was burnt down. The Home Office Minister Ramesh Lekhak had
resigned the previous day, after claiming moral responsibility for the
repression. The ban on social media was lifted, but now the army is
taking control of the streets.
How did this all come about? One reason for the ban was the release of
material on social media, showing the extravagant lifestyle of the
Nepalese elite. This is in a country with very high levels of poverty
and 20 % youth unemployment. But discontent has been simmering for a
long time, and the release of this material and then the ban, were just
sparks that ignited a social flare up.
The revolt wasn't led by any particular group, so it appears. It was a
decentralised occurrence, spearheaded by young people with no allegiance
to any of the parties, plagued by unemployment and the forced need to
emigrate to find employment. Just last year, 740,000 people were forced
to emigrate.
Nepal evolved from a Hindu monarchy into a secular bourgeois democracy,
following a civil war with Maoist guerillas which led to a parliamentary
monarchy and ultimately the monarchy's abolition. Since then, various
parties have ruled, including some calling themselves Communist,
including from among the former Maoist guerillas. All of these quickly
adapted to the system and to the corrupt practices of the elite. This
elite enriched itself tremendously, and these rich families operate a
system of nepotism, where their sons and daughters inherit parliamentary
seats, government and party positions, State contracts and ambassadorial
positions.
A group called the Safal or Nepal Workers' Street Committee has emerged,
and has issued a statement , saying that the events were a "first shot
in the class war" and calling for the police to be disarmed and the
masses to be armed, and the dissolution of parliament. It remains to be
seen whether this is a genuine group, organically related to the revolt,
or an attempt by Communist elements to rehabilitate themselves.
Whatever, the revolt indicates the simmering dissent not just in Nepal,
but around the world. The ruling elites in both India and China should
take note and tremble. Revolution is still possible, whether in the East
or the West.
https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/2025/09/13/nepal-a-grassroots-uprising/
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