“On Martyrs’ Day, Balen Shah Questions Nepal’s Power Structure”

Kathmandu: Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Balendra Shah (Balen), has commented that even after the sacrifices of martyrs who fought against the Rana regime, the state has failed to truly belong to the people.

On Friday, via social media, he recalled that 85 years have passed since the then-state brutally executed Gangalal Shrestha, Dashrath Chand, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and Shukraraj Shastri. He stated that although the Rana regime ended about a decade after their sacrifice, the character of the state has not changed.

"In 85 years, the system changed repeatedly, but the character of the power remained the same," Balen wrote. "The Nepali people had to struggle continuously, people became martyrs time and again, but the dreams of the martyrs are yet to be fulfilled."

He also raised the context of the recent 'Gen Z movement' that took place in September (Bhadau). Expressing grief, he mentioned that youth and students who took to peaceful protest demanding good governance and an end to corruption had to sacrifice their lives.

Balen mentioned that the time has come to move toward fulfilling the martyrs' dreams, stating that the responsibility to end corruption and maintain good governance rests on the shoulders of the current generation. "We must end long-rooted corruption and make Nepal an economically advanced country," he said.

Furthermore, he stated that it is imperative to end extreme partisan interests within state bodies and make the state accountable and transparent. "None of us have the privilege to ignore the sacrifices of these martyrs anymore," he said. 

On the occasion of Martyrs' Day, Balen also called for a commitment to building a well-governed and corruption-free country through heart, word, and deed.