Rabi Kiran Hamal Arrested After Calling Youth Back to the Streets ,Released After Seven Hours

Kathmandu — Rabi Kiran Hamal, an  acvist of Nepal’s GenZ movement, was arrested on Sunday after urging young people to return to the streets, saying that the demands of the GenZ uprising remain unfulfilled.

Hamal was detained from Maitighar and taken to the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Office before being held at the Singha Durbar Police Circle. He was released after seven hours in custody.

According to Hamal, the arrest occurred as protesters took to the streets again, frustrated by the government’s inaction on the issues raised during the GenZ Uprising of Bhadra 23–24. He said the movement’s key demands , including the rewriting of the constitution and restructuring of public institutions , have yet to be addressed.

“During the uprising, 76 people lost their lives and more than 2,300 were injured. Historical landmarks and private properties were destroyed. After such sacrifice, we expected real political transformation, but the persistence of old power structures has blocked progress,” Hamal said.

He criticized recent political developments, accusing the country’s traditional parties of betraying the spirit of the uprising by appointing Sushila Karki to lead an electoral government.

“When the old parties handed leadership to Sushila Karki, Nepal began to regress. This is not the government we fought for. Those actors exploited the absence of state authority to stage a political takeover,” he added.

Hamal reiterated that the movement will continue until its founding objectives are realized.

“There can be no political stability or good governance until the constitution is rewritten and public institutions are restructured. These issues must be addressed , no matter how long it takes. We will move forward by honoring the sacrifices made,” he said.

Brief Q&A with Rabi Kiran Hamal

Why were you arrested?

We called on the youth to return to the streets because the government failed to address the issues raised during the GenZ uprising. I was arrested while making that appeal.

Why haven’t GenZ’s demands been addressed? Isn’t this your government?

No. Despite the sacrifices dozens dead and thousands injured ,the old political forces still control the system. When Sushila Karki was appointed to lead an electoral government by the same old parties, it became clear that our revolution had been sidelined.

What are your next steps?

We will continue our struggle until the constitution is rewritten and public institutions are rebuilt. There is no alternative to moving forward while upholding the spirit of sacrifice.