The Eternal Question of the Fallen: Why Must Every Generation Pay the Price of Freedom with Their Lives?

The year 2007 BS. Four youths—Ganga Lal Shrestha, Dashrath Chand, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, and Shukraraj Shastri—became lamps against the darkness of the Rana regime. 

They were killed, but the flame of rebellion did not die. Instead, it was fear that lived in the blood of the authorities. Ten years later, the Rana regime fell, but the state could not truly belong to the people. The system changed, but the character of the rulers remained the same.

History found no rest after that. 2046 BS, 2062/63 BS, the Madhesh, the hills, the indigenous groups, farmers, and laborers—at every crossroads of change, a single question written in blood stood tall: "Will this country finally belong to the people?" A complete answer never came. 85 years passed, systems changed many times, but the power remained the same—arrogant, opaque, and corrupt.

Now, history has once again scratched its own wounds. The 'Gen-Z' movement of Bhadra. There were no stones in their hands, no hatred in their hearts; there was only the demand for good governance, accountability, and an end to corruption. But the state once again viewed its own children as enemies. It saw the quiet voice as a 'threat,' and once again, several dreams fell to the ground along with blood.

Today, the question is even deeper: Why is the language of pain the same between the martyrs of 2007 BS and today’s Gen-Z martyrs? Why must every generation pay the price of freedom with their lives? Martyrs have not died; they live on in every question where corruption flourishes, where justice is delayed, and where power is not accountable.

We no longer have the luxury of making excuses. No one has the right to cover up corruption by chanting the names of martyrs. We cannot let dreams rot while offering flowers to their photographs. 

The time has come to translate the martyrs not just into memory, but into the character of the state. To make good governance a rule rather than a slogan, and transparency a culture rather than a speech.

May no one have to become a martyr again. May no one have to become a corpse while carrying a dream.

Heartfelt tributes to all known and unknown martyrs who sacrificed their lives from 2007 BS to the Gen-Z movement! We must now complete this history written with your blood through justice and good governance. This is not just a tribute; it is a debt we carry.