As Nepal copes up with violent unrest following the government’s controversial ban on 26 social media platforms, the country’s younger generation has found an unlikely political symbol in Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu.
A rapper, music composer, poet, structural engineer, and politician, Shah is the first independent candidate to ever be elected mayor in Nepal, and his appeal among Gen Z has surged during the protests.
The demonstrations, driven largely by students and young professionals, turned deadly on Monday, leaving at least 19 people dead nationwide, 18 of them in Kathmandu alone.
Protesters argue that the government’s crackdown revealed a generational disconnect, with leaders failing to understand the aspirations of a digitally connected youth.
Shah, who voiced his support for the movement on Facebook, admitted he could not join due to the protest’s age cap of 28 but stressed the importance of amplifying young voices.
For many Gen Z demonstrators, Shah represents the type of leader they desire, one who not only understands their cultural expressions but also resonates with their demand for transparency, freedom, and systemic change.
