Families of martyrs of ‘Gen Z’ protest demand justice, hope for country’s change

KATHMANDU: The families of martyrs who lost their lives during the ‘Gen Z’ protest on Bhadra 24 are still mourning, struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss.

Eleven days after the death of 21-year-old Abhishek Chaulagain from Duwakot, Changunarayan Municipality–2, his family says there has been little recognition of their grief, emphasizing that they want to see the country transformed as their son had envisioned.

Abhishek was shot in the chest near the Parliament building during the protest.

His father, Dinesh Chaulagain, a police officer residing in Bhaktapur’s Duwakot area, was on duty at Sallaghari police post on Bhadra 23 and 24.

Despite urging his son not to join the protest, Abhishek left home, determined to fight for change. “He told me he would be home by 11:15 a.m., but by evening, I learned he had been shot at Baneshwar and had died around 6:30 p.m.,” his father recalled.

The loss devastated the family. “He was our only support, our only child. The pain of losing a 21-year-old son can only be understood by those who have gone through it,” Dinesh added. Abhishek, who was pursuing a Bachelor’s in Hotel Management at Trichandra Campus, often expressed his commitment to serve the country, telling his mother, “If I have to die for the country, I will. Don’t worry, I am at the protest. I will work for Nepal, not go abroad.”

The family’s younger daughter, 15-year-old Elisha, is also struggling to cope with the loss of her elder brother. Dinesh believes that his son’s sacrifice was driven by his desire to see a corruption-free country and justice for all.

Similarly, 22-year-old Mahesh Budhathoki from Bigu Rural Municipality–3, Dolakha, also lost his life in the protest at Koteshwar.

Mahesh, who had been caring for his mother suffering from cancer, had even planned to work abroad in Malta. His parents, Keshav and Dilkumari Budhathoki, are now left devastated and helpless, mourning the loss of their only child. Mahesh’s relatives say that if the country achieves the change that the youth demanded, their sacrifice will be honored.

Another youth, Roshan (Yogendra) Nyaupane from Changunarayan Municipality–1, also lost his life in the protest. His family traveled from Sindhuli to Duwakot to perform his funeral rites.

The families and relatives of all martyrs have urged the government and relevant authorities to ensure that the dreams and sacrifices of these young lives are respected, and that the change they fought for is realized.