Weeks into power, Balen Shah govt rocked by protests across Nepal

Public anger is rapidly building in Nepal against the government led by Kathmandu Mayor-turned-national leader Balen Shah, less than a month after it swept to power with a two-thirds majority.

What began as scattered discontent has now grown into a multi-front political challenge, with protests spreading from city streets to Singha Durbar, the country’s administrative heart.

Students, opposition groups and ordinary citizens have joined demonstrations across Kathmandu and several other cities, signaling growing frustration with the new administration’s early decisions.

One of the strongest flashpoints has been the government’s move to impose a mandatory customs duty on goods worth more than ₹100 brought in from India.

Residents in Nepal’s border regions say the decision directly hits their daily lives, as many families depend on frequent cross-border purchases for essential goods. Protesters argue the measure places an unfair financial burden on common citizens while ignoring the economic realities of border communities.

Student union row fuels youth anger

Another major source of unrest is the government’s alleged decision to scrap or sideline student unions linked to political organizations.

Student leaders have accused the administration of choosing confrontation over dialogue, deepening resentment among the youth. Thousands of students have taken part in demonstrations nationwide, with school and college campuses emerging as centres of resistance.

Scenes of students marching in school uniforms, carrying placards and chanting slogans against the government, have become a defining image of the protests. The visuals suggest the agitation has moved far beyond party politics and into mainstream public life.

Pressure mounts on Home Minister

The protests have also intensified around allegations against Home Minister Sudan Gurung, who faces accusations of holding disproportionate assets and being linked to questionable financial dealings.

Demonstrators and opposition parties claim Gurung was involved in suspicious business transactions and had connections with individuals accused in financial crimes. Nepalese media reports citing investment records and shareholding documents have further sharpened calls for his resignation on moral grounds.

Civil society groups and political parties continue to rally around the issue, making it one of the central demands of the ongoing protests.

Government faces early test

With unrest widening in scale and intensity, the Balen Shah government is confronting its first major crisis just weeks after taking office.

What started as opposition to policy decisions has now evolved into a broader challenge to the administration’s credibility, with criticism growing louder on the streets and across Nepal’s political landscape.