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In a significant political development following the recent GenZ protests, the CPN (Maoist Center) has dissolved its Central Committee and formed a special General Convention Organizing Committee aimed at electing a new leadership. This marks a bold move by the party to adapt to the shifting political landscape shaped by the youth-led protests on Sept 8–9.

A meeting of the party’s first Central Committee following the protests appointed party Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the coordinator of the newly formed convention organizing committee. “From today, I am no more the Chairman of the party but a coordinator of the organizing committee,” Dahal announced after the meeting.

The party plans to organize the general convention between December and January. However, despite the structural changes, Dahal is unlikely to relinquish his leadership position entirely, as second-rung leaders continue to insist there is no viable alternative to his leadership. Notably, Dahal rejected a proposal from senior leaders Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Janardhan Sharma urging him to step down.

In response to the growing demands from GenZ activists, the Maoist Center has become the first major political party to pledge structural reforms, including a decision to ensure 25 percent representation of GenZ members in all party committees—from the central level down to the grassroots. The party has attempted to portray itself as being aligned with the youth, reminding the public that it advocated for a directly elected executive president during the constitution drafting process in 2015.

Some Maoist leaders have expressed that the protests should have concluded after the government agreed to discuss the possibility of a directly elected executive head—an issue long championed by the Maoist party. During the protests, Maoist cadres were visibly active, with some involved in vandalizing private residences of leaders from the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML.

As an opposition force, the Maoist Center—along with the Rastriya Swatantra Party—tacitly supported the GenZ movement, further distinguishing itself from the other two major parties, NC and UML, which have been slower to respond. The party is now strategically attempting to rebrand itself as a responsive and reformist force in contrast to the perceived stagnation of its rivals. In contrast, both NC and UML remain in a state of disarray. Neither has yet convened official meetings in the presence of their top leaders—Sher Bahadur Deuba for NC and KP Sharma Oli for UML. Both parties have expressed conditional support for elections, insisting the government must first create an appropriate environment.

Within the NC, calls for leadership change are growing louder. Party President Deuba, recently discharged from hospital and now staying in a rented apartment, has remained silent on his future plans. Meanwhile, younger leaders like General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have launched a signature campaign to convene a special general convention to elect new leadership. Thapa is also in discussions with senior leader Shekhar Koirala on charting a course toward party reform.

However, Deuba loyalists such as Purna Bahadur Khadka and Prakash Sharan Mahat have criticized Thapa’s campaign, arguing that it is inappropriate to demand leadership change while the party president is recovering from illness. The NC leadership remains cautious, even skeptical, of the GenZ protests, with some senior leaders viewing the movement as a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing both the party and democracy. This cautious stance may delay any clear decision on elections, leadership transition, or internal restructuring.

Meanwhile, in the CPN-UML, the push for leadership change remains muted. Though there are murmurs among some younger leaders, most senior leaders remain loyal to KP Sharma Oli. After relocating to a rented apartment in Bhaktapur, Oli has been meeting with senior party members and sister organizations. In a recent interaction with party-affiliated journalists, he hinted at an alleged conspiracy against him, citing his "nationalist position" as a possible motive.

Though some youth voices are calling for internal reform, no substantial pressure has been applied on Oli to step aside. A youth-led initiative dubbed the "party reform revolution" has emerged within UML, but it remains to be seen whether it can generate enough momentum to bring about real change. For now, only the Maoist Center appears to be actively adapting to the new political dynamics triggered by the GenZ movement. The other two major parties—NC and UML—remain trapped in internal power struggles and hesitant to embrace reform or acknowledge the political message sent by the youth protests.

We’ve all seen it: people using ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools to enhance their pictures, making them appear more authentic and attractive. But have we really considered the consequences? Most of the time, we don’t. These days, we see AI generated images and videos flooding our social media. Recently, I came across a clip by influencer Bhanu Pathak talking about the risk of uploading images on AI tools. He criticized the practice, calling it unethical, creepy, and unsafe. He warned that AI companies could keep personal data of users.

The situation became even more alarming when one instagram user shared her experience of using AI to enhance her photo. She discovered something disturbing: a photo where she was fully sleeve was transformed by AI into a sleeveless version. Not only that, the AI even replicated a mole on her right hand. Shockingly, she confirmed that she actually does have a mole in the same spot in real life.

Dipayan Ghosh, who writes about cyber security, explains AI can generate images of real people without consent, posing a serious privacy risk. 

“It allows anyone to alter photos and create false scenarios, making it appear as though someone did something they never actually did.”

To detect if an image is AI-generated or not, Ghosh suggests using reverse image search to trace the source of the picture. “Be mindful about what you share online, and avoid believing every photo you come across on social media,” he adds, while urging people to use AI tools responsibly and ethically.

Osmond Chia, a technology reporter at The Straits Times, has written a piece on OpenAI facing several lawsuits, including one from The New York Times, for using the paper’s content without permission to train AI models. In response, OpenAI argued that the data was publicly accessible and therefore permissible for research purposes.

While non-commercial ChatGPT users may not face direct copyright issues, Chia also noted that “freely uploading personal photos onto the platform still carries significant risks, particularly concerning privacy and misuse of data.”

The advent of AI has also impacted the creative world. Legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has called the technology “an insult to life itself.” He argued that though faster, AI cannot come close to the artistry and soul found in the works of creative minds.

Shristi Prajapati, a tattoo and visual artist, understands where Miyazaki is coming from. She says AI art has taken over so much of the space that once belonged to human hands and hearts. 

“While artists like us spend hours mixing colors, shaping ideas, and pouring emotion into every detail, AI can replicate something similar in mere seconds. It’s painful to watch years of practice, love, and identity getting pushed aside.” 

For centuries, art has been a sacred expression—not just a product for sale. Even when artists didn’t make money, they created to preserve beauty, truth, culture, and emotion. Now, they are up against machines that don’t feel, don’t struggle, don’t dream. 

Still, despite the pressure and the heartbreak, artists like Prajapati continue. “I believe there are still people who recognize the difference, who still value the human touch,” she says.

Visual artist Rudrakshya Man Pradhan expresses similar sentiment. He says that AI should remain as a tool for inspiration, not a replacement for genuine expression. “It is essential to teach people the true value of art, so that society learns to see beyond surface-level images and appreciate the stories, emotions, and individuality only human hands can create,” he adds. 

But not everyone sees AI art as a threat. Sajira Shrestha, 26, says as long as you know what you are doing, AI can be a fun experimenting platform. “I don’t think it will hurt anyone as long as you are using AI for fun stuff. But at the same time, I don’t discount the harm it can do in the wrong hands.”

Pradhan says despite concerns surrounding AI technology, it is impossible to escape its presence and we must learn to live with it. 

“We know that AI always depends on prompts and borrowed data, while human art emerges from individuality and authenticity. So, I see that the future lies in balancing tradition with technology, and fostering awareness of art’s true value..”

The craze over AI images reflects both the excitement and the dangers of new technology. While AI can produce quick, attractive, and trendy results, it also raises serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of human creativity. For artists, it poses the painful risk of being overshadowed, yet it also offers opportunities if used wisely as a tool for inspiration. 

To safeguard creativity, society needs to value authentic art, educate younger generations about its deeper meaning, and use AI responsibly. In the end, the true challenge lies in striking a balance—embracing technology without losing sight of the human touch that makes art sacred. Prajapati aptly says: “Handmade art holds imperfections, emotions, and stories that no AI can ever truly replicate.” 

The government has decided to insure state-owned assets for the first time, aiming to reduce financial exposure from disasters and unrest such as the recent GenZ protests that left public buildings and vehicles in ruins. The Cabinet meeting held on Sunday endorsed the plan to make insurance mandatory for government property. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the decision in a statement two days later, saying it would “initiate the process of insuring government infrastructure.”

Until now, the state had borne the full cost of rebuilding whenever earthquakes, floods, fires, or arson damaged public assets. But the scale of destruction during the Sept 8–9 GenZ protests, which targeted iconic institutions including the Supreme Court, Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office, and ministries inside Singha Durbar, highlighted the need for risk-sharing mechanisms.

According to the Nepal Insurance Authority, non-life insurers have already received 2,478 claims amounting to Rs 22.25bn following the protests. While private properties and businesses had coverage, government buildings were not insured, meaning reconstruction would have to be funded entirely from the treasury.

While the exact number of government buildings is not available, observers say it is substantial. In addition to federal-level structures, all seven provincial governments and 753 local governments maintain their own offices across the country. Each ward within the local units also has its own building. Major government agencies are represented in all 77 districts, while the army and police maintain nationwide presence with extensive infrastructure. There are also numerous universities, colleges, and schools under the public sector.

Officials said the new policy would initially focus on insuring government buildings and vehicles, which alone would generate billions of rupees in premiums for the domestic insurance industry. Full-scale coverage of all public assets would take time, they added, but the step marks a major breakthrough for insurers who have long pushed for mandatory government asset coverage. Industry experts say the government's decision could more than double the size of the non-life insurance market. 

The Nepal Insurance Authority had earlier advised the government to include asset coverage in this year’s budget. But the proposal was shelved due to fiscal constraints. Finance ministry officials now say the scheme will be implemented beginning the next fiscal year. Government vehicles are insured, but they only have the mandatory third-party insurance cover.

Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, has outlined the priorities and limitations of her government, whose sole mandate is to conduct national elections within six months. Analysis of Karki’s address suggests her primary focus is to hold the elections. She also sent a clear message to Gen-Z protestors that the government cannot address demands that fall outside the current constitutional framework.

 In her first address to the nation since assuming office on September 12, PM Karki made it clear that a constitutional amendment will not take place before the national elections scheduled for March 5 next year.  She emphasized that issues raised by the Gen-Z movement—such as constitutional reform and changes to the system of governance—fall outside the jurisdiction of the interim government. "I want to request the Nepali people who are in favor of change, including the young generation, to participate in the upcoming elections and work to amend the constitution through the constitutional process," Karki said.

Her remarks come at a time when a section of protestors, backed by Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, is demanding a shift to a directly elected presidential system, moving away from the current parliamentary setup. Shah, a vocal critic of mainstream political leaders, has been a prominent supporter of the protests.

Karki’s stance is expected to draw criticism from Shah's supporters. However, two major political parties—the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—are likely to back her position that the constitution cannot and should not be amended before the elections. Meanwhile, the third-largest party, CPN (Maoist Centre), supports the idea of a directly elected president and a fully proportional electoral system but acknowledges that a constitutional amendment is not possible in the absence of a functioning legislature. 

The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML have yet to hold formal party meetings in the presence of Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Sharma Oli, However, both leaders are facing growing pressure from within their parties to step down, as grassroots members call for leadership change in line with the aspirations of the youth. 

While major political parties are not opposing the elections, they have called for improvements in law and order to ensure a conducive environment for voting. President Ram Chandra Poudel has instructed PM Karki not to introduce any ordinances beyond the scope of facilitating elections. Acting on a cabinet recommendation, he has issued an ordinance amending the Voter Registration Act, 2073 BS, and the government has already consulted with the Election Commission to streamline the electoral process. Karki reiterated the government's commitment to holding free and fair elections, urging all political parties to participate and represent the aspirations of the youth.

This marks the first time PM Karki has formally addressed political parties. Initially, she avoided including party representatives in the interim government, fearing backlash from Gen-Z protestors. Although the major parties opposed the dissolution of Parliament, they have accepted the upcoming elections—provided the government ensures a fair environment.

In an attempt to address protestors' demands, PM Karki announced that the government will take action against those responsible for the killing of 21 youths in a police firing incident on September 8. There is a mounting pressure to take action against then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. To investigate the incident, the government has formed a judicial commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, which has already begun its work. Local media reports suggest the government is considering imposing travel bans on top political leaders.

Corruption is another major issue raised by the Gen-Z protestors. PM Karki assured the public that her government would take steps to curb corruption. She revealed that preliminary investigations have already unearthed past corruption cases. However, with the existing Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) in place, establishing a parallel commission faces constitutional and legal hurdles.

PM Karki also highlighted the limitations of her government. With a six-month tenure, she said it is not possible to resolve all the issues raised by the movement. However, she assured that the government would make a sincere effort within its mandate. Regarding recent media reports about large amounts of cash found in the private residence of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, she confirmed that an investigation is underway.

While some Gen-Z protestors are calling for drastic changes, including scrapping the constitution and taking tougher actions against traditional political leaders, the government is under pressure to maintain a balanced approach to avoid disrupting the election environment. 

The government finds itself in a challenging position—trying to satisfy the protestors’ demands for justice and accountability, while also ensuring cooperation from major political parties. While Gen-Z protestors demand action against those responsible for the September 8 shootings and past corruption, political parties are urging a proper investigation into the burning of key state institutions such as the Parliament building, the judiciary, and Singha Durbar.

President Poudel has also cautioned PM Karki not to take any actions that would violate the constitution. During the government formation process, Karki had initially proposed dissolving Parliament, but President Poudel rejected the suggestion. She later recommended dissolution again, which the President approved.

Meanwhile, the international community—particularly the United States and the European Union—has voiced strong support for the protection of Nepal’s 2015 constitution and the conduct of timely, free, and fair elections. 

A delegation from the European Union met with PM Karki on Thursday to reaffirm their commitment to Nepal’s democracy, rule of law, and human rights. It appears that India, the US, and the EU are aligned in their stance on upholding constitutional order and supporting timely elections in Nepal. Nepal’s next door neighbor China, however, is yet to officially welcome the formation of the new government.  

Although Prime Minster Karki made it clear in her address that government’s sole priority is to hold elections, uncertainty still looms large. Questions remain over whether elections can be conducted within the six-month timeframe as political parties are still raising the questions of their security. Law and order remain a major concerns, with numerous police posts destroyed and over 8000 prisoners at large. Additionally, fears are growing that country’s economy may take a further hit, as the private sector was heavily targeted during the protests.