Nepalese students, families and supporters paid respect to the civilians who have lost their lives in the Nepal anti-corruption protests.

Students and members of the Nepalese community gathered with candles and laid out the Nepalese flag on campus on Friday night in a sombre tribute.

Leaders from the UON Nepalese Club and the Nepalese In Newcastle community group delivered speeches emphasising the importance of unity and sticking together during this difficult time.

Club president and event organiser, Arun Bhatta, said many Nepalese students are feeling “heavy in the heart”.

“It’s been so unbelievable and is an unexpected moment. For all of us students, the pictures online of the protest of students getting killed are triggering. We can’t sleep for nights,” he said.

“All of our focus was on the news. We were checking minute by minute what was going on in Nepal. So we can’t really focus in the classroom, on assignments or exams.”

UON Nepalese Club president Arun Bhatta hopes the worst of the violence in Nepal is over. Image by Blair Wise.

The club was planning events for Dashain, a 15-day Hindu festival, when news of the protests came out.

Now they’ve had to put these celebrations on hold.

“Most of the protesters who have lost their lives are young, like us. It’s so heartbreaking to see,” Arun said.

“No one can be happy and celebrate here while the nation is crying.”

Professor Belinda Tynan, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, told Yak Media the university is “deeply saddened” by the events in Nepal.

“We understand this is an especially difficult time for our Nepalese student community,” she said.

She encouraged students who have been affected to access the university’s free wellbeing services, including counselling appointments and after-hours phone support.

The Nepalese community gathered in unity to remember the people killed in the Gen-Z anti-corruption protests. Image supplied.

Nepal’s protests and youth unrest

Last week, protests against corruption and a social media ban erupted on the streets of Kathmandu and other cities.

Demonstrations turned violent after the mostly Gen-Z protesters clashed with police.

At least 72 people were killed in the two days of protests, with more injured, according to official figures.

Weeks before the ban, a campaign was going viral on social media that showed the children of politicians living lavish lifestyles; many believed social media was shining a light on the country’s inequality.

“There are not enough employment opportunities and, in the government, there is also some favouritism and nepotism,” Arun said.

“Normal citizens can’t even fulfil their basic human needs, like food, water, and clothes. So, the Gen-Z there are frustrated and have been brave enough to speak up.”

There are few job prospects for young people in Nepal and many move abroad to find work or to study.

Youth unemployment (aged 15 to 24) in Nepal was 20.8% last year, according to the World Bank.

Since the protests, the ban has been rolled back and a new Prime Minister has been sworn in.

Concerns about the future

Although the protests have ended, Arun, like many, is still concerned about the nation’s future.

He was in Nepal only nine months ago and attended high school in Kathmandu, where the major protests occurred.

He said he has friends in Nepal whom he has been keeping in touch with during the protests.

“They all are unsure of which direction Nepal will go and they are scared. Even watching from far away, we are very scared of what will happen if it gets out of control,” he said.

For now, Arun can only hope for more stability in his home country and said he will continue working in the university club to ensure that other Nepalese students are looked after.

He encouraged any Nepalese students who are doing it tough to reach out to the club for support.

“But we are not alone. I love to see that we can all get together in this difficult time, we can all help each other.”

Students in the club have been raising funds to send to NGOs to provide relief to Nepalese victims of violence.