Healing Nepal’s Emotional Wounds

The crisis Nepal is going through today is not just political—it has become profoundly emotional. The tragic deaths of students, youth, and ordinary citizens from state bullets, along with the massive destruction of government buildings, schools, private homes, hotels, industries, and businesses, have shaken the very foundation of our society. The scale of anxiety and fear is greater than what we experienced even during the civil war or the 2015 earthquake.

a) From Blame to Healing

At this critical moment, the language of revenge or blame will not heal the nation. What we need is a collective journey of healing. Healing begins with courage—courage to recognize mistakes and to offer genuine apologies. The two major political parties, UML and Congress, who were in power during these tragic events, bear a moral responsibility to publicly apologize. This does not make them weak; instead, it strengthens democracy by showing accountability. Likewise, the security forces, the bureaucracy, and other state institutions must also reflect and express regret for the suffering caused.

b) Reparative Justice as the Path Forward

To recover from such a deep trauma, reparative justice is indispensable. The new government must create and enforce clear mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for killings and destruction. Justice should not be delayed, for delayed justice only deepens wounds. Listening to the victims—families who lost loved ones, and citizens who lost their homes and livelihoods—must be a central priority. Support, both emotional and material, is necessary to restore dignity and hope.

c) Rebuilding Emotionally, Not Just Physically

Most importantly, political parties, as guardians of democracy, must come together to rebuild Nepal—not only physically and economically, but above all, emotionally. Blaming the Gen-Z generation, who initiated a peaceful protest against corruption and the social media ban (a violation of free speech and communication rights), will only inflict lifelong trauma. A generation weighed down by pain and hopelessness cannot build a bright future for the country.

Instead, let us motivate, inspire, and spread hope. Let us show the youth that their courage and voices matter. Healing is not weakness—it is strength. It is the seed from which a just, resilient, and compassionate Nepal can grow.