21 year old Ishan represents the true face of Nepali Youth. Nepal’s median age incidentally is also 21. Ishan is angry. Born and brought up in Kathmandu, he is angry about the country’s situation. He is angry because the politicians, in their pursuit of power and money, have been purposely keeping the country on a path of death and destruction. He has been splashing Red Color on the government buildings to bring to the notice of the world the Bloodbath the government has been engaging in.
Ishan believes the politicians with vested interests are making Nepalis fight with fellow Nepalis. He believes Nepal, as a country, has enough resources to feed all its population. He believes Nepal is beautiful because of its ethnic diversity. We all must recognize the multi-ethnic nature of our society, and respect each other’s unique identity within the ambit of our national identity.
Ishan believes the State of Nepal has indulged in wrongs in the past in pushing a small minority’s dominance subjugating a large part of the population. He believes it was a mistake on the part of the state to deny political rights and respectful status to ethnic minorities over a long time. He appeals to the state of Nepal to apologize to all the aggrieved people of the country for the past wrongs and injustice- particularly to those from the marginalized communities.
Ishan thinks the country has to move on, and focus on the future; and not remain obsessed with the past. Ishan appeals to the youth from all ethnic communities- indeed people from all age groups- to come together and to protect the country we collectively own and belong to.
Ishan made a forty days walk from Chandani (Mahakali) to Kechana (Mechi) through Hulaki Rajmarg – the inner and original highway connecting all of Nepal’s Madhesh. He took this arduous journey to demonstrate his personal repentance to the people of Tarai for the injustice meted out to them by the state of Nepal.
Ishan is on fast-unto-death until his demands (which is the demand of most of the youth of Nepal) are met by the government. He has not been consuming any water or food since 5 PM Sunday, May 22, 2016.
