In a dramatic political development, Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has reportedly been selected by the country’s Gen Z-led protest movement to head an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
According to Nepalese media reports, Karki’s name was finalized during a virtual meeting of the Gen Z movement on Wednesday. Other prominent names considered were Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and former electricity authority chief Kulman Ghising, but protesters eventually reached a consensus on Karki, 73, to lead the country through the transition.
Political Crisis and Curfew
Nepal plunged into turmoil after massive student-led protests forced PM Oli to step down earlier this week. The Nepal Army was deployed to restore order, and a nationwide curfew was imposed on Wednesday as protests intensified for the second consecutive day.
Who is Sushila Karki?
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Trailblazer: Karki became Nepal’s first female Chief Justice in July 2016, serving until June 2017.
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Reformer: Known for her zero-tolerance policy against corruption during her tenure.
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Academic Roots in India: Born on June 7, 1952, in Biratnagar, Karki holds a BA from Mahendra Morang Campus, an MA in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) (1975), and a Law degree from Tribhuvan University (1978).
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Judicial Career: Appointed ad-hoc Supreme Court judge in 2009, became permanent judge in 2010, and was briefly suspended as CJ in 2017 after an impeachment motion against her.
India Connection and Remarks on PM Modi
In an interview with News18, Karki expressed her warm regard for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi:
“I greet Modi ji. I have a good impression about Modi ji… There is such a good relationship between the people of Nepal and the people of India. We have so much goodwill, love.”
She fondly recalled her student days at BHU, the river Ganga, and sleeping on the terrace of her hostel during summer nights.
On bilateral ties, she said while governments may have policy differences, “India has helped Nepal at all times… When utensils are kept together, they make some sound. It happens.”
Karki also reassured that law and order in Nepal is now being restored, adding that justice would be provided to the families of those who died during the protests.
