Various political parties, party leaders and constitutional experts have condemned the Bara incident where Gen Z youths and CPN-UML supporters clashed on Wednesday. They also expressed concerns that if such incidents repeat, how can elections happen that are scheduled to take place on March 5.

The clashes began after Gen Z youths demonstrated when they learned UML leaders were arriving in Simara. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel and leader Mahesh Basnet, among others, were scheduled to attend a function in Parwanipur, prompting the protests. Then, the local youths protested at the Simara airport. After the protests, a plane scheduled to carry both Pokhrel and Basent, among other passengers, could not fly to Simara airport.

After the clashes between the two sides, the Bara administration imposed a curfew in the Simara airport area. But despite the order, the Gen Z youths continued to protest in various parts of the district.

Reacting on the Bara incident, chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli questioned the government’s resolve to hold the elections.

It is hard to believe elections will happen when political parties are not allowed to gather, said Oli.

Referring to the obstruction caused by Gen-Z youths in Simara, he said, “We had a youth gathering in Bara. The Simara Airport was closed. Our leaders were unable to go. They were stopped from going. There was even vandalism allowed at the airport. A group of 50–60 people came, threw stones, and completely shut down the airport. What is this? And then they say they will conduct elections? How can those who do not allow gatherings hold elections?”

Nepali Congress General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma has urged one and all not to engage in politics of negation.

Referring to the Bara incident, Sharma stated that the Simara incident was not as per the spirit of the Gen Z but was rather a misuse of it.

“Gen Z, who stands against the ban on social media, cannot stand against anyone’s right to visit society,” Sharma wrote on X. “Therefore, the Simara incident is not the sentiment of Gen Z; it is a misuse of it. Let’s refrain from engaging in the politics of negation.”

Similarly, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has described the incident at Simara Airport as a sensitive matter. The party also called for the government’s immediate attention to the incident. Party spokesperson Manish Jha said that the party’s position is that any political party should be allowed to organise public events, and the government must ensure necessary security for such events.

“Political parties must be allowed to organise public events in order to create an atmosphere for the elections, and the government must provide necessary security,” Jha said, about the outcome of the meeting. “The incident at Simara today is sensitive. The Rastriya Swatantra Party has serious concerns and demands the government’s immediate attention.”

Constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya has expressed doubts about the possibility of elections taking place if leaders are obstructed from reaching the people.

“If leaders are prevented from attending their own rallies and conferences, and if they are obstructed from reaching their supporters or the public, how can elections take place?” Acharya raises the question. “How can such actions be allowed?”

He also reminded the Gen- Z youths that those in power, particularly the current leaders, should be even more responsible and accountable for their actions.

Acharya further questioned, “Shouldn’t the movement leaders, who are now in power, be even more responsible?” he emphasised. “The Gen-Z brothers and sisters must keep this in mind.”

Meanwhile, Shiva Yadav, Madhesh Province coordinator of the Council of Gen Z, said that they did not obstruct the CPN-UML’s event and had no intention to do so.

He clarified that it was individuals associated with the UML who entered the venue and physically assaulted members of the Gen Z Movement Alliance, including Samrat Upadhyaya, the Bara district coordinator of Gen Z.

Yadav wrote on Facebook, “The Gen Z Bara committee did not obstruct the UML’s programme. In fact, there was a Gen Z event at Simara Chowk today. It was a group of goons, organised by the UML, who entered and attacked Gen Z members, including our Bara coordinator, Samrat Upadhyaya, and other Gen Z representatives.”

Yadav’s statement claims that the Gen Z movement was not involved in any disruption and instead was the victim of an attack by UML supporters.

Yadav further elaborated, “The UML’s event was in Parwanipur. However, UML’s goons came to Simara and humiliated, mistreated, and physically assaulted our Gen Z members. Despite the clear facts, some people tried to spread false information, which is highly misleading, biased, and an attempt to defame the movement.”