Kathmandu, May 13 -- On May 2, a group of people gathered at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu's de facto public protest square, to demonstrate against what they called the government's "inhuman" treatment of landless squatters. As part of the demonstration, they recited a poem.

The refrain of the poem-"Garibako Chameli boldine koi chhaina" (There is no one to speak for the poor), borrowed from the old Nepali song 'Chameli'-was unmistakable.

Clips of the song have lately circulated widely across social media platforms, used both as satire and protest against Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as "Balen."

The day before, on May 1, activists staged a musical protest at the same square, singing a parody version:

"Balendralai sunmat...