In Nepal, the small Himalayan country wedged between giants China and India, the “Gen-Z” has taken to the streets. The youth have two key demands – “the government lifting the ban on social media”, which has now happened, and an end to the “corrupt practices” of public officials. The unrest was triggered by a ban on all social media apps, imposed by Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli during the previous week. Mr. Oli has since resigned and fled the country.
Under Mr. Oli, the government decided to ban 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. According to Kathmandu Post, the ban was imposed after all these platforms failed to comply with a directive to register with the government. The government had allowed only a week for the registration, an impossibly short deadline.
Government officials insist they had long urged social media companies to establish a legal presence in Nepal. They argue that the measure was about (digital) sovereignty and regulation, not censorship. However, critics argue that the ban was premature and heavy-handed, especially since the bill cited in the government order, “Operation, Use, and Regulation of social media in Nepal”, was never passed by the parliament.
These moves fueled public anger, with many young Nepalis accusing the government of curbing free speech under the guise of regulation. The result has been mass protests, vandalism at government buildings, and violent confrontations with police. The parliament was breached on 9 September and set on fire. Several other government buildings in Kathmandu were also set ablaze. The protests, which started on 8 September, initially in Kathmandu but eventually in other parts of the country too, progressed extremely fast, and the government quickly lost control.
Amidst uncertainty, Nepal’s Army Chief has assured the nation of the Army’s commitment to safeguarding its people during ongoing protests. Expressing condolences for the twenty-or-so people already killed, and issuing a stern warning to violent groups, he has called for peaceful resolution of the protests. As of the time of writing this article, though, the chaotic situation continues, especially in the cities of Pokhra and Kathmandu. The protests have even caused major jailbreaks, with 900 inmates escaping unhindered.
The United Nations has offered to mediate, to foster dialogue and support a framework for consensus. The UN appealed to demonstrators to refrain from violence and urged all parties to ensure the protection of fundamental rights. Security forces were also called upon to operate in accordance with human rights standards.
The youth of Nepal is frustrated with corruption, the lavish lifestyles of officials and their kids –routinely exposed due to social media, leading to the Gen-Z term “nepo kids” – but the more important thing they are after is jobs and the prospect of a better life for their generation. Social media has played a complex role in this political fallout –enabling the sharing of news and opinions, thus provides a platform for “freedom of speech”, as promised in most democracies; but also causing a dependence on the “virtual world” and the banned platforms through the smartphone.
The protests may represent a jarring return to reality – the “3D world” – where disillusioned youth, long immersed in online spaces, are now confronting harsh realities face to face. Despite technological and economic progress, South Asian societies remain deeply unequal; the caste system – the Indian (or Hindu) social hierarchy – is deeply woven into Nepalese society as well. Although the protesters and reports about the protests do not directly mention or refer to the word ‘caste’, it is evident that these events also challenge the caste system, which essentially manifests as massive inequality, with a small group controlling resources and hierarchies across generations. This inequality is reinforced by corruption and the phenomenon of ‘nepo kids” – a reference to nepotism, where privilege is sustained and inherited.
This is another South Asian country to have evicted a “democratically elected” leader, following Bangladesh’s youth protests that led to exile then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in July 2024. Is it a kind of “South Asia Spring”, perhaps also including parts of Southeast Asia, as recent unrest in Indonesia indicates? In any case, South Asia countries need to get their act together, and their governments must start acting democratically and in interests of the nation – all its generations and socio-economic strata. Gen-Z is coming of age, and they are discovering how to keep their governments in check.
Manan Shah, based in Ahmedabad, India, currently serves as Operations Lead at FOGGS – Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability. His role centers on research, IT systems, social media outreach, and analysis of governance and global sustainability issues. Manan is passionate about community outreach, climate action, and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, and continues to engage in projects that bridge technology, advocacy, and positive social change.
