Karan Kulung, 18, a student who participated in a Gen-Z protest, pose for a picture in front of an burnt bus as he takes part in a cleaning campaign following Monday’s deadly anti-corruption protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, September 10, 2025 | Photo Credit: NAVESH CHITRAKAR
The youth of Nepal frustrated with their political elite and the perceived lavish lifestyle of their wards took to social media with 2 hashtags, #nepobabies, #nepokids in ‘TikTok’ for over 2 years now. The movement gained momentum recently as these tags became popular in the more used social-media platforms like ‘Instagram’, ‘Facebook’, ‘X’, etc.
These tags were used to highlight the alienation of the political elite and their kids from the average Nepali. The imported accessories, cars and general opulence shared by the so-called nepokids started going viral in the various social media sites for the past two months or so.
On 4th September, Nepal government blocked 26 social platforms on the ground of non-compliance with government directives. Interestingly, ‘TikTok’ was not banned. The Nepal government said that the ban was done for national security. Since long, the government has been trying to put checks and balances on these apps to stop fake news, misinformation, hate speech, etc.
However, the public response was the opposite. These platforms were the only sanctums of truth for them; now even that was being challenged.
The 26 banned apps were not just a means of expression but also of earning for a large chunk of Nepali youth, who used these to either promote their small businesses or earned from content creation.
Main causes behind the protest were economic stagnation, emigration of youth to do menial jobs in foreign soil and political stagnation (Just 3 PMs, K.P. Sharma Oli of CPN(UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepali Congress, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ~Prachanda of CPN(MC) have been sharing Nepal amongst themselves for about 30 years). The political stagnation of the same three people playing musical chair, while at the same time consistent political turmoil with almost no government completing their full term, created a breeding ground for a unique case of corruption and nepotism.
The immediate trigger is however definitely the social media ban.
A 36-year-old called ‘Sudan Gurung’ founder of an NGO called ‘Hami Nepal’ engaged in humanitarian relief works, gave a call on ‘Discord’ (a niche platform, popular among gamers), and got permission to organise a protest in Kathmandu on 8th Sep. This outfit organised the banners, posters, dos and don’ts for the protest through Discord. The protest was categorically defined as peaceful. Students were asked to bring books, bags and water bottles with them. All parties and their student wings were asked to refrain from participating.
However, the word of the protest got out from this small circle through TikTok, which later on reached an even larger audience of the banned apps through VPNs.
On 8th September, thousands flocked to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan. The Kathmandu protest continued till 9th Sep. in Maltigarh Chowk. From there they marched towards New Baneshwar chanting “K.P. Chor Desh Chodh”(Asking the P.M. K.P. Sharma Oli to leave the country).
Here, students claim that while they were marching, the police suddenly opened fire on them. The government claims there were anti-social elements within the march, who forced police to open fire.
This generates the chaos that has been widely reported. The mob disperses into 5-6 splinters. Few of them ran towards the parliament, forcing its gates and walls. Others started clashing with security personnel. While rest fled. Initial reports were 19 dead, hundreds injured, some gravely with gunshot wounds in head and heart.
The army has now taken charge. An interim government is to be formed, which is expected to hold fresh elections with the cooperation of all political parties.
The students wanted a clean and able administrator. Initial choice for Prime Minister include Balendra Shah (Kathmandu mayor), former chief justice Sushila Karki (cannot become PM due to constitutional provision) and Kulman Ghising (credited with solving Nepal’s Loadshedding crisis).
Nepal is likely to continue its almost unbroken history of political instability, but this is unlikely to bode major challenges to its neighbours. Rising awareness among the citizenry is a double-edged sword for the host country. However, On one hand it can generate a vibrant democracy with respect for all, on the other it can lead to mass rebellion like the one witnessed recently.
Yes and no. Yes, because the demands are similar a better democracy, lesser corruption, breaking up the hold of the entrenched political elite). The primary agitators are similar --teenagers, students, young adults. The outcome is also similar -- ouster of incumbent, targeting of politically affiliated, general lawlessness, arson, etc
No because Bangladesh protests went on for months, Nepal’s lasted merely days. Bangladesh protest turned political midway through – it was initially against student quota, but about a month later it turned into a movement against Sheikh Hasina and her perceived closeness to India. Nepal protesters on the other hand favour India, and perceived K.P. Sharma Oli as China’s puppet. The situation has already been almost resolved in Nepal. Unless some untoward development takes place, one can expect Nepal to disappear from news in a month or so as is usually the case.
Published on September 11, 2025
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