Protesters seen setting Nepal’s parliament building on fire. (Viral photo via X)
New Delhi: Nepal witnessed its most significant political upheaval in decades as Generation Z (or Gen Z) protesters forced the prime minister, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, to resign and flee the country on Tuesday, following unprecedented street violence that claimed 23 lives and injured over 400 people. The crisis, initially triggered by a social media ban but rooted in deeper grievances against corruption and nepotism, marks the third major youth-led uprising in South Asia following Sri Lanka’s 2022 Aragalaya movement and Bangladesh’s 2024 student revolution.
The dramatic scenes of protesters storming government buildings and writing “We won” on parliament walls represent more than a temporary political crisis – they signal a generational transformation challenging traditional power structures across the subcontinent, with profound implications for India’s neighbourhood policy and regional stability.
Digital blackout sparks street revolution
The immediate catalyst came on September 4, when Nepal’s government banned 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat, for failing to register under new communication ministry regulations. For a digitally connected population with a median age of 25, this represented a direct assault on their primary means of communication and economic opportunity.
The ban gained particular resonance because it was perceived as targeting the viral “Nepo Kid” trend, which had been exposing the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children while ordinary Nepalis struggled with an average annual income of just $1,400. With nearly one social media account for every two people – among the highest ratios in South Asia – the digital blackout struck at the heart of how young Nepalis communicate and organize.
What began as peaceful demonstrations on September 8 rapidly escalated when tens of thousands of protesters, many still in school uniforms, gathered at Maitighar Mandala and near the country’s parliament building in Kathmandu. The turning point came when police opened fire on crowds attempting to breach parliament barricades, killing 19 people on the first day alone. Rather than quelling unrest, the violent crackdown intensified protests, with demonstrators declaring they would not be deterred by government brutality.
Authority collapses
By Tuesday, September 9, protesters had stormed and set fire to key government institutions, including the parliament building, the prime minister’s residence, the president’s office, and homes of senior political leaders. The symbolic destruction extended to party headquarters and the supreme court, representing complete rejection of Nepal’s political establishment.
Many politicians were chased by mobs and attacked, including a former prime minister. According to some reports, former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal’s wife Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar died after their house was set on fire. Reports said the incident occurred in Dallu where protesters reportedly trapped Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar and set the house on fire. Chitrakar was rescued from the fire later and rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in critical condition. However, she succumbed to her injuries.
In the last two days, Nepali Army helicopters evacuated ministers to safety as government control effectively collapsed. The violence spread beyond Kathmandu to cities including Itahari, Pokhara, and Biratnagar, making this a truly nationwide uprising driven by underlying grievances that went far beyond social media access.
Youth unemployment at 20 per cent, an economy dependent on remittances accounting for 33 per cent of GDP, and the annual departure of over 400,000 Nepalis seeking work abroad had created what analysts termed a “quiet rebellion” of mass emigration that now exploded into loud revolt on the streets.
Military intervention
Facing mounting pressure and unable to restore order, Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing the “adverse situation in the country” and stepping down to “facilitate the solution to the problem”. Several factors forced his hand: the home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, had already resigned taking moral responsibility for deaths; multiple other ministers followed suit; and crucially, the Nepal army chief, Ashok Sigdel, reportedly advised Oli that stability could only be achieved through his resignation.
With civilian authority collapsed, the Nepal army took unprecedented action on Wednesday, assuming control of nationwide security operations and imposing prohibitory orders in major cities. Tanks patrolled streets littered with burnt vehicles and debris as military leaders warned against activities that could lead the country into further unrest.
The president, Ram Chandra Poudel, has initiated talks with protest leaders while attempting to form an interim government. Over 3,000 young Nepalis are reportedly using messaging platforms like Discord to coordinate demands including dissolution of parliament, fresh elections within six months, direct election of the prime minister, and term limits for political leaders.
South Asian pattern of youth uprisings
Nepal’s crisis follows a striking pattern established by Sri Lanka’s 2022 Aragalaya movement and Bangladesh’s 2024 protests. All three movements began with specific triggers – economic collapse in Sri Lanka, job quota disputes in Bangladesh, social media bans in Nepal – but evolved into broader anti-corruption campaigns led by digitally savvy youth.
The tactical similarities are remarkable: use of social media for organization despite government restrictions, occupation of symbolic government buildings, and sustained pressure until political leadership collapsed. In each case, violent government responses backfired by radicalizing movements and expanding public support.
The “Nepo Kid” phenomenon that sparked Nepal’s protests echoes similar resentment against political dynasties visible across the region. Young populations increasingly reject the legitimacy of leaders who inherit rather than earn political power, demanding accountability from governments they perceive as corrupt and unresponsive.
India’s restrained response
India’s initial response was notably measured, reflecting lessons learned from previous neighbourhood interventions. The External Affairs Ministry expressed sadness at the “loss of many young lives” while calling for all parties to “exercise restraint and address issues through peaceful means”, contrasting sharply with more interventionist approaches during previous Nepal crises.
Border security was enhanced along the 1,770-kilometer open frontier, with the Sashastra Seema Bal instructed to carefully check cross-border movement. Intelligence sources indicate close monitoring to prevent spillover of anti-government sentiment that could inspire similar protests among India’s youth, leading to increased surveillance of student groups and civil society organizations.
The concern reflects recognition that India faces many underlying issues – youth unemployment, corruption, frustrated aspirations – that have driven uprisings in neighbouring countries. Opposition parties have already begun drawing parallels, warning the government to address systemic problems before they explode into unrest.
Regional power dynamics
Nepal’s instability occurs amid intensifying India-China competition for influence across South Asia. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has established significant presence in Nepal through infrastructure projects, and prolonged instability could increase Kathmandu’s dependence on Beijing. The timing is particularly sensitive given recent tensions over the Lipulekh border dispute.
For India, the crisis presents both risks and opportunities. Immediate concerns include border security, regional stability, and preventing Chinese exploitation of Nepal’s weakness. However, the upheaval also offers India a chance to rebuild relationships on more sustainable foundations emphasizing democratic values and institutional cooperation rather than dependence on individual leaders.
The pattern of initial Indian support for authoritarian figures – Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka, Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, KP Sharma Oli in Nepal – followed by their dramatic collapse has repeatedly left India scrambling to rebuild relationships with successor regimes. Strategic analysts advocate for a more sophisticated approach emphasizing people-to-people ties and institutional relationships rather than concentrating exclusively on ruling establishments.
Generational transformation
Nepal’s Gen Z uprising represents more than temporary political turbulence – it signals fundamental change in how political legitimacy is established and maintained across South Asia. The movement’s success in toppling an entrenched leader demonstrates the power of digital-age youth activism while highlighting the fragility of systems that lack genuine popular support.
Whether Nepal emerges as a more stable, democratic partner or descends into prolonged instability will significantly influence South Asian political trajectories. The broader lesson from Nepal, following Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, is that the region has entered an era where political authority must be earned through performance rather than inherited through dynastic succession or maintained through authoritarian control.
South Asia’s youth are no longer willing to accept the failures of previous generations. Their movements represent both rejection of corrupt governance and demand for accountability – aspirations that ultimately align with democratic values but challenge established power structures across the region.
India’s response, balancing non-interference with constructive engagement, will determine not only bilateral relations but also its credibility as a regional democratic leader facing its own internal challenges and youth aspirations. The path forward requires strategic patience, institutional thinking, and recognition that sustainable influence comes through partnership rather than hegemony.
Editor’s note: The analysis in this news article is based on reports from government sources, diplomatic channels, and regional media coverage of the ongoing crisis in Nepal.
Follow us on social media for quick updates, new photos, videos, and more.
X: https://twitter.com/indiasentinels
Facebook: https://facebook.com/indiasentinels
Instagram: https://instagram.com/indiasentinels
YouTube: https://youtube.com/indiasentinels
© India Sentinels 2025-26
