Nepal in convulsion, Gen Z driven

This time it was the Himalayan Republic of Nepal. 

When the youth of Nepal took to the streets on September 8, it wasn’t just a protest—it was a generational earthquake. Kathmandu’s skies lit up with flames, party offices were reduced to ashes, ministers resigned, were beaten in public, and the government crumbled within days. What began as online outrage over social media bans and political nepotism snowballed into South Asia’s latest cautionary tale, echoing the fury of Sri Lanka’s street uprisings and Bangladesh’s election chaos.

The Himalayan republic has just lived through days that will be etched in its political memory for decades. The capital’s streets—normally buzzing with tourists, vendors, and office-goers—were instead filled with burning vehicles, angry chants, and waves of young protesters. A new class of Nepali youth refusing to accept politics as usual.

Gen Z versus the Old Guard

At the heart of the turmoil lies a frustrated, digital-native generation. Their priorities are starkly different from the political elite who have dominated Nepal since the monarchy’s fall: jobs, accountability, free expression, and an end to entrenched dynasties. The government’s sudden move to block platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube in early September struck directly at their way of life. This starkly contrasted with the struggles of ordinary Nepali youth facing a 20% unemployment rate and the need to seek work abroad. The social media ban was thus seen as a direct attack on the very channels through which this frustration was being voiced. Already angry about nepotism—symbolized by the “nepo kids” debates—Gen Z turned their keyboards into megaphones, and soon, their feet into marching power.

From Outrage to Arson

What started as peaceful demonstrations quickly turned combustible. On September 8, tens of thousands gathered in Kathmandu, demanding that the bans be reversed and corruption tackled. But when police tried to disperse the swelling crowds, stones flew, barricades fell, and chaos unfolded. The capital witnessed scenes of outright plunder—government buildings stormed, vehicles torched, ruling party offices set ablaze. 

The state’s heavy-handed response—rubber bullets, water cannons, and even live fire—only widened the rift. The violence spread to Pokhara, Biratnagar, and other cities. Within 72 hours, the crisis had escalated from a hashtag revolt to the collapse of an elected government.

A Regional Echo

It isn’t too long ago when in Colombo in 2022, Sri Lankans overran the presidential palace as economic collapse fuelled rage. In Dhaka, contested elections in 2024–25 brought tens of thousands onto the streets, with similar clashes, arson, and deaths. The similarities are striking: elite arrogance, sudden public mobilization, and state violence that only deepens alienation.

But Nepal’s upheaval is unique in one aspect—it is the first major South Asian political convulsion truly driven by Gen Z, organized online, leaderless yet loud, and unafraid to confront a state long dominated by patronage networks.

Foreign Powers and India’s Dilemma

In moments of instability, China has called for stability, Western governments for restraint and accountability. India, Nepal’s closest partner, finds itself in a delicate spot.

New Delhi’s first instinct was to protect its citizens as MEA issuied advisories, opening helplines, and flying out stranded nationals. Prime Minister Modi appealed for peace but stopped short of taking sides. For India, the dilemma is sharp: support for Nepal’s stability is vital for security, trade, and the open border, but overt interference risks stoking anti-India sentiment among a newly assertive youth.

Lessons for South Asia

Nepal’s unrest offers sobering lessons for the region. First, censorship and heavy-handed crackdowns are no longer effective tools; they often trigger the very explosion leaders seek to avoid. Second, neglecting youth aspirations is perilous—today’s students and job seekers are tomorrow’s voters, but also today’s protesters. Third, corruption and dynastic privilege remain the deepest fault lines across South Asia, capable of uniting otherwise fragmented populations.

For Nepal, the road ahead must involve more than cosmetic changes. A new political compact—one that acknowledges Gen Z as stakeholders, ensures accountability, and protects free expression—is the only way to restore trust. For neighbors like India, the task is to encourage this transition quietly, assist in stabilization, but resist the temptation to manage Nepal’s politics.

Loud message

The flames that lit up Kathmandu’s skies were more than just a protest—they were a generational declaration. Just as Sri Lanka’s collapsing economy and Bangladesh’s contested elections rattled their systems, Nepal’s youth-led revolt has sent a warning across South Asia: ignore the young at your peril.