by Raghu Ghimire
This paper on the recent GenZ revolt in Nepal was presented during a recent regional forum, ‘Can generational movements end systemic corruption? Lessons from Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines.’ It depicts some vital aspects of the recent Gen-Z uprising in Nepal, including its root cause, unusual planning, short execution, quick outputs and possibility of agenda-hijacking and, future outlook. It is based on personal experience, observation, consultations, media reviews, and social research.
Radicalization and Planning
Decades of systemic corruption, scandals, injustice, impunity, and widening inequality ignited a powder keg of fury in Nepal. Law enforcement agencies and the judiciary were perceived as weaponry abused against the citizens, while the ruling elite, parliamentarians, and bureaucrats seemed more interested in plundering public resources than serving the nation. The stark contrast between the privileged ‘Nepo-kids‘ flaunting their wealth and the struggling masses was further fueling public discontent for a long while.
One after another, the old incompetent establishment seemed more engaged in plundering public resources than serving the people. Multiple layers of taxation, bribery, and penalties had drained the citizens’ lifeblood, while public property and land were grabbed by the ruling class. Proposed draconian media regulation attempted to silence pro-public voices.
Dangerous Nexus between or among political top brass, business and corporate entities, media, judiciary, and corrupt bureaucrats, linked with external power centers, was working covertly, at times even overtly, as deep state. The last Oli Government was the worst of all.
Protest turned into Revolt
The government’s decision to impose a social media ban was the final straw, triggering a massive Protest Plan for September 8, 2025. Thousands of young Nepalese, led by the Gen-Z, took to the streets, denouncing corruption, censorship, and bad governance. The protest turned violent, triggering a massive social revolt the next day, resulting in:
- 75 deaths and over 2,113 injuries (mostly on the 1st day), when the curfew imposed was disobeyed,
- Government headquarters, prime minister’s office, presidential building, police posts, judicial courts and corrupt public service-outlets were torched,
- Elite residences were targeted and billions of currency notes were destroyed,
- Thousands of public-private vehicles were ablazed,
- Nationwide eruption of revolt on a massive scale was uncontrolled, while,
- Police forces ran away from duty, and the military force was confined within the barracks.
Virtual Coordination and Smart Networking
Since the intelligent planning and coordination were done by youngsters using social media platforms, digital applications, and mapping and virtual networking, it was great excitement and curiosity in the beginning. These guys and girls were using non-classical methods of protest preparation and execution. They used Discord, TikTok, Instagram, GIS and Facebook, Hashtags(#), Memes(asl), trolls, among others. These platforms helped transform individual feelings and pain into collective consciousness. They even developed their own software applications for safety and confidentiality, and to use as a realtime communication channel to the street and back. All efforts were virtual but proved very instrumental.
An Israel-based cyber intelligence firm, Cyabra said “Coordinated fake accounts spread narratives reaching over 326 million potential viewers worldwide. These accounts promoted extreme and confrontational content across platforms, including X, Facebook, and TikTok.”
Around 163 thousand youngsters were connected in Discord and the house locations of targeted leaders were tracked in an App. Local GenZ were formed all over the cities and grouped for action with a separate timetable for each street protest nationwide. It was updated while the protest turned into a revolt on the next day, the 9th of September 2025. Real-time information was flown to and from the streets for striking locations. The nomination for a new prime minister was carried out using a digital voting system (digital democracy!) in Discord, among them, and finalized to be true. When the intended actions were completed, all the Apps were carefully destroyed.
Unlike Nepal’s past political movements or elsewhere around the world, the Gen Z revolution was not designed in party offices, roundtables or tea shops, but was rather born online, in the glare of smartphone screens through social media and digital networks. It is a significant departure in Nepal’s socio-political movement, where digital tools empower and drive the young to challenge the deep-rooted political culture of rampant injustice.
Outcome and Uncertainty Loom
The aftermath of the protests has left Nepal in uncertainty. The government has lifted the social media ban and the Prime Minister and Home Minister have resigned. An interim government is formed out of the box, promising to restore peace, governance and a fresh early election. Ousted PM and key political figures were airlifted to an unknown location by the Nepal Army for safety reasons.
A leaderless revolt led by the Gen Z community won the street battle but they lost in its institutionalization.
Thus, questions linger about:
- Accountability for past injustices, impunity
- Governance and the future of Nepal’s new republic
- Foreign intervention and potential civil unrest
It has widely been feared that the outcome of the mere early periodic election will revive the same old political cycle and status quo!
Agenda Hijacking
Nepali socio-politico pundits are now arguing and counter-arguing about the possible hijack of this revolt by foreign powers. As in the past, for a weaker nation like Nepal with its strategic geographic location, the power-play can’t be ruled out either. This time, the powerful national NGOs, heavily funded by International Agencies from the West, namely– Soros Foundation, NED, Open Society Foundation, IRI, MCC– are the talking points in Nepal and abroad. This revolt badly exposed them but could not destroy them at the root. Thus, a section of the deep state is suspected of hijacking the revolt towards an unwanted direction.
The Arab Spring revolutions largely failed to end autocracy and bring meaningful changes. The fate of Nepal could be found a foot further to civil war!
The non-classical, technology-dominated, young generation-led social revolt, marked by its ferocity and brevity, has left many wondering about the road ahead.
The Take Away
This time, not any political ideologues, not even a socialist or Marxist Movement is surging across the globe. What enabled the GenZ to drive the surges these days that could topple governments or prove themselves they are a power that shook the world in a way that has never been seen previously on this massive scale in many countries nearly simultaneously? But for now, Gen Z’s moment endures as both a warning and a lesson. The Gen Z uprising lacked a coherent ideological framework or organizational structure, without a team of accepted leadership, leaving the same political elites and corrupt systems intact. Once the protests subsided resulted in temporary victories rather than systemic transformation.
- A prime minister resigned, but another politician from the same mould may replace her after the new election. Social media bans were reversed, but the state establishment still retains its appetite for control. Nepal missed the opportunity to learn from the vast lessons that our human history has produced out of the past uprisings and revolts.
- All global surges and upheavals, which include Nepal, prove that people are getting connected more than ever before. And it is the Technology that has been a great connector for the first time in the history of Homo-sapiens on this planet Earth.
- For wider neighborhoods, the lesson is serious: when institutions hollow out and elites retreat into privilege, no amount of rhetoric can suppress the eventual consequence—good or bad!
- Importance of Strong Institutions: Active citizens can force change, but only strong institutions can sustain it. Nepal’s experience highlights the need for robust institutions that can withstand political turmoil and ensure long-term stability.
- Police Reforms, Civic Education, and Human Rights: The excessive use of force by security personnel during the protests underscores the need for police reforms and adherence to human rights. Ensuring that law enforcement agencies are accountable, transparent, and trained to respond proportionately to protests is crucial. School curricula need to incorporate civic education.
- Youth are a powerful force for change: Their energy and idealism can drive movements and bring attention to critical issues. There is a need for youth engagement in politics.
Thank you!!
Kathmandu, Oct 28, 2025
*This paper was presented in a regional forum themed ‘Can generational movement end systemic corruption: lessons from Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines’ held on Oct 28, 2025.
References:
a. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/world/asia/nepal-protests-nepo-kids-social-media.html
b. Gen Z Nonviolent Movement to Revolution against Corruption in Nepal by Bishnu Pathak – TRANSCEND Media Service
d. 2025 Nepalese Gen Z Protests by Ethan Teekah, Editor, Encyclopedia Britannica
