Understanding the Gen Z uprisings in Nepal: Social media bans, corruption scandals, and generational rage
- Kimi
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
In September 2025, large-scale nationwide protests erupted in Nepal, primarily led by university students and young citizens from Generation Z (born 1995–2010). Dubbed the "Generation Z Protests," these movements were initially sparked by the government's blanket ban on several social media platforms, but the underlying catalyst was long-standing public discontent with corruption, the ostentatious displays of wealth by the powerful, and allegations of misappropriation of public funds. As the protests grew in scale, their demands expanded from initial demands for internet freedom to encompass broader issues such as greater transparency in governance and political accountability. The following section explains the key reasons behind this youth-led uprising in Nepal.
The trigger: social media ban
The protests were directly triggered by the government's social media blockade. On September 4, 2025, the Nepali government abruptly shut down 26 social media platforms nationwide, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), WeChat, and LINE, among other popular platforms both domestically and internationally. Officials claimed the move was due to operators failing to register as required, but many citizens viewed it as an attempt to silence online dissent under the guise of compliance. This blanket internet blockade was the final straw that broke the patience of the younger generation, sparking protests by young people across the country within less than a week of the ban taking effect.
Notably, the ban was announced at the same time as the government was pushing a new bill requiring social media platforms to register and submit to regulation in Nepal, strengthening control over online content. Consequently, many young people viewed the ban as a signal that the government was suppressing the voices of the online generation. The social media ban directly ignited resentment among young people, who took to the streets in protests demanding the restoration of internet freedom. Even though the government hastily lifted the ban after the protests erupted, anger had already spread, and the demands of students and young people began to expand from single online issues to dissatisfaction with the political system as a whole.
The accumulated discontent of Nepal's Generation Z: corruption and nepotism
While the protests were ostensibly triggered by a social media blackout, this wave of Generation Z anger stems from years of simmering resentment against government corruption and nepotism. Nepal has been plagued by political turmoil since democratization, with several elderly politicians rotating in power for over a decade. These leaders are widely viewed by younger generations as synonymous with corruption and self-enrichment.
Young people have witnessed the continued concentration of power in the hands of a small elite group of families, and the ostentatious displays of wealth and opulence displayed by the children of prominent political families have fueled public outrage. Observers have noted that many children of high-ranking officials flaunt their lavish lifestyles on social media, including luxury cars, designer handbags, and overseas vacations, creating a stark contrast to the often difficult lives of ordinary Nepalis. In fact, weeks before the ban, platforms like TikTok were abuzz with posts and videos exposing the extravagant lifestyles of "nepo kids." Using hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies, users posted numerous posts and videos contrasting the extravagance of these offspring with the hardships of ordinary Nepalis, generating millions of views.
Young protesters angrily questioned, "Ordinary people suffer in poverty, while the children of the rich and powerful indulge in extravagant spending." For example, Shrinkhala Khatiwada, a former beauty queen (and daughter of a former health minister), frequently boasted online about her international travels and lavish lifestyle, prompting protesters to label her a symbol of elite privilege. During the protests, her family residence was even set on fire, highlighting the growing public anger. Similarly, singer Shivana Shrestha, daughter-in-law of former Prime Minister Deuba, frequently uploaded videos showcasing her luxurious homes and high-end fashions. The granddaughter of former Prime Minister Prachanda sparked a furor by showing off designer bags worth hundreds of thousands of rupees. As these videos and photos went viral, public opinion nationwide condemned the political elite and their children, and protesters even stormed and burned the homes of some of the powerful families.
This shows that corruption and nepotism have caused the younger generation to have deep resentment towards the ruling class, and the social media ban is just the spark that triggers their outburst.
Misappropriation of public funds and economic imbalance
Besides the ostentatious displays of wealth by the powerful, another persistent source of resentment among Nepal's youth is the government's mismanagement of public funds and widespread poverty. Over the years, numerous scandals have surfaced, with few officials held accountable, further fueling public discontent with the legal immunity enjoyed by the powerful. For example, at least $71 million in public funds were embezzled from the Pokhara International Airport project, while another scandal exposed politicians profiting from the illegal sale of resettlement quotas to Bhutanese refugees. However, these major corruption cases have gone unpunished, reinforcing the public's perception of a lack of accountability among the political class.
Furthermore, Nepal's economic difficulties have exacerbated the frustrations of its youth. Official statistics put the youth unemployment rate at over 20%, one of the highest in South Asia. Due to a lack of domestic employment and career prospects, approximately one-third of the country's GDP relies on remittances. Many young people are forced to migrate for work or engage in the informal economy, while those who remain face low wages and unemployment. Those in power, however, are accused of channeling resources towards their own interests, resulting in a chronic underinvestment in education, employment, and other areas, leaving the younger generation with little hope.
Governance crisis and lack of political accountability
The rapid escalation of protests in Nepal stems from a long-standing crisis of governance: a lack of transparency and a leadership that lacks accountability, leading to a loss of public trust in the government. Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, successive governments have rarely ended well—13 in just 15 years, creating a period of volatile political instability. Over the past decade, three elderly men—Oli, Deuba, and Prachanda—have alternated as prime minister, serving a combined 12 times. However, these shifts in power have failed to bring about substantive reforms. Instead, the recurrence of the same people has fostered rumors of nepotism and corruption.
Younger generations are increasingly weary of the rules of the political game, believing that vested interests collude solely for selfish gain, and that incumbents monopolize political and economic resources through nepotism, leading to stagnation in national development. This trust deficit is particularly acute among Generation Z, who have virtually lost faith in traditional political elites and are urgently demanding new governance models and a generational shift in leadership.
As the protests continued, public demands escalated from condemnation of corruption and demands for the restoration of social freedoms to demands for the resignation of the political leadership and even a shift in the political landscape. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding the government take responsibility and provide an explanation, with many even advocating for the dissolution of the current government and the re-establishment of an interim leadership team to thoroughly address the lingering problems.
Nepal's Generation Z protests escalate and Black September
Due to the interplay of these factors, the Generation Z protests in Nepal escalated into one of the most serious unrests in decades. Starting on September 8th, large numbers of students, dressed in school and university uniforms, took to the streets, gathering in cities including the capital, Kathmandu, chanting anti-corruption slogans. Initially peaceful, the demonstrations quickly spiraled out of control as police attempted to forcefully disperse them. Young protesters broke through lines and set fire to numerous government buildings and political residences, including the Parliament building, ministerial residences, and even luxury hotels in tourist hotspots. The New Nadupal Administrative Building, a symbol of national power, was engulfed in flames, a scene that shocked the nation.
Police resorted to tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and even live ammunition in an attempt to suppress the protests, resulting in numerous casualties. By September 11, dozens of protesters had been killed and over a thousand injured. The bloodshed of young protesters fueled even greater anger, and the wave of protests spread further across the country.
Under immense pressure, the ruling party finally yielded. On the afternoon of September 9th, Prime Minister Oli, who had been in office for only six months, announced his resignation, along with several of his cabinet ministers. Upon the news, the streets of Kathmandu erupted in cheers of "We won!" Young people, waving national flags and defying curfew, took to the streets to celebrate and mourn their fallen comrades. However, the prime minister's resignation did not immediately quell the protests. Many protesters insisted that their struggle would not cease until a truly accountable and honest new government was established.
Nepal's parliament is currently paralyzed, leaving a power vacuum in the government, forcing the military to enforce a curfew in the capital and other areas to maintain basic order. This unrest, which has shaken the small South Asian nation and has been dubbed "Black September" by the media, is the most severe social unrest to hit Nepal since the end of the civil war. It highlights the young generation's profound disillusionment with the old political system and their determination to eradicate corruption and rebuild a new order of transparency and justice.
Conclusion
In summary, the Generation Z uprising in Nepal is not a sudden, impulsive event, but the inevitable result of long-standing structural problems. On the surface, the social media ban ignited the flames of protest, but deeper down, years of accumulated corruption, nepotism, and widening income inequality are the main explosives in the powder keg. Through this movement, young people are expressing their deep dissatisfaction with government dysfunction and lack of accountability, and demanding change. Their outcry demonstrates the young generation's desire for transparency, fairness, and opportunity, and serves as a reminder to those in power: if they fail to address institutional ills and respond to the people's demands, even the smallest spark could ignite a larger-scale storm. This youth uprising in the Himalayan foothills is writing a new chapter for Nepal's democracy and future, and is also a wake-up call for other countries that intergenerational justice and accountability reforms cannot be ignored.
