A whirlwind 48-hour period in Kathmandu, Nepal, saw a surge of young protesters leading to the downfall of the government and the resignation of the prime minister. The rapid mobilization of Nepal’s youth, primarily through platforms like TikTok and Discord, caught even the activists by surprise. The leaderless movement, driven by anger towards corruption and the ruling class, resulted in iconic government buildings being set on fire.
Seventy-four fatalities were reported, including demonstrators, police officers, and inmates. Subsequently, a new interim prime minister was appointed, an election scheduled for early next year, and a judicial commission formed to investigate the violence during the protests.
The protests were sparked by a government ban on numerous social media platforms but were fueled by deep-seated resentment over the privileged lives of politicians’ children compared to the struggles of the working-class Nepalese youth. The movement highlighted nepotism, corruption, and the lack of opportunities faced by many young people in Nepal.
Utilizing hashtags like #nepokids and #nepobabies, social media played a crucial role in organizing and spreading awareness. TikTok initially mobilized protesters, while Discord emerged as a platform for debating the country’s future leadership, ultimately electing Sushila Karki as the interim prime minister.
This uprising in Nepal is part of a broader trend in South Asia, where younger generations are increasingly challenging entrenched political systems marred by corruption and economic stagnation. Similar protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years have led to the downfall of ruling regimes.
Looking ahead, the Nepalese activists are focused on the upcoming elections and the need for sustained social change. The concerns of online hate and misunderstandings about the movement’s objectives remain, while families in Nepal express a mix of worry and hope for the future.