Nepal: The Gen Z protests spark crisis, toppling government

Nepal is under a nationwide curfew after massive anti-government protests led by Generation Z activists spiraled into deadly violence, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

While the immediate trigger was the government’s abrupt ban of social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, the demonstrations channeled much deeper frustrations.

The protests were fueled by widespread anger against systemic corruption, political nepotism, and a self-serving elite.

In the weeks prior, a viral “nepo kid” campaign on social media had spotlighted the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children, amplifying public discontent with inequality and graft.

Although the social media ban was quickly reversed, the move backfired, igniting long-simmering tensions.

Peaceful demonstrations organized by Gen Z groups demanding “accountability, transparency, and an end to corruption” were met with a violent police response that left over 20 protesters dead.

This lethal crackdown catalyzed a wider explosion of anger, leading to arson and the storming of parliament.

The Gen Z organizers have since distanced themselves from the vandalism, blaming “opportunist infiltrators” for hijacking their peaceful movement.

With the Prime Minister’s resignation, a power vacuum has left the military attempting to restore order amid the nation’s most severe unrest in decades.