Gen Z uprising in Nepal following pattern seen earlier in other SAARC countries

After enduring decades of political turmoil, corruption, and economic inequality, the Gen Z uprising in Nepal allegedly stemmed from long-standing grievances among the country's youth, who constitute a large segment of the population with a median age of around 25. 

Watch Bhupendra Chaubey decipher what went wrong:

Rampant unemployment, nepotism in public appointments, and the ostentatious wealth of political elites displayed online allegedly fuelled resentment for years. The average Nepali income hovers near $1,400 per year (about 1 lakh 98 thousand Nepali Rupya), sharply contrasting with the lavish lifestyles of leaders' families. Social media trends exposing these disparities were seen as threats by the authorities. 

Led by Gen Z students and young professionals (people born in the 21st century), the movement demanded transparency, accountability, and better job prospects.

Organisations like Hami Nepal, under activist Sudan Gurung, were instrumental in coordinating efforts through alternative networks once mainstream platforms were restricted.

The spark: Social media ban

The catalyst for the Gen Z uprising in Nepal was the government's sudden ban on 26 social media platforms on 4 September. These included Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat, which were blocked for not complying with new registration rules from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Critics labelled this a ploy to stifle online corruption and fund mismanagement critiques.

With high internet penetration in South Asia—about 90% of Nepal's 30 million people are online—the ban disrupted communication, news, and commerce. Disillusioned youth, already frustrated with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's coalition, viewed it as an attack on free speech.

Encrypted apps spread calls to protest, leading thousands to assemble in Kathmandu at sites like Maitighar Mandala and near parliament by 8 September, demanding reforms and an end to the digital suppression.

Escalation and violence

Peaceful gatherings turned violent on 8 September during the Gen Z uprising in Nepal. Demonstrators tried to enter the federal parliament, prompting police to use tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition.

At least 19 people died that day, with over 300 injured, many treated at hospitals like Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

The forceful response amplified outrage, evolving the protests into a wider anti-government surge. Curfews were enforced in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other cities, but defied by crowds clashing with security in areas like Koteshwor.

The ban was revoked that evening under pressure, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down, but these measures failed to pacify the movement. Restored social media broadcasted images of the violence, sparking global outcry and boosting mobilisation. Protests spread to Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and beyond.

Government collapse: Fires and resignations

The Gen Z uprising in Nepal peaked on 9 September, forcing Prime Minister Oli to resign and seek safety in an army barracks.

Despite urging his Communist Party allies to resist, the momentum proved unstoppable, as the youth, hitherto indifferent to politics, suddenly seemed extremely concerned about democracy in their country.

Furious protesters torched key government sites, including Singha Durbar (housing parliament and ministries), the Supreme Court, the president's residence at Sital Niwas, and Oli's home at Baluwatar. Offices of the UML and Nepali Congress parties were set ablaze, too, along with residences of former prime ministers like Sher Bahadur Deuba, Jhala Nath Khanal, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda).

Chaos ensued as demonstrators stormed prisons in Kailali and Kaski, freeing inmates. By evening, the Nepali Army, led by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, took control, deploying troops to quell the disorder. Sigdel called for dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Current situation and future implications

As of 10 September, Kathmandu's streets remain volatile, with army patrols enforcing a fragile calm. Early arrests targeted alleged agitators, while sporadic raids on buildings continued, with reports of seized weapons.

Kathmandu's independent mayor, Balendra Shah, has gained prominence, likely influencing a transitional setup. General Sigdel addressed the nation, advocating restraint and negotiations.

Casualties now total 23 deaths and over 400 injuries, with economic repercussions including Tribhuvan International Airport's closure and flight diversions.

Globally, the upheaval has heightened South Asian stability concerns, prompting India to evacuate nationals.

The uprising underscores a generational demand for jobs, dignity, and equitable development beyond corruption. It may spur constitutional changes or monarchy restoration calls amid parallel pro-monarchy demonstrations.

The days ahead will reveal if this fosters enduring reform or prolonged instability.

Is the 'deep state' involved?

The Gen Z uprising in Nepal betrays a troubling pattern observed in recent South Asian unrest, where seemingly contained protests erupted into uncontrollable chaos, leading to regime changes. In Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis, public fury over corruption and shortages spiralled into the storming of government buildings, forcing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee.

Similarly, Bangladesh's 2024 student-led quota protests against Sheikh Hasina's government escalated into violence, culminating in her resignation and exile amid accusations of authoritarianism.

In Pakistan, Imran Khan's ouster in 2022 followed his repeated insinuations of US efforts to destabilise his administration. He defied advice from Pakistani Army officers who cautioned against antagonising Washington. Khan claimed a US-orchestrated conspiracy, backed by leaked diplomatic cables suggesting American pressure for his removal due to his neutral stance on Russia-Ukraine issues.

Adding to the intrigue, Sheikh Hasina alleged that her downfall stemmed from refusing US demands for control over St Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal, purportedly for a military base to counter regional influences.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka fell under China's vice-like grip through debt obligations, resulting in the 99-year lease of Hambantota Port to Beijing after failing to repay loans, often cited as a classic debt-trap scenario.

These interconnected events—youth-driven uprisings, sudden escalations, and geopolitical accusations—appear evidence of US deep state involvement in engineering regime changes across South Asia. 

Analysts suggest this strategy aims to counter China's growing footprint, as seen in Nepal's protests amid US-China proxy tensions. This raises an alarm about external manipulations destabilising the region, potentially reshaping alliances and sovereignty in favour of American interests.