Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt: Corruption and Foreign Money
A representative image of Nepal protests!
From parliament in flames to anger against corruption and Chinese influence, Nepal’s “Generation Z” protests have pushed the Himalayan nation into political uncertainty with echoes of regional uprisings.
By MANISH ANAND
NEW DELHI, September 9, 2025 — Nepal is once again at a political crossroads. In a dramatic turn of events, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been forced to resign after violent protests swept across the country, leaving at least 19 dead and the Parliament building set ablaze. The scale and spontaneity of the movement — being called a “Generation Z uprising” — has stunned Kathmandu’s political establishment.
This is no ordinary protest. It is Nepal’s “Generation Z moment” — raw, spontaneous, and unforgiving. Students and young citizens have risen not because of social media bans or sudden anger, but because years of corruption, joblessness, and elite betrayal boiled over. The police bullets that killed 19 protesters did not silence the streets — they ignited a firestorm.
Observers are drawing parallels with Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina’s government was toppled by a student-led revolt, and Sri Lanka, where the “Go Gota Go” protests ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In each case, corruption, economic mismanagement, and elite disconnect from ordinary citizens triggered regime change. Nepal’s uprising seems to be following a similar script.
For months, frustration had been simmering among young Nepalis over corruption, unemployment, and the perception that Oli’s government was serving Beijing’s interests rather than the people’s. Anger grew when social media platforms were briefly banned to curb mobilization, further alienating the youth. The final spark came when 19 protesters were killed in police firing, turning discontent into full-scale revolt.
China’s growing footprint in Nepal — from the costly Pokhara airport under the Belt and Road Initiative to proposed rail projects in the Terai region — has deepened suspicions that the ruling elite had become too dependent on Beijing. Many Nepalis saw this as a betrayal of national interests, fuelling a backlash that engulfed Oli’s government.
As Nepal plunges into uncertainty, three scenarios emerge: the formation of an interim government led by opposition veteran Sher Bahadur Deuba, a student-backed transitional authority akin to Bangladesh, or even a revival of the monarchy, with the army’s loyalty tilting towards the crown.
Whatever the outcome, the Himalayan nation has exposed the fragility of its democratic institutions. For a country wedged between India and China, the uprising is not merely a domestic event but a geopolitical flashpoint that could reshape regional dynamics.
What is certain is this: Nepal’s youth have declared that they will no longer tolerate corrupt politicians playing Beijing’s game. The fire in Kathmandu is not just about Oli’s fall — it is a warning that democracy without accountability is no democracy at all.
(This is an opinion piece, and views expressed are those of the author only)
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