A social media campaign on TikTok exposing the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children became a rallying cry for Nepal’s youth, culminating in a nationwide revolt that has claimed 19 lives and forced the prime minister’s resignation. The protests demonstrate the powerful role of social media in mobilizing dissent against entrenched political corruption and economic inequality.
For weeks, videos contrasting the luxury possessions of the political elite with the struggles of ordinary citizens circulated widely, fanning the flames of public discontent. The government’s decision to ban social media was perceived as a direct attempt to silence this growing online criticism. This act of censorship backfired spectacularly, driving the digitally-savvy younger generation from their screens onto the streets.
The protests, initially focused on digital rights, quickly morphed into a broader movement against the government. The high youth unemployment rate of 20% and a series of unaddressed corruption scandals provided a deep well of anger for the demonstrators to draw from. The movement has been dubbed the “protest of Gen Z,” highlighting the generational frustration with a political system they feel has failed them.
The government’s violent crackdown only served to galvanize the protesters further, leading to the worst civil unrest in decades. Now, even with the prime minister gone and the ban lifted, the movement continues to demand more. They are calling for the dissolution of the current government, mirroring similar youth-led uprisings in neighboring countries that have successfully toppled established regimes.