In early September, young protesters and activists took to the streets of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and other cities across the country. These demonstrations are showing there may be a growing bid for revolution in the Himalayan nation.
After the Nepalese government imposed a broad social media ban, mass protests began on Sept. 8. By Sept. 9, the demonstrations had resulted in the burning of government offices and the parliament building. Protesters posed in front of the buildings in flames, making many viral moments, a way Gen Z made this demonstration theirs.
The social media ban was implemented to silence dissent over economic and governmental dysfunction. Outrage mounted over limited opportunities in the domestic economy. This has led to one of the highest rates of unemployment in South Asia, at over 10 percent according to the CIA World Factbook. Frustration also grew over continuous political instability since the decline of the monarchy in 2001, and the construction of a new constitution in 2008, which saw allegations of corruption and nepotism within its members, according to the US Department of State.
By the second day of protesting, the ban was lifted and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned. Nevertheless, protests continued, and on Sept. 10 a nationwide curfew was put in place by the national army. Sept. 22 say that the violence has left 74 dead and more than 2,113 injured.
On Sept. 12, the new interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, was elected through the instant messaging platform, Discord, where over 145,000 people voted. The use of a social platform for governmental proceedings was an innovative move by the Gen Z protesters, one that shows the changing tide of the world.
Karki’s election has been seen as a victory for the people of Nepal over corruption and mistreatment. She has shown her commitment to gaining public trust through honesty and transparency by investigating the killings and destruction during the protests and creating a Reconstruction Fund. Karki has successfully gained widespread support within Nepal and stabilized her position in office, while also constructing a new cabinet of reformists to help restore equity and political order.
