Anger over government failure, corruption and growing inequality in Nepal has pushed the country into a deep political and social crisis within a week. The movement was driven mainly by Gen Z, which forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. After the fall of the government, the country is running without a parliament and cabinet. As the situation worsened, the army took control, imposed a curfew and started the process of negotiations with the protesters. However, tension still persists on the streets.
31 people have died and more than 1,000 are injured in police action. Government buildings, private residences of leaders and even hotels in tourist areas were set on fire by protesters. The Parliament building was also burnt to ashes.
From digital resentment to the streets
The resentment arising from rising unemployment, inflation and poverty in the country quickly turned into a generational movement. Protesters started targeting the children of rich and powerful leaders on social media by calling them “nepo kids”.
Videos and posts started going viral on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and X showing the luxurious lives of these youths. Hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies received millions of views.
These posts showed expensive cars, designer clothes, foreign travel and luxurious lifestyles, which were juxtaposed with the conditions of the common people struggling with poverty, floods and inflation.
‘Nepo Kids’ surrounded by fire of criticism
The first to be targeted was Shringhala Khatiwada, daughter of former health minister Birodh Khatiwada and a former Miss Nepal. Her house was burnt down after pictures of her foreign travels and lifestyle went viral. She also lost more than one lakh followers on Instagram.
Shivana Shrestha, popular singer and daughter-in-law of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and her husband Jaiveer Singh Deuba were also targeted on social media and described as symbols of political families with assets worth crores.
Smita Dahal, who is the granddaughter of former Prime Minister Prachanda, faced criticism for flaunting handbags worth lakhs while the common citizens of the country are struggling with financial hardships.
Pictures of Saugata Thapa, who is the son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, also went viral on social media, showing him among expensive goods.
Protesters in Kathmandu and other cities burned down the houses of these leaders. They said, “When the common people are dying in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs.”
Deep roots of corruption and inequality
According to a report by Transparency International, Nepal is one of the most corrupt countries in Asia. A New York Times report revealed that there was a scam of about $71 million in the construction of Pokhara International Airport. In another case, leaders were accused of selling the quota set for refugees from Bhutan. Despite these scams, the culprits remain unpunished, reinforcing the notion that those in power are above the law.
End of power and military takeover
As the crisis deepened, 73-year-old Prime Minister Oli resigned from his post. Along with him, several senior ministers also resigned, leaving Nepal leaderless.
80-year-old President Ramchandra Paudel appealed for peace, saying, “I am consulting and making every effort to get out of the current difficult situation,” and also appealed to citizens to “exercise restraint and cooperate in maintaining peace.”
After the dissolution of the government, the army has imposed curfew in Kathmandu and other major cities. The army is deployed on the streets and prohibitory orders are still in force.
Nepal is currently standing at a crucial juncture. This mass movement is not only highlighting the failures of the government, but also showing that deep inequality, public resentment, and institutional corruption are now beginning to break the country’s political system from within.
Also Read: Death Toll From Gen Z Protests in Nepal rises to 34; Outgoing president Calls Crisis Meeting
