Nepal, a nation grappling with persistent economic challenges and political instability, witnessed a profound societal upheaval in September 2025, largely spearheaded by its digitally native Generation Z. While the immediate spark for the "Gen Z protests" was the government's sweeping ban on major social media platforms, the deeper "fuel" for this massive outpouring of public anger was the viral "Nepo Kid" phenomenon, which starkly highlighted elite privilege and perceived corruption against a backdrop of widespread economic struggle.
Unmasking the "Nepo Kids" of Nepal
The term "Nepo Kid," borrowed from global entertainment industries, was repurposed in Nepal to describe the children and relatives of influential political leaders who appeared to enjoy lavish lifestyles and undue privileges without merit. This trend gained significant traction across platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram, becoming a powerful symbol of public frustration.
Videos and posts widely circulated online depicted the offspring of prime ministers, ministers, and lawmakers showcasing foreign vacations, luxury brands, designer clothing, expensive homes, and conspicuous consumption. This digital display of wealth stood in stark contrast to the daily hardships faced by ordinary Nepalis, who grappled with soaring inflation, unemployment, limited access to essential services, and the necessity of seeking work abroad. One widely shared TikTok post succinctly captured the public's sentiment: "Nepo Kids show off their lifestyle on Instagram and TikTok, but never explain where the money comes from". Another popular slogan among protesters was, "Our taxes, their luxury... We pay, you flex".
Among those whose families were prominently featured in the "Nepo Kid" campaigns were Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', as well as the children and relatives of other senior political figures. Notably, the campaign targeted individuals like Sher Bahadur Deuba's son Jaiveer and daughter-in-law Sivana, Shrinkhala Khatiwada (daughter of a former health minister), and others. Satirical content, such as a video by content creator Bishal Gautam, garnered hundreds of thousands of views, further amplifying the outrage.
A Deep-Seated Frustration: Beyond the Glitz
The "Nepo Kid" phenomenon was more than just an observation of wealth; it was perceived as concrete visual evidence of entrenched corruption and widening inequality. Sociologist Dipesh Ghimire noted that this approach, comparing the lifestyles of leaders' children with the struggles of ordinary citizens, was a "creative and powerful way to show inequality" and served as a potent "bugle call against the ruling system".
This public anger was deeply intertwined with systemic issues long plaguing Nepal:
- Rampant Corruption and Nepotism: Corruption is a pervasive and detrimental issue in Nepal's public and private sectors, undermining trust and hindering economic development. The political, court, and administrative sectors are considered the most corruption-prone, with non-compliance with laws, lack of political commitment, and institutional weaknesses identified as leading causes. The election system itself is described as increasingly expensive, turning politics into a "money-generating industry". Nepotism and favouritism have been deeply embedded in Nepali politics, leading to disillusionment among the populace. This practice, where public officials use their positions to benefit friends and relatives, denies opportunities to qualified individuals and has been evident across political parties for decades, persisting even after the establishment of the republic.
- High Youth Unemployment and Forced Migration: Nepal faces a severe youth unemployment crisis, with rates as high as 19.2% for those aged 15-29, and over 20% for the 15-24 age group. This lack of dignified job opportunities at home forces an estimated 5,000 young people to leave the country daily to seek work abroad. The remittances sent by these migrant workers form a substantial 33% of Nepal's GDP, highlighting a development model that "exports its youth to low-wage contracts" rather than creating domestic opportunities. The education system's disconnect from market needs, outdated curricula, and a societal bias towards white-collar jobs further compound the problem.
- Political Instability: Nepal has experienced frequent governmental changes, with 13 different governments since 2008. This constant political churn, with power often rotating among the same leaders, further erodes public trust and fuels a sense of disillusionment.
The Catalyst and the Uprising
The government's decision on September 4, 2025, to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, for failing to register under new rules, acted as the immediate trigger that channeled the simmering "Nepo Kid" outrage into a full-blown protest movement. Critics widely perceived the ban as an attempt to silence dissent and control the narrative, particularly the growing online exposure of elite privilege. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli defended the ban as a matter of national dignity and regulatory compliance, dismissing the protests as attempts to stir unrest and accusing activists of being "puppets".
Leveraging their digital fluency, Generation Z transformed online outrage into coordinated street protests. They utilized social media platforms (even banned ones like Reddit and Discord) for logistics, information sharing, and narrative construction. The movement was notably "leaderless" and non-partisan, unifying participants by a shared frustration with visible inequalities and a demand for governmental accountability and transparency. Prominent public figures, including Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah – a former rapper, who supported the protests and urged political parties not to hijack the youth-led movement – and celebrities like Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya, openly voiced their support, further amplifying the cause.
Inspired by similar youth-led anti-corruption movements that toppled governments in Sri Lanka (2022) and Bangladesh (2024), the Nepalese youth demonstrated a willingness to challenge authority face-to-face. Protesters gathered in massive numbers in Kathmandu, particularly at Maitighar Mandala and around the federal parliament building in New Baneshwor, carrying placards with slogans like "Stop ghosting democracy," "Where is our tax," and "Enough is Enough".
Escalation and Aftermath
The protests quickly escalated into violent confrontations with security forces. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in a significant number of casualties. At least 23 people were killed, including 19+ protesters and 3 police officers, and hundreds were injured.
The unrest led to widespread acts of vandalism and arson targeting government buildings and political offices across the country. The parliament building was set on fire, along with parts of Singha Durbar (the administrative headquarters), the Supreme Court building, the president's residence at Sital Niwas, and the prime minister's residence at Baluwatar. The headquarters of the Communist Party UML and Nepali Congress were vandalized. The protests also saw multiple jailbreaks, with hundreds of inmates escaping.
In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned and fled the country on September 9, 2025, along with several other government ministers. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak also resigned. Curfews were imposed in major cities, and the Nepali Army was deployed nationwide to restore "law and order," even occupying Tribhuvan International Airport to prevent politicians from fleeing.
The protests highlighted a generational shift in Nepal, where young citizens, fueled by deep-seated frustrations over corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and a perceived broken development model, demonstrated their collective power through digital and street activism. Human rights organizations, both domestic and international, condemned the crackdown, urging authorities to exercise restraint and demanding independent investigations into the use of lethal force. The "Nepo Kid" phenomenon, therefore, served not just as a passing trend but as a critical symbol that crystallized widespread public outrage and galvanized a generation to demand systemic change and accountability in Nepal.
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