Dr Sudershan Kumar
In the autumn of 2025, Nepal witnessed a powerful uprising led predominantly its youngest citizens the so called Generation Z that shook the foundations of the country’s political order. What happened as a resistance to an abrupt ban on the over dozen social media platforms escalated swiftly in to a national protest movement, under pinned by frustrations much older and deeper than digital restrictions. The immediate trigger was a government directive requiring major social media sites among them Face book, Instagram, Whats App, X(formerly twitter), You Tube and Reddit to register with Nepali authorities. When many failed to comply, the platforms were blocked, sparking outrage among those for whom social media is not just entertainment but education, work place, social connection, and political voice.
But the protest rapidly transcended the ban young protesters voiced long suppressed anger over endemic corruption, nepotism, economic inequality, and stagnant governance issues that have left many Generation Zers disillusioned with the statue quo. The “nepokid” phenomenon where the children of political elites flaunt wealth became a symbol of the gulf between ordinary Nepalese and untouchable privilege. Protests broke out across Kathmandu and numerous other towns and cities. Students activists donned their uniforms and marched, citizens carried placards and social media was flooded with video of clashes, slogans and demands. Despite the government curfews and attempt to suppress information, the protests were sustained, coordinated and highly visible both in streets and online. The response was violent, security forces used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and reportedly live rounds in confrontations. During this period that is from 8th September 2025 to 13th September 2025 nearly 74 people (61 protesters, 10 prisoners, 3 police personnel) were killed and nearly 2110 injured. Besides, large number of Government buildings including Singha Durbar, Parliament, Supreme Court and houses of Ministers were torched by agitating protesters. These protests were so intense that even the former King of Nepal Gyandara Shah called for calm and resolution be found internally.
The scale of death and destruction compelled the Government to respond under pressure. The Government rescinded the social media ban, key political figure including the Prime Minister K.P.Sharma Oli along with his few ministers resigned. There were promises of accountability, investigation and reforms. Protests, however, showed no sign of being merely a momentarily flash in the pan. One thing unique in the protests is the movement was digitally native; youth leveraged platforms, memes, humor and viral content to galvanize support. Symbols like protest posters one piece pop culture references, Tik Tok reels and online communities played as big role as marches and sit- ins. Therefore it is utmost important to know about Gen Z, role of technology in spearheading the protests in Nepal, the causes of violent protests, its impact in reshaping the world order etc. It will not be an out of context to mention here that in the past the history has been shaped by revolutions, that transformed political, social and economic order across the Continents. The American Revolution (1776) was driven by the demand of Independence, self governance, and freedom from colonial exploitation. The French Revolution (1789) emerged from economic inequality, class oppression and the quest for liberty and fraternity. The Russian Revolution (1717) was fueled by poverty and autocratic rule and the desire for social reforms. In Asia, the Chinese Revolution (1949) sought to end feudal oppression and establish a new social order; while anti colonial movements in India, Africa and Middle East reflected common struggle for national liberation and dignity.
Despite differing contexts, these revolutions shared core causes; economic injustice, lack of political representation, social inequality, suppression of freedoms and the yearning for dignity and self determination. They often relied on mass mobilization, street protests ideological movements and sometimes violent confrontation to achieve change. Generation Z, however, approaches revolution differently, Gen Z harnesses the power of social media, online campaigns, and global connectivity to amplify voices and organized movements an unprecedented speed. Unlike past generations that relied on physical gatherings, Gen Z often triggers virtual revolutions that ripple in to the real world. Their struggles are not only against political autocracy but also against climate change, gender inequality, systemic racism digital surveillance and economic precarity.
Thus, while traditional revolutions were largely territorial, political and class based, Gen Z’s revolution is global, digital, and value driven seeking justice not within nations but across humanity. Hence, Generation Z (Gen Z) basically refer to Cohort of people born approximately between the mid 1990’s and early 2010’s with Pew Research Centre defining their birth years as beginning 1997. They are also known as “digital natives”. They are the first generation to grow up with internet and digital technology from an early age, which shape their views on inclusively social issues and values like work life balance. Key characteristics include being technologically adept, highly diverse, financially minded, and concerned about social justice and mental health. They prefer visual short form content, collaboration, online environments and seamless blend of digital and physical realities.
This tech fluency drives innovation influences consumer behaviour towards digital and sustainable and create new demands in the work place for flexibility and digital transformation. Also one must keep in mind that Gen Zers are grown in technology environment. They cannot be bullied by using brutal force. Their legitimate concerns and aspirations need to be addressed through dialogue and proactive approach so that the space is not created between them and ruling dispensation. The authorities must keep this in mind, otherwise this gap will be bridged by anti social elements, criminals and others by selling fake narratives using technological tools.
This would be detrimental to any country’s society. This is what exactly happened in Nepal, which otherwise is a peace loving nation. In fact Nepal is a land locked country in South Asia, bordered by China (Tibet) to the North and India into the East, West and South. It is roughly trapezoidal about 800 Km long and 200 Km wide with area around 147576Km2 divided in to 77 districts with population around 29.7 million as per mid 2025. The medians age is around 25.3 years. Suggesting significant youth demographic. Nearly 40% population in Nepal falls in to the Generation Z category (roughly born between 1997 – 2012). In fact, those who were on the helm of affairs in Nepal miscalculated the gravity of Gen Z protests and used excess force to quell the protesters and paid heavy price in terms of tragic loss of innocent lives and infrastructure thereby resulting the regime change for major reforms.
Therefore, the major takes always from Gen Z revolution for global world are: (i) Digital Activism and Mobilization: Gen Z leverages social media and digital platforms, to organize protests, share information and create rapid wide spread movements for change as seen in recent protests in Nepal, (ii) Anti corruption and Accountability: A central theme in recent Gen-Z led movements is a strong demand for accounted transparency, and end to corruption, seem as a driver of inequality and unemployment iii) Challenging Traditional Authority: Gen Z exhibits a greater willingness to question and challenge established authority, social norms and hierarchies, which can lead to increased dissent and calls for reforms, (iv) Emphasis on Ethical Behaviour: For Gen Z the ethical practices of businesses and institutions are crucial. They are willing to leave companies with unethical practices, influencing corporate responsibilities and consumer behaviour v) Shift Towards Access and Ownership: Gen Z’s consumption pattern favour access to goods and services rather than ownership, moving towards subscription models sharing economies and experiences over possessions vi) Technological Integration in Daily Life: As digital natives, Gen Z seamlessly integrates technology in to their daily lives, expecting easy to use Apps and online experiences, which shape the design of services and businesses, vii) Heightened Social Awareness: This generation is deeply concerned about global issues such as climate change, homelessness and systematic discrimination.
This concern translates in to active engagements and demand for solution. viii) Diverse and Inclusive World Views: Gen Z is a most likely generation to identify as a part L G B T Q + community and advocates for greater inclusivity, influencing social norms and representation across the world. ix) Focus on Personal Development in the Work Place: Gen Z priorities feeling valued, empowered and supported in their careers, with a strong desire for employers to invest in their personal and professional growth, x) Influences on Older. Generation; Gen Z’s activism and solid stances are increasingly influencing older generations with a growing percentage of millennial and even baby Boomers agreeing with their causes and methods. In short , the Zen Z revolution in Nepal was more than protest against policy; it is reflection of generational awakening.It demands transparency,justice and dignity.It insists that the voice of young be heard not merely as complaints, but re imagined potential and social contact.
It is also shocking and surprising that certain elements for the lust of power are trying to correlate the precarious situation in the neighbourhood with that of India with out realizing that India is the largest Peninsula of South Asia with 4 th largest economy of the world with population around 1.40 billion.It is also one of the largest and vibrant democracy of the world.Therefore in India the change of regime is possible only through the power of votes, not by other means.There fore, their Day dreams will continue to allure them for getting power like that of “Mungari Lal Ke Haseen Sapane.” More over Prime minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making India as developed nation by 2047 is also providing opportunities for younger generation to contribute towards nation building.
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