Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising Threatens to Derail Democracy

Nepal stands at a precarious crossroads as a youth-led uprising, dubbed the Gen Z agitation, has plunged the Himalayan nation into its worst political crisis in decades, prompting analysts to warn that the country’s decade-old federal republic experiment could collapse before it fully takes root. The turmoil, which erupted on Monday, September 8, 2025, following a government ban on social media platforms, has led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and key cabinet ministers, widespread violence, and the Nepali Army’s intervention to restore order. As protests escalate, experts fear stakeholders may seek extra-constitutional solutions, potentially dismantling Nepal’s 2015 Constitution and threatening its democratic framework.

The unrest began when the government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and YouTube, citing regulatory noncompliance. Widely perceived as an attempt to stifle dissent, the ban ignited fury among Nepal’s Generation Z, who took to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities to protest corruption, nepotism, and economic stagnation. The demonstrations turned deadly when security forces clashed with protesters, resulting in at least 19 deaths and over 300 injuries on September 8. The violence escalated further, with rioters setting fire to Oli’s private residence, the homes of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Arzoo Rana Deuba, as well as key government buildings like the Parliament and Singha Durbar.

Ramesh Parajuli, a senior researcher at Nepal-based NGO Martin Chautari, described the crisis as a potential turning point. “The constitutional track has been derailed, and there’s a tilt toward extra-constitutional solutions,” he said, outlining three possible paths: adhering to the existing Constitution, deviating slightly to form an interim government for fresh elections, or abandoning the Constitution entirely. Parajuli favors giving the 2015 Constitution more time, noting its youth and the incomplete tenure of two full government terms. “It’s too early to deem it a failure,” he argued, though he acknowledged powerful forces advocating for a complete overhaul.

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Namrata Sharma, vice president of the Nepal chapter of South Asian Women in Media, highlighted the logistical challenges of moving forward without a caretaker government. “The Gen Z movement demands proportional representation and systemic change, but without an interim setup, elections are impossible, and Nepal will remain in limbo,” she said. The protesters, operating under slogans like “The Final Revolution – We Are Punching Up,” have rejected dialogue with established political parties, accusing them of entrenched corruption and nepotism. Sharma defended their stance, arguing that a meeting with the President, rather than the army, would better align with their call for fresh leadership with clean records.

Senior political analyst CK Lal warned of a dangerous precedent if the army assumes prolonged control. Drawing parallels to the chaos following the 2001 Nepalese royal massacre, Lal noted that Nepal risks operating on “auto-pilot” without a clear governance structure. He expressed skepticism about the army’s decision to exclude political parties from a proposed crisis-resolution meeting, which includes Gen Z representatives and select individuals. “Without elected party leaders, the legitimacy of any solution is questionable,” Lal said, cautioning that unchecked military rule could entrench anarchy.

Lok Raj Baral, former Nepalese Ambassador to India, suggested the exclusion of political parties might be a temporary measure to quell public anger. “Long-term exclusion is impractical given their entrenched organizational structures,” he said, predicting their eventual return once tensions subside. However, the scale of destruction—burned government buildings, looted offices, and a shuttered Parliament—has left Nepal’s democratic institutions in tatters, with the army as the only functioning authority.

The crisis, fueled by deep-seated frustration over youth unemployment (over 20%), reliance on remittances (30% of GDP), and political dynasties, has exposed the fragility of Nepal’s democratic experiment. As the army enforces curfews and occupies key infrastructure like Tribhuvan International Airport, analysts fear a prolonged power vacuum could invite further instability or even a return to monarchical sentiments, as seen in earlier 2025 protests. With no clear resolution in sight, Nepal’s Gen Z movement has ignited a reckoning that could redefine the nation’s future—or unravel it entirely.

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