Digital Platforms Fuel Socio-Political Movements in South Asia

Strategic Insights -

In recent years, the role of digital platforms in launching and supporting socio-political movements in South Asia has become increasingly apparent. With the rise of Gen Z, social media has become a powerful tool for mobilizing masses, exposing socio-political inequalities, and demanding change. The ousting of governments in Nepal and Bangladesh, as well as the Aragalaya movement in Sri Lanka, demonstrate the significant impact of social media-driven protests on regional politics. However, questions arise about the true agenda behind these developments, with some speculating that external and regional powers may be orchestrating these movements using digital tactics.

Key Takeaways:

  • In 2025, the government of Nepal under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was toppled due to widespread anti-government protests over corruption, banning social media pages, and nepotism, led by Gen Z and social media activists.
  • The protests began with the hashtag #NepoKids, which exposed state-level corruption and nepotism, and later expanded to demand the government's removal using hashtags such as #WakeUpNepal, #GenZProtest, #StopCorruption, and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal.
  • In comparison, a similar digital-driven movement in Bangladesh in 2024 overthrew the government, while Sri Lanka's Aragalaya movement in 2022 was initiated against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter/X, using hashtags like #GoHomeGota.
  • Gen Z has played a crucial role in these movements, using digital modus operandi to expose socio-political inequalities and bad governance, and evolving from digital activism to political movements.
  • The role of digital platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter/X, in launching and supporting these socio-political movements is becoming increasingly apparent, particularly in developing countries that are highly reliant on international aid, funds, and loans.
  • Critics ask about the true agenda behind these regional geopolitical developments, with some speculating that external and regional powers may be orchestrating these movements using digital tactics.

Statistics:

  • 34 people have died and more than 1000 injuries have been reported in the recent protests in Nepal.
  • The Aragalaya movement in Sri Lanka led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022.
  • The Bangladesh government was overthrown by protesters in August 2024 due to issues related to the quota system, unemployment, and governance.
  • 26 social media applications were banned in Nepal amid widespread protests over corruption, nepotism, and bad governance.
  • The hashtag #NepoKids, which exposed state-level corruption and nepotism, became a rallying cry for the protests in Nepal.

Sources:

  • Society For Policy Studies, 2025, distributed by Contify.com
  • Peoples' Friendship University Moscow (author's affiliation)
  • The Diplomat, 2024, "Bangladesh's ' Color Revolution'?"
  • The Indian Express, 2022, "Sri Lanka's Aragalaya: What is it and how did it happen?"
  • The Hindu, 2025, "Nepal: Youth-led protests demand PM Oli's ouster, 34 killed, 1000 injured"