Nepal's Gen Z Protest: A Call for Corruption-Free Nepal

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of young people in Nepal took to the streets on Monday to protest against corruption and a government ban on social media websites. The protests, dubbed the Gen Z protest, were sparked by growing dissatisfaction among the youth with corruption and the government's recent decision to ban several social media platforms. The protest, which began at 9am on Monday, saw thousands of protesters gather in Maitighar, a neighbourhood in Kathmandu, and march towards the Parliament building.

As the protest progressed, the situation escalated, and clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of six people. The protesters, who were largely made up of school and college students, demanded an end to corruption and a fair system of governance. The government had recently blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the Nepali government.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gen Z protest in Nepal was sparked by growing dissatisfaction among the youth with corruption and the government's recent decision to ban several social media platforms.
  • The protest, which began at 9am on Monday, saw thousands of protesters gather in Maitighar, a neighbourhood in Kathmandu, and march towards the Parliament building.
  • Clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of six people, with dozens more injured.
  • The protesters, who were largely made up of school and college students, demanded an end to corruption and a fair system of governance.
  • The government had recently blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the Nepali government.
  • The protest was fuelled by incidents of corruption in recent years, including a 2017 Airbus deal, in which Nepal Airlines bought two A330 wide-body jets at a loss of $10.4 million to the exchequer.
  • Protests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2022 and 2024, respectively, which led to the removal of governments in those countries, served as inspirations for the protest in Nepal.
  • The protests were also motivated by the growing dissatisfaction among the youth with the government's negligence and the silencing of youth voices.
  • Hami Nepal, a nonprofit organisation, organised the protest, which was secured with approval from the Kathmandu District Administration Office.

Statistics:

  • Six people were killed after clashes between protesters and security forces.
  • Dozens of protesters were injured and were receiving treatment in different hospitals in Kathmandu.
  • About 90 percent of Nepal's 30 million people use the internet, according to a 2021 report by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.
  • About 7.5 percent of Nepal's population was living abroad as of 2021, reliant on platforms such as Meta's Messenger to communicate with families back home.
  • The government blocked 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, after they failed to register with the Nepali government.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera
  • Reuters
  • The Kathmandu Post
  • NGO Hami Nepal's communication channel