In a week marked by political turbulence and heated rhetoric, Nepal and India found themselves at the center of conversations about youth-led change, dynastic politics, and the far-reaching impact of unrest. What began as street protests in Kathmandu over corruption, nepotism, and censorship quickly spiraled into violence, government upheaval, and a tourism industry crisis. On the other side of the border, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s allusion to Nepal’s Gen Z movement as a model for change in India ignited fierce debate, exposing deep-seated contradictions and political anxieties.
Early September 2025 saw Nepal plunged into chaos as citizens, frustrated by persistent corruption and government overreach, took to the streets in protest. According to China Trading Desk, a travel marketing company monitoring the region, the unrest erupted on September 8. Protesters stormed government buildings, including the Supreme Court and parliament, demanding sweeping reforms. The situation escalated rapidly, with violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people, as reported by various outlets. Amid this turmoil, Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on September 12, 2025, plunging the nation into further instability.
The violence was not just a local affair—it sent shockwaves across the region, particularly in China. Nepal had been enjoying a boom in Chinese tourism, with an average of 7,500 Chinese arrivals per month from January to August 2025 and a staggering 67% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the China Trading Desk. But the unrest changed everything almost overnight. About 50% of Chinese travelers’ bookings for September 2025 were cancelled, and the CEO of China Trading Desk projected a 30% decline in bookings for the rest of the year. The closure of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport during the height of the protests further complicated matters, stranding tourists and deterring new arrivals. At least two major Chinese airlines suspended flights to Nepal, and Cathay Pacific cancelled all flights between Hong Kong and Kathmandu from September 15 to 30 as a precaution.
In response to the violence, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal urged Chinese nationals and businesses to take extra precautions. While Nepali officials have since tried to reassure international travelers that the situation is stabilizing, the damage to the country’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination has already been done. The Nepal Tourism Board is now facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding trust and reviving a sector crucial to the nation’s economy.
Meanwhile, the events in Nepal reverberated across the border in India, where they became a flashpoint in the country’s own political debates. On September 19, 2025, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference on alleged vote theft and invoked the idea that India’s Gen Z could bring about change similar to what had unfolded in Nepal. “The youth of the country, the students of the country, the Gen Z of the country will save the Constitution, protect democracy, and stop vote theft. I always stand with them. Jai Hind!” Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Although Gandhi did not mention Nepal by name, the reference was unmistakable. The BJP, India’s ruling party, was quick to seize on the comment. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari told News18, “Rahul Gandhi is making a dangerous comment, and Gen Z was against corruption and dynastic rule—which is what the Congress is all about.” The BJP’s line of attack was clear: Gandhi’s invocation of a youth-led movement against corruption and dynastic politics was, in their view, deeply ironic given Congress’s own history with both issues, particularly during the UPA I and UPA II governments.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also weighed in, writing on X, “The nation stands with PM Modi, the youth stand with him. The poor, farmers, and common people consider Modi as the leader of the country. After repeatedly losing elections, if Rahul Gandhi keeps blaming the system to hide his own weaknesses, no one will accept it. The country has changed, and under PM Modi’s leadership, India has progressed significantly. People like Rahul Gandhi want to stop the engine that is driving the nation forward at a rapid pace.”
Other opposition leaders joined the fray, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut warning that something similar to Nepal’s movement could happen in India, and JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar urging caution in drawing such parallels. “In countries like Nepal, where politics is driven by religion, such problems have to be dealt with differently. But India is a democracy, it is neither Bangladesh nor Nepal; our people do not accept dictatorial ideas. If one is comparing India with Nepal, they should consider India’s economic strength and the resilience of our people…” Kumar stated, as reported by News18.
Former BJP MP from Kannauj, Subrat Pathak, took a more incendiary tone, suggesting that if revolutions similar to those in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka were to erupt in India, the homes of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav would be set ablaze by people. Congress MP Manish Tewari, meanwhile, noted the role of social media in recent South Asian government collapses, posting, “A sophisticated social media campaign has again felled a government in South Asia. Bangladesh now Nepal—who is next?”
At the heart of the debate is the question of how change should occur in a democracy. Critics of Gandhi argue that by invoking street protests and revolutions, he risks undermining the very democratic institutions he claims to defend. They point to his repeated allegations of a compromised Election Commission as evidence of a strategy that sows distrust in the electoral process. This, they argue, is at odds with his Vote Adhikar Yatra campaign, which emphasizes the power of the ballot.
Data from the 2024 Indian elections further complicates Gandhi’s narrative. Despite his efforts to court Gen Z voters, the numbers show that youth votes accounted for about 41% in 2024, with the BJP-led NDA coalition enjoying around 43% of that share—a decline of just 1% since 2019. The government’s focus on youth, jobs, and skill development appears to be resonating, and the BJP remains confident that its support base will not drift away.
Back in Nepal, the long-term effects of the September unrest are still unfolding. The tourism sector, once buoyed by the influx of young Chinese travelers seeking adventure and cultural immersion, faces a long road to recovery. While the Nepal Tourism Board is working hard to reassure the world that the situation is stabilizing, it will likely take months, if not longer, for confidence to fully return.
In both countries, the events of September 2025 have become a mirror reflecting deeper questions about leadership, legitimacy, and the role of youth in shaping the future. Whether through ballots or on the streets, the demand for change remains a powerful—if unpredictable—force.
