In early September 2025, Nepal witnessed a political transformation as its Gen Z—armed with memes, smartphones, and the unlikely tool of Discord—helped topple a government and install a new interim prime minister. What began as online banter among young Nepalis rapidly evolved into a digital revolution, drawing global attention and sparking debate about the power and pitfalls of social media-fueled activism.
Discord, a platform once relegated to gamers and anime fans, suddenly became the nerve center of Nepal’s youth-led uprising. As The New York Times quipped, "The Parliament of Nepal right now is Discord." The platform’s transformation was so surprising that even parents started quizzing their children about it, with memes circulating about Gen Z explaining Discord to baffled relatives during Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival.
The roots of this upheaval trace back to September 8, 2025, when nationwide protests erupted, culminating in the collapse of KP Sharma Oli’s government. The ensuing power vacuum prompted the army to intervene, opening the door for Gen Z representatives to join negotiations for an interim government. By September 10, Discord’s Youth Against Corruption channel—moderated by the NGO Hami Nepal—became the epicenter of debate, polling, and leadership votes, amassing over 160,000 members. These discussions, often livestreamed on YouTube, ran parallel to in-person negotiations at army headquarters, reflecting a blend of digital and traditional activism.
Yet, as the platform’s influence grew, so did skepticism. While some praised the open debates, others questioned the process's legitimacy. A Twitter user, Nico Robin, remarked, “The kids have their hearts in the right place—they just need a bit of political education. But it’s crazy that I can participate in Nepal’s political process through Discord.” However, many online observers expressed concern about the competence and inclusivity of the discussions, with one critic tweeting, “I listened to the Discord discussion, and I’m super worried.” Others described the scene as “Gen Z la-la land,” worried about the chaotic and sometimes contentious exchanges among participants.
Despite the noise, a consensus gradually formed. Names floated for interim leadership included former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman Ghising, Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang, youth leader Sagar Dhakal, and social entrepreneur Mahabir Pun. Ultimately, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki emerged as the frontrunner. An open Discord poll, drawing 7,713 votes, saw Karki secure 3,833 (50 percent), reflecting her broad appeal. On September 12, after further negotiations, Karki was officially appointed Nepal’s 42nd prime minister, making international headlines for the unprecedented role of a youth-driven Discord forum in shaping a nation’s political future.
The story, however, is more nuanced than a simple narrative of “Gen Z picks PM on Discord.” Tanuja Pandey, a prominent Gen Z activist, pushed back: “I strongly disagree with the narrative that the prime minister was chosen solely through Discord.” She noted that discussions spanned Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and more—Discord was merely one visible forum. Others, like Aditya Khare, questioned the reliability of Discord polls, pointing out that moderators controlled participation and that the anonymous format could allow for multiple votes by the same individual. “Moderators decided who got to speak, so not everyone had a chance,” Khare explained, adding that the real decisions happened elsewhere, with Discord serving more as an engagement tool than a decisive electoral mechanism.
Karki’s appointment, while popular among youth, was ultimately a pragmatic response to the political crisis. Her credibility, experience, and broad public backing—including support from intellectuals and the wider society—helped secure her acceptance by the President and other key figures. In her message on Constitution Day (September 19), Karki lauded the youth movement, saluted the army and police, and thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his supportive call. She ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths of 75 people during the protests, banned former PM KP Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak from leaving the country, and announced further investigations into arson, vandalism, and corruption scandals. The Atlantic Council estimated that the riots caused $22.5 billion in damage—half of Nepal’s GDP—underscoring the stakes involved.
As the dust settled, elections were announced for March 5, 2026. Gen Z leaders like Miraj Dhungana and Sudan Gurung called for a stable, non-coalition government unyielding to corruption. Gurung, in a comprehensive interview with Al Jazeera, spoke about forming a new political party by uniting Gen Z groups via Discord and other platforms, and expressed his readiness to become prime minister if the people wished. He emphasized, “They have dragged us into politics and we will fight to the end to form a people’s government. This is a now-or-never struggle.”
The Gen Z movement also prompted broader changes in Nepal’s political landscape. Former PM Prachanda welcomed the elections, resigned as President of CPN (Maoist), and began rebuilding the party office after it was damaged by arson. Another Maoist PM, Baburam Bhattarai, quit politics altogether. Calls mounted for other senior leaders, such as PM Oli and former PM Deuba, to step down from party presidencies to allow for rebranding. There were even reports of Gen Z approaching former King Gyanendra Shah to return as a constitutional monarch, though President Poudel declined the proposal. On September 24, Poudel issued an ordinance to amend the Voter Registration Act, aiming to expand the electorate in line with Gen Z demands for more inclusive and stable governance.
The digital revolution in Nepal did not go unnoticed beyond its borders. In Tamil Nadu, India, senior TVK leader Adhav Arjuna cited Nepal’s Gen Z protests in a controversial social media post urging local youth to launch a similar revolution against the MK Stalin-led government. The post, later deleted, led to a police case under multiple sections of the BNS, with the ruling DMK party condemning it as a threat to India’s sovereignty and integrity. As DMK deputy general secretary A. Raja put it, “Tamil Nadu is a peaceful state with a growth rate better than the national average.”
Back in Nepal, Discord’s newfound popularity has brought digital safety concerns to the fore. Digital safety expert Anil Raghuvansi warned that sudden surges in platform use often attract users unfamiliar with privacy settings and safety protocols, exposing them to risks like hate speech, bullying, and data breaches. He advised users to review safety measures before joining such platforms, noting that Discord and others offer resources to help users protect themselves.
As the festive season unfolded with Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath, the mood in Nepal was a mix of hope, uncertainty, and reflection. The September Kranti, as some call it, was both transformative and tumultuous—an experiment in digital democracy that could serve as a lesson for other nations grappling with generational divides and demands for accountability. Whether Gen Z’s bold gamble will yield a truly “New Nepal” remains to be seen, but their mark on the country’s political landscape is undeniable.
In the end, Nepal’s Gen Z proved that even in a small Himalayan nation, the combination of youth, technology, and a hunger for change can shake the foundations of power—and perhaps, just perhaps, inspire others to do the same.