In the heart of Kathmandu, on December 2, 2025, a pivotal moment unfolded for Nepal’s youth-driven political movement. Two of the country’s most prominent youth-led groups—Gen Z 2.0 and the Gen Z United Movement for Change—officially announced their merger, marking a significant escalation in the campaign for generational reform. The announcement, made at Reports Club Nepal, was more than just a bureaucratic handshake; it was a declaration of unity and purpose, signaling the resolve of an entire generation to reshape the future of their country.
The two groups, each having galvanized thousands of young Nepalis in the wake of the Gen Z Uprising, declared their intention to work under a single banner: the Gen Z United Movement for Change (2.0). Leaders from both organizations signed a unity agreement, pledging to dissolve their separate structures and operate with one model, one mission. According to Republica, the merger aims to institutionalize the issues raised by the Gen Z movement and transform it into a transparent, accountable, and people-centered campaign.
This unity comes at a critical juncture. Just months earlier, on September 8 and 9, the Gen Z Uprising had rocked Nepal’s political establishment. Young protesters, many risking their lives, took to the streets in what many described as the most decisive popular demonstration in decades. Their courage forced a complacent and corrupt political order to its knees, exposing deep-rooted failures within the state’s institutions. The uprising was not a symbolic protest but a transformative moment that challenged the status quo and demanded a new vision for the country.
The uprising’s demands were clear and uncompromising. First, the youth called for the lifting of a controversial social-media ban that had stifled public discourse and activism. Second, they demanded the institution of a directly elected executive system, arguing that only such a system could guarantee lasting political stability in a country plagued by decades of elite capture and corruption. Third, and perhaps most importantly, they insisted on the restructuring or outright replacement of public and regulatory institutions that had become, in their view, irredeemably corrupt. Alongside these, there was an urgent call for strict accountability and the prosecution of those responsible for hollowing out the nation’s core institutions over the past thirty years.
Yet, as the dust settled, only one of these demands had been met: the social-media ban was lifted. According to reporting published on December 3, 2025, the deeper, structural demands—those aimed at ensuring justice and systemic reform—remained unaddressed. The government’s decision to move forward with elections, without first tackling these foundational issues, has sparked outrage among the youth and their allies. Many see it as a deliberate betrayal, an attempt to convert a transformative movement into a routine electoral exercise that risks returning the same unaccountable actors to power.
“This is a shared dream of our generation,” said Avin Limbu, spokesperson for Gen Z 2.0, at the merger announcement. “We welcome all Gen Z youth openly. Participation in this movement will be based on policy, transparency and selfless service.” His words echoed the sentiment that has come to define the movement: a rejection of personal ambition in favor of a generational quest for meaningful change.
The merger itself is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the movement’s organizational capacity and broaden its appeal. Kundan Kusuwa, secretary of Gen Z 2.0, expressed hope that uniting under a single banner would make the campaign more organized and effective. “The Gen Z movement is not about individual interests, but the future of our generation. From now on, we move forward with one model and one mission,” said active coordinator Gaurav Devkota, as reported by Republica.
For many young Nepalis, the urgency of this mission cannot be overstated. Nearly a third of Nepal’s population belongs to Generation Z, making them the country’s largest and most powerful demographic bloc. Their numbers alone lend immense weight to their demands, but it is their willingness to risk everything—their futures, their safety, even their lives—that has captured the nation’s attention.
The September uprising exposed a hard truth: Nepal’s security forces, bureaucracy, and political leadership collectively failed to protect the capital and uphold their constitutional responsibilities. As the chaos unfolded, state institutions seemed to disintegrate, leaving a vacuum that was quickly filled by opportunistic criminal behavior. According to contemporary analysis, blaming the youth for the looting and vandalism that occurred during the unrest, while ignoring the state’s total collapse, is not just politically convenient but profoundly dishonest.
Yet, instead of a reform-focused transitional authority, the government chose to form an election-focused administration. This decision, critics argue, hijacked the mandate of the uprising and sidelined the spirit of the movement. “Attempting to convert such a transformative movement into a routine electoral exercise would be disastrous for the country’s political future,” one commentator wrote. The concern is that, without genuine reform, elections will only perpetuate the cycle of corruption and instability that has plagued Nepal for decades.
Leaders from the newly unified Gen Z United Movement for Change (2.0) have made it clear that their campaign is about more than just electoral politics. Their priorities include infrastructure, education, employment, and expanding opportunities for youth at the national level. As Varun Yadav and Sadichha Rai, representatives from the United Movement for Change, emphasized during the merger announcement, uniting Gen Z voices has become an urgent necessity.
Despite the obstacles, the movement’s leaders remain resolute. They plan to unveil a new leadership structure, internal mechanisms, and a campaign roadmap in the coming weeks. For now, their focus is on building a broad, inclusive platform capable of carrying the aspirations of an entire generation.
As Nepal stands at this crossroads, the message from its youth is unmistakable: democracy is not just about periodic voting, but about honoring the voices and sacrifices of those who stood unarmed in the streets, demanding a better future. The Gen Z Uprising was the loudest democratic expression Nepal has witnessed in decades. Until its demands are genuinely addressed and structurally embedded into the political system, many argue, any electoral process will lack legitimacy and risk plunging the country into yet another crisis. The stakes, it seems, could not be higher.
With a unified front and a renewed sense of purpose, Nepal’s Generation Z is determined to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten—and that their vision for the nation’s future is finally realized.
