In September 2025, Nepal found itself at the epicenter of a dramatic political upheaval, as a wave of youth-led protests swept across the capital and beyond, toppling the government and leaving at least 73 people dead. The unrest, triggered by a sudden social media ban, quickly spiraled into a nationwide revolt against endemic corruption, nepotism, and high unemployment—issues that have plagued the Himalayan nation for years. While the violence and chaos shocked many, those familiar with Nepal's recent history saw echoes of past uprisings that have repeatedly reshaped the country's political landscape.
According to reporting from AFP and other outlets, the spark that ignited Nepal's so-called 'Gen Z Revolution' was a government-imposed ban on social media platforms. For a generation already frustrated by economic stagnation and the glaring divide between the elite and the poor, the ban was the final straw. The movement erupted overnight, with thousands of young activists mobilizing through encrypted apps like Discord and taking to the streets in massive numbers. Demonstrators breached the fence of the national parliament and torched the main building, marking the worst unrest since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.
In the aftermath, the government was ousted, and former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, age 73, was named interim premier by consensus among the protestors—an unprecedented move in Nepalese politics. Elections are now scheduled for March 5, 2026, but uncertainty hangs in the air as to whether Karki will be able to deliver on her promise to punish 'every corrupt politician.' As one observer put it, "Whether or not she will be able to keep her promise to punish 'every corrupt politician' remains to be seen."
But Nepal's Gen Z uprising did not occur in isolation. As reported by multiple sources, including the analysis of recent Asian uprisings, this movement was inspired by similar youth-led protests in Sri Lanka (March 2022), Bangladesh (June 2024), and Indonesia (July 2025). In each case, young people, often students, were at the forefront, demanding an end to corruption and more equitable opportunities. The Nepalese demonstrators openly cited the Indonesian youth as a source of inspiration, and in a striking visual show of solidarity, the One-Piece flag—a symbol borrowed from Japanese pop culture—was seen waving above crowds in both Nepal and Indonesia.
Interestingly, the international impact of these uprisings has not been limited to South Asia. The phenomenon has been described as the 'Eros Effect,' a term coined to explain the sudden, synchronous emergence of mass protest movements across different countries. The Eros Effect, as articulated by scholars and activists, refers to the way hundreds of thousands of people can intuitively identify with each other's struggles, transcending national and ethnic divides. These movements are often leaderless, decentralized, and propelled by a collective belief in new values and symbols. As noted in a reflective analysis, "The very unpredictable character of these movements for justice today leaves corrupt politicians and business leaders ask themselves if they might be next."
Indeed, the ripple effects have been felt far beyond Asia. On September 10, 2025, France saw its own eruption of unrest under the banner of 'Block Everything,' as at least 175,000 people in 550 locations protested President Emmanuel Macron's austerity measures. The demonstrations involved blockades, clashes with police, and a striking sense of camaraderie among diverse groups—from striking hospital workers to railroad employees and students. The French protests, like those in Nepal and Indonesia, were notably distant from traditional left-wing parties and were characterized by their grassroots, leaderless nature.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the aftermath of its own youth-led uprising saw Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus appointed as chief advisor to the interim government in August 2024, following the flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. Sri Lanka, too, underwent a dramatic political shift after its 2024 elections, which brought independent leftist Anura Kumara Dissanayake to power. These rapid changes across the region underscore a broader pattern: when youth-led movements erupt, they can sweep away entrenched regimes and force reforms that once seemed unimaginable.
Yet, amidst the chaos and hope, misinformation has also found fertile ground. As Nepal's protests raged, a video began circulating online purporting to show Nepalese demonstrators storming the gates of parliament. The footage, overlaid with Hindi text and shared widely on Instagram and Facebook, was later debunked by AFP and other fact-checkers. It actually depicted a protest in Indonesia's Central Java, where up to 100,000 people rallied on August 13, 2025, against a controversial tax hike by Regent Sudewo. The demonstrators in Indonesia attempted to storm the regional administration office, throwing water bottles and tiles at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. The video was identifiable by the red and white Indonesian flag and landmarks matching Google Street View imagery of the local government office in Pati regency.
This confusion is perhaps emblematic of the interconnectedness of these movements—and the challenges of distinguishing fact from fiction in the age of viral social media. As AFP noted, "AFP has previously debunked similar false claims linking footage from Indonesia to the protests in Nepal." Such episodes highlight the importance of rigorous verification in an era when images and videos can be repurposed and misattributed across borders in an instant.
Underlying all these events is a sense of generational frustration—especially among so-called 'Nepo babies,' the children of government officials and the wealthy, whose displays of luxury have further inflamed resentment among less privileged youth. The protests in Nepal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have all been fueled by the perception that democracy has failed to deliver for ordinary people, and that only direct, disruptive action can force meaningful change.
Looking back, Nepal's Gen Z uprising is just the latest chapter in a long history of youth-driven movements that have toppled governments and challenged the status quo. From the Jana Andolans that ended the monarchy in 2008 to the global protests of 1968 and the Arab Spring, the pattern is strikingly familiar. Each time, the eruption seems to come out of nowhere, catching authorities off guard and redrawing the political map overnight.
As calm returns, at least for now, to Kathmandu and Jakarta, the question remains: will these movements lead to lasting reform, or will the cycle of unrest and disappointment continue? For many in Nepal and beyond, the answer hinges on whether new leaders can deliver on the promises of justice and opportunity that inspired so many to take to the streets in the first place.
