Authorities imposed a curfew in Bara district of Nepal on November 20, 2025, after ten were injured in clashes involving Gen Z and former PM Oli's supporters.
The Nepal protest movement has once again flared up in the Himalayan nation. Authorities reimposed curfew in Bara district following violent clashes between Gen Z demonstrators and supporters of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).
The situation worsened on November 20 when Gen Z youths returned to the streets, accusing police of failing to arrest individuals named in their complaint over the previous day's violence.
Understanding the Nepal Gen Z Protest Movement
The Nepal Gen Z protest movement that emerged in September 2025 represents one of the most significant youth-led movements in South Asian history. Unlike traditional protests, this movement operates through digital platforms and decentralised coordination rather than established leadership structures.
How Did the Movement Begin?
The movement originated from the "#NepoBaby" campaign on social media, which highlighted the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children while ordinary Nepali youth faced high unemployment and limited opportunities. The trigger came on September 4, 2025, when the government banned 26 social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp, citing regulatory issues.
For Nepal's digitally connected youth, this ban represented an attack on their communication channels and economic livelihoods. Nepali content creators earn over 3.5 billion rupees annually from platforms like YouTube and TikTok. The ban transformed online discontent into street protests.
At the same time, the protests fed on a deeper public frustration with entrenched corruption ranging from allegations of misuse of public funds to the perception that political elites routinely used state institutions for personal gain. Recent controversies involving procurement irregularities and politically connected business groups had already eroded trust, and the ban was seen as another example of unaccountable decision-making.
On September 9, protests spread across the capital. Demonstrators targeted government buildings including Parliament and the Supreme Court. By evening, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned citing the situation in the country. The social media ban was lifted the same night.
Selection of Interim Leadership
Following Oli's resignation, the youth movement used Discord servers with over 145,000 members to discuss potential interim leaders. This process contributed to the appointment of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as Nepal's first female Prime Minister on September 12, 2025.
Structure of the Gen Z Movement
The movement operates differently from traditional organisations. It relies on social media platforms for coordination and mobilisation. Discord serves as a space for discussion and decision-making, while TikTok and Instagram help spread information and rally support.
Local coordinators organise activities at the ground level. However, the movement lacks a single leader or formal hierarchy. This structure makes it adaptable but also creates challenges for negotiation and long-term organisation.
Key Demands of the Gen Z Movement
The Nepal protest movement centres on several core demands that reflect the political, economic, and social concerns of young Nepalis.
Accountability for September Violence
Protesters are calling for transparent and time-bound investigations into the deaths and injuries that occurred during the September demonstrations. Young Nepalis argue that security forces used disproportionate force, and they want an independent inquiry.
They demanded that the inquiry be led by former judges or human rights bodies to identify those responsible. They also seek reforms in police protocols on crowd control, mandatory use of body-cams, and legislative guarantees to prevent future abuse of power.
End to Corruption and Nepotism
The movement’s ideological core is shaped by long-standing frustration with corruption and patronage networks that dominate Nepal’s political and administrative systems. For Gen Z, corruption is not only about bribery but also structural inequality: preferential contracts, appointments based on family links, and the influence of political business houses in public decision-making.
The protesters demand stronger anti-corruption laws, greater autonomy for the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), transparent digital procurement systems, and an end to political interference in state institutions. Their demand extends to ensuring merit-based recruitment in government and curbing the "nepo-culture" that first sparked the movement.
Economic Opportunities and Jobs
With youth unemployment exceeding 20% and a large share of university graduates unable to find stable work, economic anxiety is a major driver of the protests. Many young people believe the Nepal government has not been able to create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and innovation.
The movement demands targeted job-creation policies, investment in tech and creative industries, reforms to vocational training, and support for start-ups. They also call for measures to reduce the reliance on foreign employment, arguing that Nepal’s “migration-dependent economy” is unsustainable.
Protection of Digital Rights and Online Freedoms
The government’s sudden ban on 26 social media platforms became a symbol of state overreach and triggered the mass mobilisation. Protesters argue that digital platforms are essential for communication, education, business, and civic participation.
Their demands include constitutional safeguards for digital rights, transparent regulation of online platforms, and a clear legal framework governing content moderation. They also advocate for policies that promote the digital economy and protect data privacy.
Conclusion
The events in Bara show that Nepal's September movement has provided the confidence and path to the Gen Z demographic who have demonstrated their ability to mobilise and influence events.
The interim government faces the task of conducting credible elections while managing ongoing tensions between various groups. Success will require cooperation from all stakeholders including youth activists, established parties, and civil society.
The Nepal Gen Z protest phenomenon has changed the country's socio-political landscape. Young Nepalis have shown they can hold leaders accountable and demand better governance.
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FAQs: Nepal Gen Z Protest Movement 2025
1. Why was curfew reimposed in Bara district Nepal on November 20, 2025?
Ans. Ten people were injured in clashes on 19th November between Gen Z demonstrators and supporters of ousted former PM Oli's CPN-UML party.
2. Who became Nepal's first female Prime Minister after the protests?
Ans. Sushila Karki.
3. What has the #NepoBaby campaign in Nepal highlighted during the GenZ protest in September 2025?
Ans. The lifestyles of politicians' children while ordinary Nepali youth faced high unemployment and limited opportunities.
4. What are the main demands of Nepali Gen Z protesters?
Ans. Accountability for September violence, end to corruption and nepotism, economic opportunities and jobs, and protection of digital rights.
5. What digital rights protection do Nepal Gen Z protesters want?
Ans. Constitutional safeguards for digital rights, transparent platform regulation, clear content moderation laws, and protection against arbitrary online restrictions.