Social Media Crackdown Ignites Youth-Led Revolt in Nepal   

• A series of youth-led anti-corruption protests and demonstrations engulfed Nepal in September, forcing Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, along with several government ministers, to resign. Though the protestors succeeded in toppling the government, the unrest came at a steep cost: 72 people were killed and thousands more were injured. Several government buildings were set on fire. The protests were triggered by the government’s order to ban 26 popular social media sites, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. For many Gen Zers, the act was the proverbial last straw after years of discontent over corruption, social inequality, and economic woes. Tensions escalated when viral images circulated of politicians’ children flaunting wealth. One widely shared photo showed the son of a provincial minister posing beside a Christmas tree built from luxury brand boxes, fueling outrage over the so-called “nepo babies.” Two days before the deadly protests, a 24-year-old environmental activist named Tanuja Pandey took to TikTok, sharing a video of environmental degradation in the fragile Chure mountain range and calling on youth to fight corruption and misuse of public funds. Before the protests, she and others drafted guidelines that emphasized non-violence and respect while urging participants to watch out for potential “hijackers.” On Sept. 8, demonstrators gathered peacefully in Kathmandu, singing and holding signs. By midday, however, masked men on motorcycles entered the crowds. Clashes erupted as some protesters attempted to storm the parliament building, and security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition. The violence quickly spread. Government buildings, including the Supreme Court and parliament, were set ablaze. The military was deployed, and a nationwide curfew followed as authorities struggled to regain control. In the aftermath, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, respected for her clean reputation, was appointed interim prime minister with the backing of the protest movement. Families of those killed now mourn their young loved ones, many of whom had taken to the streets demanding change. As Nepal begins its uncertain recovery, the youth-led revolt has left an indelible mark on the nation’s politics, signaling both the power and the cost of a new generation demanding accountability. Sean Jung R&D Division Director teen/1760056159/1613367592