Dhaka To Kathmandu: How Youth Anger Forced 2 Prime Ministers To Step Down

Last Updated:September 09, 2025, 18:11 IST

On Monday, young demonstrators issued a strongly worded statement accusing the Nepal government and political parties of brutally repressing peaceful protests.

KP Sharma Oli and Sheikh Hasina. (File)

Is it just a social media ban, or something deeper fuelling Nepal’s unrest? That question is circulating widely, as journalists and experts point to a deeper crisis that has driven Gen Z to the streets.

On Monday, young demonstrators issued a strongly worded statement accusing the Nepal government and political parties of brutally repressing peaceful protests. They declared their refusal to accept the continuation of the current political leadership, accusing the state of betraying public trust, turning democracy into authoritarianism, and perpetuating a cycle of dynastic rule and oppression.

In their statement, the protesters announced a movement to remove all sitting leaders from power and placed five core demands before the government:

Dissolution of Parliament – the complete disbanding of the current legislature.Mass resignation of parliamentarians – with all members required to step down.Suspension of senior officials implicated in violent crackdowns, particularly those who issued “shoot-to-kill" orders.Formation of an interim government led by a representative chosen according to protesters’ recommendations.Early elections under the supervision of the interim administration.

While the immediate trigger was the government’s late-night decision to ban social media, observers stress that the anger is far more deep-rooted.

Journalists on the ground explain that the movement has its roots in the “Nepo Baby" campaign launched months ago. The campaign, which went viral among students, highlighted how politicians’ children flaunt lavish lifestyles, even as ordinary citizens struggled with economic hardship. The campaign struck a powerful chord with Gen Z, and the social media ban became the final spark.

Speaking to News18, senior Nepali journalist Namrata Sharma said: “This is accumulated frustration of Gen Z. Young people want quality education, but they are not getting it. The education system is weak, leading to brain drain. There is rising unemployment, and government schemes are often limited to those with political connections. On top of that, there is a lack of good teachers. The recent political change in Bangladesh has also left an impression on Nepal’s youth."

Another senior journalist added that Gen Z has grown “disillusioned with rampant corruption, the poor education system, and the lack of job opportunities that could keep them in Nepal. The government’s social media ban acted as the final trigger."

Although the government has lifted the social media ban and both the Home Minister and Agriculture Minister have resigned, unrest continues. Reports have emerged of damage to properties belonging to ministers, and the ‘Prachanda’ house also reportedly got attacked, despite his attempts to show sympathy for their movement.

Ground sources suggest that Gen Z is now past the point of return, raising fears that the crisis in Nepal could escalate further in the coming days.

HOW KATHMANDU PROTESTS ARE SIMILAR TO DHAKA

In a span of just over a year, South Asia has witnessed two dramatic political upheavals that share striking similarities. On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on a helicopter with her sister Sheikh Rehana, following weeks of youth-led protests. Thirteen months later, on September 9, 2025, Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had to bow down to enormous pressure and step down after days of unrest spearheaded by Gen Z.

Was Nepal’s uprising inspired by Bangladesh’s? While the contexts differ, a comparative look at both reveals key parallels that highlight the changing face of youth politics in South Asia.

Public pressure: In Bangladesh, it was a month-long uprising led largely by students and young people. The protests began over anger at the government’s quota system but soon swelled into a broader movement against years of political repression and questions over electoral credibility. Violent state crackdowns, including police firing and mass arrests, only strengthened the protesters’ determination, ultimately forcing Sheikh Hasina to resign.

Social media, quotas, and long-brewing frustration: In Bangladesh, experts say the quota controversy was merely the spark; years of authoritarian governance, economic stress, and allegations of corruption had primed the youth for revolt.

Youth at the helm: Perhaps the most striking commonality in both countries is the central role played by youth. In Bangladesh, Dhaka University students became the heart of a leaderless movement that spread nationwide. In Nepal, it was teenagers and young adults—most of them under 20—who spearheaded the marches.

The force that backfired: In both countries, the ruling elite attempted to crush the movements with force—a decision that proved costly. In Bangladesh, relentless firing and repression led to massive casualties. According to the Health Sub-Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement, 1,581 people were killed, more than 20,000 injured, and over 11,000 arrested across the country. Nepal followed a similar path.

Rage against the political elite: Another common thread was the anger directed at ruling elites and ministers. In both countries, protesters targeted the properties of politicians.

A regional pattern? The back-to-back resignations of Hasina and Oli point to a growing pattern of youth-driven uprisings.  As Sharma put it, “This is not sudden—it is years of neglect of the youth that has come to the surface."

But the message from Dhaka to Kathmandu is clear: when youth take to the streets with unity and determination, even the most powerful leaders can be forced to step down.

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