Revolution, Live: Nepal's Gen-Z uprising

Author: Alex McDonald

Black smoke rose over Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, at the beginning of September. The sight of burning buildings, young people sprinting through the streets, and a heavy police presence flooded social media feeds. Media outlets quickly dubbed it the “Gen-Z revolution.”

The uprising was triggered by then–Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli’s attempt to ban twenty-six social media platforms, but its roots ran much deeper.

Photo source: The New Yorker, Kapil Komiredd, Nepal's violent Gen-Z uprising.

For years, young Nepalis have watched a stark divide grow between the ruling elite and the struggling masses. Online, the hashtag #nepobaby spread rapidly, exposing politicians and their children flaunting luxury lifestyles while the nation grappled with economic hardship. Youth unemployment stood above 20%, significantly higher than other age groups, fueling frustration.

That frustration boiled over when Oli tried to silence dissent. Within 48 hours, years of discontent with corruption and political stagnation erupted into a nationwide revolt. Tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the corrupt and authoritarian government. Most were young people rallying under the banner “youth against corruption.”

The state responded with deadly force. Police fired live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas, and used batons on demonstrators. Nineteen people were killed, and hundreds more were injured.

This is a story we’ve seen before: social media taking center stage in organizing and documenting uprisings, overshadowing traditional media. As trust in mainstream outlets erodes—not just in Nepal, but globally—young people are turning to firsthand documentation and online communities to share news and mobilize.

Social media’s influence during the uprising was multifaceted. Political unrest was quickly “memefied,” with Gen Z using humour, sarcasm, and irony to create a shared language of dissent. One Instagram account, gen.znepal, gained more than 20,000 followers almost overnight, proudly declaring in its bio: “The Generation You Can’t Mute. Slay, rise, Zvolution.”

One unexpected figure to emerge was a British vlogger known on YouTube as wehatethecold. His real-time coverage thrust him into the heart of Nepal’s revolution. Online jokes soon circulated about appointing him as Minister for External Affairs.

Photo source: Nieman Reports,  Subina Shrestha, Nepal's Discord Revolution and the Press

While Nepalis filled the streets, the rest of the world scrolled through reels and livestreams, witnessing a political uprising unfold in real time. The ability to observe such events from our bedrooms fundamentally changes how distant struggles feel—turning foreign revolutions into something personal and immediate.

The astonishing speed of the government’s collapse and the resignation of Oli left a power vacuum in Nepal. The world now watches with bated breath: how can a leaderless youth movement transform its momentum into lasting democratic change?

The first steps happened online. Students turned to Discord—a platform better known for gaming—to coordinate. With over 150,000 participants on the server, they elected Supreme Court Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s first female interim Prime Minister.

Nepal now faces the immense task of rebuilding its government and repairing its fractured nation. What comes next remains uncertain. But what’s clear is that Gen Z’s discontent with corruption is not confined to Nepal. Similar movements are rising across Asia and beyond, signaling a generational shift in how political power is challenged.

As internet access spreads, social media is amplifying the voices of those previously unheard. The political sphere is changing—and this time, the revolution is live.