Youthquake in Nepal: Gen-Z Forces PM Oli to Resign

Nepal's political landscape was upended within 48 hours as Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned amid an unprecedented wave of youth-led protests. What began as widespread anger over a controversial social media ban—briefly blocking access to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Reddit—quickly snowballed into a full-blown revolt against government corruption, mismanagement, and long-standing political dysfunction.

Nepal Government in Freefall

Protests turned violent on Monday when police opened fire on demonstrators, leaving 19 people dead and hundreds injured. Government buildings were torched, major ministers stepped down, and Nepal’s ruling coalition appeared to be disintegrating in real time. Oli, facing mounting pressure, formally stepped down, stating in his resignation letter that the “extraordinary situation” compelled him to act “to ease the current situation.”

A Nation Trapped in Political Instability

Since abolishing its monarchy in 2008, Nepal has seen 14 governments come and go—none completing a full term. Analysts suggest that Oli’s exit marks yet another chapter in this era of chronic instability, raising questions about the country’s capacity to build lasting democratic institutions.

Sudan Gurung: The Emerging Face of the Youth Movement

The aftermath of the protests has left Nepal’s coalition government on shaky ground. Multiple political parties have withdrawn support, and key ministries are now vacant.

Amid the chaos, one figure has emerged as a unifying force: Sudan Gurung, a 36-year-old NGO leader and president of Hami Nepal. Widely credited with mobilizing the protests, Gurung and his team leveraged platforms like Instagram and Discord—ironically, during the very crackdown that triggered the unrest—to organize tens of thousands of young Nepalis who demanded change.

The Road Ahead

India and China are reportedly keeping a close watch on the unfolding crisis, concerned about potential instability along their Himalayan border. 

The events of the past 48 hours have exposed deep generational frustration and underscored the growing political power of Nepal’s Gen-Z population. As the country faces yet another political reckoning, many wonder whether this marks the beginning of a true transformation—or just another short-lived political shakeup in a long history of unrest.

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