By International Desk, 10 September, 2025
Nepal is facing its biggest political crisis in years. On Tuesday (September 9), Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was forced to resign. His exit came after violent protests triggered by a ban on social media. Protesters accused Oli’s government of corruption and protecting the same political families who have ruled for decades.
Nepal protests turn violent
The protests began on September 8. The immediate trigger was the ban on 26 social media platforms. These included Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube. The government said the ban was to regulate large tech companies. But for young people, it became a fight for freedom of expression.
Soon, the anger spread across Nepal. Protesters burned and ransacked homes of senior ministers. Oli’s residence was also targeted. The scenes looked similar to what South Asia saw in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years.
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Young population leads the movement
Nepal’s protests are being called a “Gen Z” uprising. People under 28 years formed the main strength of the agitation. Nepal’s youth population is high. Nearly 20.8% of the people are between 16 and 25. Another 40% are under 40.
This generation says opportunities are limited. They accuse leaders of favouring “nepo kids” — children of politicians who get jobs and contracts.
According to World Bank 2024 data, Nepal’s per capita GDP is $1,447 (about Rs 1.27 lakh). The world average is $13,673. Migration is also a big issue. In 2023, more than four lakh Nepalis left the country. In 2000, the figure was just 1.47 lakh.
Bangladesh: Hasina’s fall
Nepal is not alone. In 2024, Bangladesh saw similar protests. They started with students who opposed quotas in government jobs. Soon, the protests expanded against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina ruled from 2009 till 2024. She was accused of silencing critics and using state power against the opposition. Finally, she fled to India. Bangladesh’s per capita GDP in 2024 was $2,593. But inflation touched 10.5%, much higher than the world average of 3%. Almost 25% of the population is aged between 15 and 29.
An interim government is in power now. But there are rising concerns of Islamist groups targeting minorities.
Sri Lanka: Aragalaya movement
Sri Lanka faced its crisis earlier, in 2022. The country was hit by a severe economic collapse. Inflation shot up. Fuel and food shortages spread anger. People took to the streets under the banner of “Aragalaya,” a Sinhalese word meaning struggle.
The protests forced the powerful Rajapaksa brothers — President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa — to resign. The Sri Lankan youth, about 23.6% of the population, played a key role. But unlike Nepal and Bangladesh, people of all age groups joined.
By 2024, Sri Lanka’s economy showed some recovery. Its per capita GDP was $4,515, higher than Nepal and Bangladesh. In the presidential election of 2024, a non-dynastic leader won. Marxist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake became President with 42% votes. Analysts said it showed people’s demand for change.
Afghanistan: a different story
Afghanistan also saw a political shift in 2021. But the Taliban takeover was not due to protests. It came after the withdrawal of US troops. The fall of Kabul created dramatic visuals of people rushing to catch flights. Unlike Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s crisis was about war, not public demonstrations.
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Long history of instability in Nepal
Nepal has faced instability for decades. It became a parliamentary democracy in 1951 after the Rana rule ended. But governments kept changing. Nepal turned into a federal democratic republic in 2008. Since then, it has had 14 governments. None completed a full five-year term.
The same old parties and leaders have ruled. The communists, the Congress Party, the Maoists, and some royalists dominate. Nepal has also had seven Constitutions, the latest in 2015. This cycle of political experiments has created frustration.
South Asia’s common thread
Bangladesh was created in 1971. Since then, power has largely remained with Sheikh Hasina of Awami League and Khaleda Zia of the BNP. In Sri Lanka, politics has been dominated by the Rajapaksas and Ranil Wickremesinghe. In all three countries, leaders are often accused of corruption and misuse of power.
This shows a common thread in South Asia. The youth, frustrated with unemployment and inflation, rise against entrenched elites. They see old politicians as part of the same corrupt circle.
What next for Nepal?
For Nepal, the resignation of Oli is only the beginning. An interim arrangement may follow. But unless new leadership rises, the same cycle may continue. The demand of the young generation is clear: jobs, transparency, and an end to family rule.
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