New Delhi : The Nepal protests 2025 have taken the region by storm, leading to unprecedented political upheaval. What began as demonstrations against a social media ban quickly escalated into nationwide unrest, resulting in the resignations of Prime Minister K.P. Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel. The violent protests, largely driven by Gen Z, have raised questions about corruption, nepotism, and possible external influences shaping Nepal’s political landscape.
The developments in Nepal have drawn comparisons with past events in the region. In Sri Lanka, violent protests over economic crisis forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee to the Maldives. Bangladesh witnessed massive student uprisings that ultimately ousted Sheikh Hasina, who later accused the United States of orchestrating her removal. In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s government was removed under pressure from the military.
Nepal’s protests, largely led by Gen Z, went beyond the social media ban, highlighting frustration over corruption, nepotism, economic stagnation, and unemployment. The violent targeting of leaders’ homes, including the tragic death of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal’s wife, Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar, indicates a pattern reminiscent of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where top leaders had to flee amid unrest.
Geopolitical experts, such as S L Kanthan, suggest the possibility of foreign influence, noting similarities in methods used to destabilize governments: young, mobilized protesters, attacks on leadership residences, and sudden political vacuums. Even after lifting the social media ban, protests persisted, raising questions about deeper underlying agendas.
Since 2008, Nepal has seen 14 governments in 17 years, mostly coalitions, with repeated allegations of corruption among leaders, fueling frustration among the youth. Recent campaigns questioning the extravagant lifestyles of politicians’ children further aggravated tensions. Observers believe that the fragile political scenario in Nepal created conditions for such rapid upheaval, making the nation vulnerable to engineered unrest.
The events underscore the fragility of South Asian democracies and highlight the recurring pattern of youth-led protests influencing regime changes. Analysts argue that these developments are not merely spontaneous but may reflect broader strategic and geopolitical maneuvers affecting the region’s stability.
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