Is it so simple to launch a socio-political movement to overthrow a government without a political party or any leader, relying solely on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X) hashtags, TikTok live streams, and Instagram's viral reels to organize protests and mobilize the masses? Or is South Asia heading for an "Asian Spring" or a colour revolution, similar to those experienced by Central Asian and Eastern European states during the Cold War epoch sponsored by great powers.

In South Asia, within a year, another government has been toppled by youth, using social media to mobilize the masses for a political movement.  Last year, it was Bangladesh—the Bengal Tiger—and today, it is Nepal —the land of Sagarmatha.

On September 9, 2025, the government of Nepal under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, amid widespread anti-government protests over corruption, banning social media pages and nepotism, was toppled. In these demonstrations, Gen Z, including students and social media activists, primarily led these massive protests, initially calling for lifting the ban on social media applications, and later demanding the government's removal.

Protesters, however, perceived the ban as an attack on freedom of expression and an attempt to suppress critics, particularly targeting a digital campaign against the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children, who used the hashtag #NepoKids to expose state-level corruption and nepotism.

The government, in contrast, stated that these 26 social media applications were instructed to register themselves but failed to comply with the law of the state of Nepal, claiming these digital platforms were responsible for spreading misinformation and posing cybersecurity risks. Therefore, the government considered regulating these applications.

Digital Activism to Political Movements

Apart from that, Gen- Z through digital modus operandi exposed socio-political inequalities and bad governance of Nepal, and they evolved from digital activism to political movement by using hashtags, such as #WakeUpNepal, #GenZProtest, #StopCorruption, #SocialMediaBan, and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, which socially and emotionally resonated with the people.

As a result, the incumbent government resigned, curfew was imposed, and the Nepali military has taken charge of the country; according to reports, till now, 34 people have died, more than 1000 injuries, and political perplexity still lingers due to the conflict over the leaders' names for the interim government. 

In a similar regional context, on August 5, 2024, the Bangladesh government was overthrown by protesters, primarily led by students and Gen Z, who opposed Sheikh Hasina’s administration over issues related to the quota system, unemployment, and governance. Similar digital tactics were employed to launch social media campaigns and trend hashtags, mobilizing the masses. 

Likewise, in 2022, Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya movement was initiated against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the economic crisis and debts through social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter/X, using hashtags like #GoHomeGota. As a result, in July 2022, he resigned when protesters from social media campaigns to occupy the presidential palace had changed the movement. In this regard, Facebook played a curious role in mass mobilization. 

Most of these socio-political, digital-driven movements were organized in the same way by engaging youth or Gen Z. Except the case of former PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan who was ousted through a no-confidence motion launched by establishment and Opposition, neither by youth nor any political movement. Khan and his party PTI accused Washington and its man, Donald Lu, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs behind this regime change operation, citing the leaked diplomatic cypher document.

Sheikh Hasina similarly accused Washington of orchestrating her government’s downfall after she reportedly exposed a U.S plan to create a Christian state, akin to East Timor, from parts of Myanmar.

Questions on True Agenda

However, questions remain about the true agenda behind these regional geopolitical developments. Critics ask: Are these socio-political movements in South Asia organic or are they orchestrated by external and regional powers using digital tactics?

Apart from these conspiracy theories, one fact is apparent: Digital platforms, particularly those owned by Facebook and Twitter (X), are playing a drastic role in launching, organizing and supporting socio-political movements and revolutions in South Asia where these developing countries, already marked by high-debt dependency, poverty, unemployment, poor governance, corruption, and illiteracy, are heavily reliant on international INGOs, NGOs, foreign aid, funds, and loans.

In this context, several questions arise: Is an “Asian Spring” looming over South Asia? Are protests under mobocracy to topple governments a better alternative to democratic elections which are often marred by rigging and dynastic politics? Are these developing countries, grappling with corruption, hybrid regimes, political instability,and burgeoning young population, ready to exercise digital rights fully?

Alternatively, ergo, is South Asia confronting a new form of colonialism in the guise of digital colonialism?

(The author is a PhD student from Peoples' Friendship University Moscow. Views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at sharifbaloch091@gmail.com )