The landlocked Himalayan nation of Nepal, known for its lofty mountains and resilience, is suddenly caught in an unprecedented storm that has exposed the fragility of its democratic system.What started as a government move to exercise control over various social media platforms quickly turned into a countrywide uprising spearheaded by a restless generation referred to as Nepal’s Gen Z. For them, the ban was not just about Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok; it was a symbol of more serious frustrations including rampant corruption, nepotism, unemployment, and a political elite that seemed increasingly detached from common citizens.The protests that sparked in Kathmandu and beyond have left images of burning infrastructure, deserted streets under curfew, and a helpless government forced to deploy the army. With Prime Minister Oli’s resigning and the lifting of the ban, the crisis has entered into a new phase and there is a growing uncertainty with regard to the future of the country. 

Propaganda vs Reality 

The official narrative has largely focused on the ban and its impact,It is however evident that the current uprising runs deeper than access to the social media plateforms.It seems that the ban was just a spark for wider frustration over corruption, nepotism, and economic inequality.The government authorities framed the restrictions around tax and registration issues, but the real intent was censorship giving the government the power to delete online criticism and jail the dissenting voices.The government authorities have been facing severe criticism against rampant corruption, joblessness and the lavish lifestyles adopted by the children of the political elite of the country.

 Talking about the factors which mainly contributed to the ongoing crisis in the country,The first and the most important factor emerges is the corruption in the country. There have been numerous charges of corruption and allegations against big political leaders. Ironically, no visible action has been taken against the corrupt officials and the politicians.During the Prachanda regime there was some progress on investigating some of the cases that involved top leaders of the UML ,Communist Party of Nepal and the Nepali Congress, it alarmed the two political parties Soon after, the two largest parties, despite ideological differences, came together in a power-sharing agreement.One is a communist party, the other a democratic, mass-based party. The UML is cadre-based. They have traditionally been opposed to one another, so again there was a growing perception in country that the two parties joined hands mainly to shield themselves from the corruption investigations.

Nepo Kids and Growing Inequality 

The second factor which had created a simmering discontent among the public was the phenomenon of Nepo Kids. The children of different political leaders flaunted their wealth and extravagant lifestyles, which developed resentment among young students and the general public.The third and a significant factor was the joining of hands by the two big parties, thereby sidelining and imprisoning the charismatic leader of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane. While he was jailed, there was virtually no opposition in the Nepali Parliament. Prachanda was technically in opposition but had allied with both the parties in the past. With nobody to challenge Oli and Deuba, it felt like the current power sharing arrangement would continue for the generations to come.The People especially the young Nepalis saw it as a game of musical chairs, and the recent social media censorship just triggered the crisis.While the demonstrations were sparked by a government ban on social media which was eventually lifted,protesters anger with the widespread corruption and a failure to provide young people with opportunities are at the root of the uprising.

This clearly shows that the Nepalese youth held resentment against the government and the political elite who did not pay any attention to their demands or communicated with them.They rather continued to act in an arrogant manner.The violent protests in Kathmandu and the killing of 19 people by finally led to the resignation of PM Oli.

Years of Unresolved Issues 

 Besides all these reasons,the historical political instability,constitutional disputes including the issues related to the federalism and ethnic unrest, economic strain, governance issues and the geopolitical pressures only contributed to the crisis.The present situation is not an isolated event but rather the outcome of years of unresolved issues that continue to strain its democratic institutions and developmental aspirations.

 After the overthrow of governments in the South Asian countries of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the Nepalese crisis has consequences not just for the nation of 30 million people, but for the whole region,  rooted in the country’s own turbulent political history and its legacy of attempting to balance ties between India, China and Pakistan.Though historically often close to India, Nepal’s foreign policy alignments have shifted with domestic political realignments. . Oli was believed to be leaning towards Beijing, and his removal has given rise to the speculation about a possible shift in the foreign policy of Kathmandu.The recent "Gen Z" protests have suggested that the next ruler is likely to be an independent figure and may not be aligned with any party.It is not immediately clear who will step in to fill the vacuum. .India and China will both be watching developments closely, concerned about maintaining influence and protecting their significant political and economic interests in Nepal.

(The author is a columnist and academician based in Kashmir.He writes on educational,social and political issues. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at rayeesmasroor111@gmail.com)