Nepal has been rocked by massive protests over the past week, as frustration over government inefficiency has erupted into a nationwide movement.
What began as anger against political mismanagement has now grown into a generational revolt against privilege and inequality.
The unrest, driven largely by Gen Z demonstrators, has already forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. At least 31 people have been killed and over 1,000 injured in clashes with police.
Government buildings, politicians’ residences, hotels, and even the Parliament building were set ablaze. With no functioning cabinet, the army has stepped in to enforce curfews and negotiate with protesters.
At the center of the uprising is the resentment that while ordinary Nepalis face unemployment, inflation, and poverty, the children of political leaders - dubbed “nepo kids” - flaunt their wealth on social media.
Viral posts on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X showcase luxury cars, designer handbags, high-end fashion, and exotic vacations, often juxtaposed with images of citizens suffering floods, power cuts, and soaring food prices.
Among those singled out is Shrinkhala Khatiwada, former Miss Nepal and daughter of ex-health minister Birodh Khatiwada.
Her posts about international travel and luxury living made her a symbol of privilege, leading to her family home being torched and a sharp drop in her Instagram following.
Singer Shivana Shrestha, daughter-in-law of ex-Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, has also come under fire for flaunting luxury homes and expensive wardrobes.
Smita Dahal, granddaughter of former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” faced backlash for posting handbags worth lakhs, while Saugat Thapa, son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, was portrayed as living a lifestyle of excess.
As protests intensified, mobs attacked homes of political families, declaring, “While the public dies in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs.”
Nepal’s anger has been amplified by deep-rooted corruption. Transparency International consistently ranks Nepal among Asia’s most corrupt countries.
A New York Times report revealed that at least $71 million was embezzled during the construction of Pokhara International Airport, while another scandal exposed politicians selling refugee quotas meant for displaced ethnic Nepalis from Bhutan. Yet prosecutions remain rare, fueling public belief that the elite enjoy immunity.
Oli, 73, stepped down after four separate terms in office, and several senior ministers have also resigned, leaving Nepal effectively leaderless.
President Ramchandra Paudel, 80, has appealed for calm, urging citizens to “practice restraint” while he seeks a constitutional way out of the crisis.
With Parliament dissolved and no cabinet in place, soldiers now patrol the streets of Kathmandu and other cities.
Curfews and prohibitory orders remain in effect, as the anger over “nepo kids” continues to symbolize the widening gulf between Nepal’s rulers and its struggling citizens.
