In recent months, South Asia has witnessed a wave of youth-led protests that have toppled governments and shaken the foundations of established political orders. Bangladesh in 2024 saw student protests escalate into a revolution that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee, ending her long rule amid accusations of authoritarianism and corruption. Barely a year later, in September 2025, Nepal followed suit. What began as online outrage against nepotism and a sweeping social media ban erupted into street protests, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the appointment of an interim government under former Chief Justice Sushila Karki.
These events, hailed by some as “Gen Z revolutions,” raise profound questions – to what extent are these protests rooted in genuine causes? Are the young ignoring democratic processes in pursuit of their goals, or is their anger a chaotic outburst against deep-rooted national issues? More alarmingly, does the accompanying violence-arson, vandalism of public property and destruction of historical symbols – is it their contemptuous anger or it signals rejection of the nation’s hard-won progress?
The grievances are undeniable. In both Bangladesh and Nepal, young people face staggering unemployment, economic stagnation and rampant corruption. Nepal’s youth unemployment rate is very high, forcing thousands to migrate abroad daily, while remittances prop up a fragile economy. Viral social media trends exposing the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children-“nepo babies“-highlighted stark inequalities in societies where leaders’ families flaunt luxury amid widespread poverty.
In Nepal, the government’s ban on 26 social media platforms in early September 2025 was seen as an attempt to silence dissent, igniting the spark. Similarly, Bangladesh’s quota protests morphed into demands for accountability after brutal state crackdowns.
These are burning issues that older generations and political elites have failed to address. The youth’s frustration is not baseless; it stems from a sense of betrayal by system/Institutions that promise democracy but deliver nepotism and impunity. In Nepal, protesters, many still in school uniforms, initially gathered peacefully, waving national flags and anime symbols as emblems of a borderless, digital generation. Their rapid success in ousting a government reflects the power of organized, tech-savvy mobilization via platforms like Discord and Instagram.
Yet, the means employed cast a long shadow over the ends achieved. In Bangladesh, post-resignation chaos saw the burning of cultural heritage sites, including the home of a revered Baul singer and memorials linked to the liberation war. Statues of founding leaders were toppled and targeted violence erupted against perceived supporters of the old regime. In Nepal, protests devolved into arson — Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and key administrative buildings were set ablaze. Vandalism targeted politicians’ homes and reports emerged of infiltrators hijacking peaceful demonstrations, turning them into mobs.
This destruction is not mere collateral damage, it borders on obliterating historical progress. The leaders whose legacies were torched or defaced—flawed as they may have been—played roles in building these nations from colonial or monarchical pasts. Erasing symbols of national struggle risks fracturing collective memory and inviting further division. Is this the vision Gen Z holds — a scorched-earth approach to reform?
Worse still are accounts of anarchy in the aftermath. While mob lynching did not widespread in Nepal’s case, the region has seen echoes of post-uprising lawlessness, with prison breaks, looting and unchecked violence in Bangladesh contributing to economic crises and a climate of fear. Nepal’s interim phase has brought curfews, army patrols and lingering instability, exacerbating unemployment and migration.
One cannot help but wonder. Do these young protesters believe they alone are the best thinkers and doers for the nation? Their leaderless, decentralized movements—coordinated online and rejecting traditional party structures—demonstrate innovation and courage. But they also reveal immaturity; a reluctance to engage in the slow grind of institutional reform, preferring swift, dramatic change.
Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless wisdom rings truer than ever, “The means must be as pure as the end.” Non-violence was the bedrock of India’s freedom struggle, ensuring lasting results rather than cycles of retribution. Violent shortcuts, however justified by anger, breed resentment, instability and often new forms of authoritarianism. History shows that revolutions won through chaos rarely deliver equitable futures—witness the lingering bitterness in post-uprising Sri Lanka or the communal tensions in Bangladesh.
Gen Z’s energy is a vital force for change, but it must channel into constructive avenues; forming political platforms, demanding transparent elections and holding interim governments accountable. Nepal’s upcoming polls in 2026 offer such an opportunity. If the youth dream of a terror-free, prosperous nation, they must reject anarchy and embrace disciplined, Gandhian pursuit of justice.
The fury of youth can illuminate paths forward, but only if tempered with wisdom. Otherwise, it risks consuming the very nation it seeks to save.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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