Buildings were torched and politicians attacked as Nepali citizens rebelled against their government on Tuesday. Simmering public resentment had boiled over after ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced a sweeping social media ban on September 4. Matters took a turn for the worse after dozens of student protesters were killed amidst a clash with the police on Monday. Numerous lawmakers as well as former Nepali leaders were attacked as the angry demonstrations with roots in government ‘corruption’ continued for a second day.
Younger Nepalis have repeatedly accused the government of stifling free speech while failing to address deep-seated corruption — often using social media to make their point. The ‘Nepo kid’ trend emerged earlier this year as Nepali social media users highlighted the unfair gap in resources available to the ‘elites’. Countless posts across X, Reddit, Instagram and other platforms also highlighted the lavish lives of politicians and their families to underscore their point.
“Children of elite politicians know full well how their parents get their money and luxury from, it is from the tax payers like you and me. And they live in utter luxury while we suffer,” wrote one Reddit user.
Politicians face protester fury
Multiple politicians across the spectrum were thrashed and their homes set on fire as the protests raged unabated on Tuesday. The home of ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and several of his predecessors were set on fire or pelted with stones. The wife of former PM Jhalanath Khanal was killed after suffering severe burns and both former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife (the current Foreign Minister) were also assaulted.
Viral videos showed Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel being chased down the street by an angry mob — dragged around by his hands and legs by the group upon capture. Both Paudel and former minister Ek Nath Dhakal were also stripped and paraded by the protesters.
Gen-Z’s viral rebellion
Unverified reports across social media indicate familial ties between some of the politicians attacked this week and the ‘nepo babies’ with extravagant lifestyles. The lengthy list of politicians named in these social media posts includes lawmakers and top officials from numerous parties — both in the ruling faction and the Opposition. Netizens have also alleged the misuse of public funds by these political elites to finance the extravagant lifestyle of their families.
The viral videos and images showcased these so called ‘nepo babies’ flaunting luxury cars, designer clothes, foreign education, and lavish vacations — a stark contrast against the struggles of ordinary Nepalis. The campaign had spread extensively over the past few weeks — with hashtags such as #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, #NepoKids, and #NepoBabies garnering millions of views and fueling widespread public anger over corruption and inequality.