It was the wedding of the daughter of a Nepalese politician that first angered Aditya. The 23-year-old activist was scrolling through his social media feed in May, when he read complaints about how the high-profile marriage ceremony sparked huge traffic jams in the city of Bhaktapur. What riled him most were claims that a major road was blocked for hours for VIP guests, who reportedly included the Nepalese prime minister.
Though the claim was never verified and the politician later denied that his family had misused state resources, Aditya's mind was made up. He found it really unacceptable. Over the next few months, he noticed more of what he thought were extravagances, posted on social media by politicians and their children - exotic holidays, pictures showing off mansions, supercars, and designer handbags.
Enraged by the huge inequality, young Nepalis have been calling the children of politicians 'nepo kids'. On 8 September, determined to fight what he saw as corruption, Aditya and his friends joined thousands of young protesters on the streets of the capital Kathmandu, demanding justice.
As protests intensified, tensions flared between demonstrators and police, leading to clashes that left casualties on both sides. The government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli eventually crumbled under the pressure, with parliamentary buildings stormed and set ablaze in an outpouring of fury.
This wave of activism isn't isolated to Nepal. Similar fervor has swept through Indonesia and the Philippines, where Generation Z is also mobilizing against corruption and demanding representation. The youth in these nations are demonstrating online and on the streets, using social media to amplify their voices and coordinate actions across borders.
Utilizing platforms like TikTok and Discord, young activists have created content that spreads awareness about socio-political issues, garnering support and solidarity from peers across the Southeast Asian region. This is a pivotal moment, as protests reveal the gap between the government’s promises and the harsh realities faced by young people. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, the spirit of protest continues, driving home the question: how will this generation sustain their fight beyond social media outrage and into tangible societal reforms?
Though the claim was never verified and the politician later denied that his family had misused state resources, Aditya's mind was made up. He found it really unacceptable. Over the next few months, he noticed more of what he thought were extravagances, posted on social media by politicians and their children - exotic holidays, pictures showing off mansions, supercars, and designer handbags.
Enraged by the huge inequality, young Nepalis have been calling the children of politicians 'nepo kids'. On 8 September, determined to fight what he saw as corruption, Aditya and his friends joined thousands of young protesters on the streets of the capital Kathmandu, demanding justice.
As protests intensified, tensions flared between demonstrators and police, leading to clashes that left casualties on both sides. The government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli eventually crumbled under the pressure, with parliamentary buildings stormed and set ablaze in an outpouring of fury.
This wave of activism isn't isolated to Nepal. Similar fervor has swept through Indonesia and the Philippines, where Generation Z is also mobilizing against corruption and demanding representation. The youth in these nations are demonstrating online and on the streets, using social media to amplify their voices and coordinate actions across borders.
Utilizing platforms like TikTok and Discord, young activists have created content that spreads awareness about socio-political issues, garnering support and solidarity from peers across the Southeast Asian region. This is a pivotal moment, as protests reveal the gap between the government’s promises and the harsh realities faced by young people. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, the spirit of protest continues, driving home the question: how will this generation sustain their fight beyond social media outrage and into tangible societal reforms?
