Kathmandu: A wave of youthful defiance has reshaped Nepal’s political landscape, as the movement that forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli now takes part in selecting the country’s interim leadership. What began as scattered online discontent has matured into a force that not only toppled an administration but also seeks to guide the nation toward cleaner politics and accountable governance.
At the centre of this transformation is Hami Nepal “We are Nepal” a civic group founded by Sudan Gurung, a 36-year-old former DJ. Gurung and his colleagues turned social media platforms such as Discord and Instagram into rallying points for disenchanted citizens, particularly the young. When the government attempted to silence them by banning apps, they responded with ingenuity, using VPNs and proxy accounts to keep their campaign alive. Their adaptability in the digital space allowed anger to spill into the streets, ultimately drawing tens of thousands to demonstrations.
The protests were not without cost. Weeks of clashes with security forces left at least 72 people dead and more than 1,300 injured. The tragedy deepened public resentment and eroded the legitimacy of Oli’s government, forcing his resignation. For many observers, the fall of the administration marked the first time Nepal’s youth had successfully turned online activism into direct political consequence on a national scale.
Yet this movement is not positioning itself as a political party. Instead, it insists on remaining a watchdog and influencer, pressing for decisions that reflect the aspirations of ordinary people. Figures such as café-owner Ojaswi Raj Thapa and law graduate Rehan Raj Dangal have emerged alongside Gurung as recognisable voices. They emphasise that their mission is not to occupy cabinet posts but to ensure that those chosen embody competence, integrity, and an openness to generational change.
Their most visible victory so far has been persuading the President and the military establishment to appoint Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice known for her anti-corruption record, as interim Prime Minister. Karki’s selection is historic in itself: she becomes the first woman to hold the post in Nepal. The activists have also pushed for the removal of officials tainted by links to the previous regime, while demanding that the judiciary remain independent and shielded from political manipulation.
Elections are scheduled for March 2026, and the months ahead will test whether this youth-driven movement can maintain momentum without succumbing to fatigue or division. Skeptics warn that entrenched elites and bureaucratic inertia could blunt their reformist zeal. Others fear that the loss of life during the protests may leave scars that outlast any immediate political gains.
Even with these uncertainties, Nepal’s political script has been redrafted. A generation often dismissed as disengaged or distracted has proven capable of shaking the foundations of power. What remains to be seen is whether this surge of activism will evolve into lasting reform or whether it will be remembered as a brief but intense moment when young Nepalis dared to take their country’s future into their own hands.