Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network – Nordic Asia Podcast

Episode: Gen Z Uprising: Youth, Protest and Political Change in Nepal

Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Hanna Gaszewski
Guest: Dr. Jeevan Banya (Deputy Director, Social Science Baja, Kathmandu)

Main Theme

This episode delves into the historic “Five Day Revolution” in Nepal (September 8–12, 2025), exploring the underlying causes of the Gen Z–led uprising, the unique role of young Nepalis in political mobilization, and the implications for Nepal’s political future. Host Hanna Gaszewski interviews Dr. Jeevan Banya, a noted Nepali political scientist, to contextualize the roots and realities behind the protests that toppled a government and installed Nepal’s first female prime minister.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Backdrop: What Happened in Nepal's Five Day Revolution?

[00:14 - 03:24]

• On September 8th, 2025, youth-led anti-corruption protests erupted after the government banned 26 social media platforms.
• The police opened fire, leaving 19 dead, triggering national outrage.
• Escalating protests led to vandalism, the PM's resignation, and the military taking control.
• Youth organized a live-streamed election on Discord for an interim leader, selecting Sushila Khaki, sworn in as the first female prime minister.
• The parliament was dissolved; elections set for March 2026.
• The episode does not predict Nepal’s future but seeks to unpack the events’ genesis and Gen Z’s role.

“What we want to do in this episode is look back and ask what led to this uprising? What role did the youth play, the so-called Generation Z or Gen Z? What challenges are young Nepalis facing?” — Hanna Gaszewski [02:56]

2. Beyond the Social Media Ban: Deeper Grievances

[03:28 - 14:33]

• The social media ban was a catalyst, but grievances ran much deeper.
  • Many livelihoods and communication channels were disrupted.
  • The slogan “Metale vanda netale dere dukha die”—“rather than Meta, the leaders gave pain to the people”—reflected this.
• Youth had protested online against nepotism ("Nepo Baby" trend) mirroring wider discontent with political dynasties.
• Class resentment over political elites’ luxury, contrasted with hardship among ordinary Nepalis.
• Chronic corruption scandals (e.g., land deals, fake refugees, gold smuggling) and lack of punishment for offenders fueled anger.
• Political instability: constant government changes, opportunistic party coalitions betraying electoral mandates.
• Distrust in anti-corruption bodies and institutions ("Nepal’s corruption perception index scores just 34... much lower than the global average").

“People had a lot of anger against those lavish lives that these daughters and sons were living... it clearly says that people were quite displeased by what had happened.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [06:09]
“People had very low trust on the anti-graft body, particularly the CIAA and special courts here in Nepal...” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [09:39]

3. Why Now? The Generational Shift

[14:33 - 17:48]

• Past corruption and political issues are not new, raising the question: Why did Gen Z mobilize now?
• Since 2006’s pro-democracy movement, high expectations for transformation (e.g., “Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali”).
• Chronic youth unemployment (23% among 15–24) and cost of urban living have risen sharply.
• Young people are more globally connected, heightening expectations and frustrations.
• The social media ban provided a focal point for existing, long-simmering discontent to erupt.

“They were quite imbued for this kind of protest and the movements which was slightly building up, and... social media ban became the opportunity for them to express those frustrations.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [16:59]

4. Gen Z: Unity, Diversity, and Urban-Rural Dynamics

[17:48 - 21:44]

• Movement was heterogeneous—25+ independent groups, later organizing and uniting.
• Participants from across Nepal, albeit Kathmandu-centric.
• Involvement cut across caste and gender, but mostly urban, middle-class youth and rural-to-urban migrants.
• Generation X and Millennials joined later in solidarity.
• Most casualties were migrants, not Kathmandu locals, highlighting urban migration's political impact.

“Most of the Genghis came from the urban area. Rural Gen Zs were less connected, less mobilized.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [19:50]
“It was mostly, you know, the migrants from elsewhere to Kathmandu who were involved in this protest. Local people were not so much involved.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [20:46]

5. Why So Little Youth Representation in Nepali Politics?

[21:44 - 26:42]

• Nepali politics is dominated by older male elites.
• Party structures block youth advancement; those loyal to elite patrons get ahead, others are sidelined.
• Gender disparity remains pronounced, despite high youth demographics.
• There’s public desire for both internal party reform (youth leaders) and alternatives outside traditional parties (independent figures).
• Recent elections saw wins for independents, showing shifting public attitudes, but old guard retains power.

“It’s very, very difficult for the youth to get into [leadership]... mostly controlled by a few groups of male leaders.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [22:28]
“People had increasing resentment and dissatisfaction toward these old guards... they were looking for alternatives.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [23:49]

6. Looking Ahead: Paths for Youth Influence

[26:42 - 30:20]

• There’s hope but also uncertainty—Gen Z’s agenda lacks coherence, and leadership is not at the center of interim government.
• Interim government’s mandate: fair elections and investigation into protest violence.
• For transformative change, Dr. Banya argues, youth and progressives must form political parties and contest elections.
• Surge in new voters (160,000+ in 28 months) could sway upcoming polls.
• Structural inertia means old elites may persist; outcome of March 2026 elections will be critical.

“Unless the Gen Z and other youth groups or the progressive force form a political party [and] contest... there will not be a drastic change in the balance of power.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [28:33]
“Let us hope that the current fires and blaze will drift away soon and we rise again more resilient—and there are more strengths and confidence among Nepalese, even in this chaotic situation.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [29:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The events, with the speed and the skill, almost defy sense.” — Hanna Gaszewski, quoting Roman Gautam [02:36]
• “Rather than Meta, the leaders gave pain to the people.” (Protest slogan) — [05:18]
• “Poor people do not have medicine. But the daughters of leaders are on holiday in Dubai.” (Protest placard) — [06:29]
• “The party structures… make it very, very difficult for youth to get into leadership.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [22:24]
• “Maybe Gen Zs are not leading the government right now. They have asked independent people to lead the government.” — Dr. Jeevan Banya [27:54]

Important Timestamps

• [00:14] — Set-up & context for Nepal’s Five Day Revolution
• [03:28] — Real roots of Gen Z protests: beyond social media bans
• [14:33] — Why Gen Z mobilized now: expectations, disappointment, and global awareness
• [17:48] — Composition and divisions within the movement: class, geography, gender
• [21:44] — Barriers to youth political participation and old-guard dominance
• [26:42] — Prospects for the future, routes for youth influence

Tone and Style

• The discussion is candid, grounded in research and local realities, blending academic insight with participant observation.
• The episode is hopeful but realistic, wary of predicating rapid change despite clear generational momentum.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a thorough, nuanced exploration of Nepal's Gen Z–led revolution, unpacking the structural causes, the sociopolitical composition of the youth protest movement, and weighing both the possibilities and limitations for generational political change in Nepal. With in-depth analysis and vivid real-world examples, it offers crucial context for anyone seeking to understand Asian youth politics or Nepal's ongoing transformation.