Explore Nepal's explosive 2025 Gen Z protests, fueled by corruption and a social media ban. Unpack regional democratic challenges, India's political landscape, and South Asia's future.
The air in Kathmandu in September 2025 hung heavy with more than just the usual monsoon humidity; it was thick with a palpable tension, a generational defiance that would soon ignite into a full-blown political inferno.
What began as a protest against a seemingly innocuous social media ban quickly spiraled into a dramatic uprising, shaking Nepal’s political establishment to its core and sending ripples across South Asia.
This wasn't just a local spat; it was a potent reminder of the global challenges facing democracies, where youth activism, fueled by economic despair and a hunger for justice, can shatter the status quo.
From the bustling streets of Nepal to the halls of power in New Delhi, the events of those tumultuous days unveiled a complex tapestry of corruption, political instability, and the enduring struggle for human rights, echoing conversations about the very future of democracy in the region.
This is a story of a generation pushed to its limits, an urgent cry for political accountability and transparency, and a stark examination of how quickly societal frustrations can escalate into calls for revolution.
It’s also a story that forces us to ask tough questions about the nature of democracy itself in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, where external influences and internal fragilities constantly vie for control.
The Gaslighting | The Spark
A Digital Lifeline Cut
The fuse was lit on September 4, 2025, when the Government of Nepal abruptly ordered the shutdown of 26 major social media platforms.
Services like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat suddenly went dark across the Himalayan nation.
The official reason given was the platforms' failure to register under new rules set by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, a requirement that included appointing a local contact, a grievance handler, and a self-regulation person.
While some platforms like TikTok, Viber, WeTalk, and Nimbuzz had reportedly complied, the sudden digital blackout for a population heavily reliant on these channels sparked immediate outrage.
Nepal, with a median age of 25 and nearly one social media account for every two people, boasts one of the highest social media usage rates in South Asia.
For many, especially the young, these platforms were more than just entertainment; they were vital communication tools, particularly for connecting with the hundreds of thousands of Nepalis working abroad whose remittances constitute 33% of the country's GDP.
The ban, therefore, wasn't just an inconvenience; it was a severance of a digital lifeline.
The Nepo Kid Phenomenon
But the social media ban was merely a spark, not the true cause of the simmering discontent that had been building for years. Beneath the surface of digital connectivity lay a deep well of public frustration over pervasive government corruption, rampant nepotism, and allegations of public fund mismanagement.
A viral social media trend, dubbed the "Nepo Kid" campaign, had meticulously highlighted the lavish lifestyles of children and relatives of influential political leaders. These "nepo babies" flaunted foreign degrees, luxury cars, and holiday villas on platforms like TikTok and Reddit, creating a stark contrast with the average Nepali, who earned a mere US$1,400 per year.
One TikTok video, reportedly viewed over a million times, showed these privileged youth partying abroad, while at home, a staggering 20% youth unemployment rate forced hundreds of thousands to migrate annually for work.
This digital rebellion reflected long-standing grievances, including corruption scandals like the $71 million Pokhara airport embezzlement and a fake refugee scam where politicians allegedly took money to disguise job-seekers as Bhutanese refugees.
For a generation struggling with a bleak job market and unaffordable healthcare and education, the ban on platforms that exposed such inequalities felt like the ultimate insult, "adding fuel to the fire" of their anger. As one protester eloquently put it, "We want our country back".
From Online Outrage to Street Uprising
The Days of September 2025
The outrage quickly spilled from the digital realm onto the streets, even as the government attempted to silence it. Activists, communicating through VPNs and the still-functioning TikTok, organized mass protests.
September 8, 2025:
The Fatal Crackdown
On September 8, just four days after the social media ban, Kathmandu erupted. Thousands of students and young citizens, many still in school uniforms, converged on Maitighar Mandala, a busy intersection and iconic landmark. Organized by Anil Baniya of Hami Nepal, an NGO known for disaster aid, the rally was intended to be peaceful.
Protesters carried signs declaring, "Shut down corruption – not social media," "Unban social media," and "No More Nepo Babies". Organizers like Gen.Z Nepal used Instagram to circulate instructions, emphasizing non-partisanship and explicitly discouraging party flags or political leaders, even disavowing monarchist figures like Durga Prasai.
However, the peaceful intentions quickly dissolved into chaos. As protesters neared the Federal Parliament building in New Baneshwor, security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, tragically, live ammunition when some attempted to breach barricades.
This harsh crackdown, rather than deterring the youth, only emboldened them. Reports emerged of police attacking the wounded in hospitals and even sexually assaulting women in their homes. Miss Nepal Earth 2022, Sareesha Shrestha, posted a tearful video lamenting, "Students, even minors, were shot". The hashtags #HatyaraSarkar ("Murderer Government") and #ResignKPOli trended online, amplifying the outrage.
By the end of September 8, Nepal had experienced its deadliest day of unrest since its civil war. At least 19 protesters were killed, and 347 people were injured, with unofficial estimates even higher. Three police officers also died in Koteshwor.
Curfews were imposed in major cities including Kathmandu, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Pokhara, Itahari, and Damak. In a desperate attempt to de-escalate, the government lifted the social media ban in the evening, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, taking "moral responsibility" for the killings. But it was too late; the protests had moved beyond the ban, now demanding the complete overthrow of the government for its "heavy-handed and bloody crackdown".
September 9, 2025
Government on the Run
The following day, September 9, saw the crisis deepen dramatically. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, despite earlier instructing his Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) ministers not to resign, stepped down and reportedly fled to an army barracks in Shivapuri. While there were conflicting reports of President Ram Chandra Poudel also resigning, the Nepalese Army denied these claims.
Despite the resignations, protests continued nationwide with increased intensity and violence. Mobs targeted symbols of government and power across Kathmandu and other cities. Parts of Singha Durbar, the administrative headquarters, were set ablaze, along with the Supreme Court building, the president's residence at Sital Niwas, and the prime minister's residence at Baluwatar. The federal parliament building was torched. The headquarters of the ruling UML party and the Nepali Congress were vandalized, with party flags stripped and burned.
Attacks extended to the homes of individual politicians: former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba were injured and their house set on fire. Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh's house and vehicle were torched. Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s residence and former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal’s residence were also set ablaze, injuring Khanal's wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, who later died from her burns. Even the Kantipur media house, known for supporting the government, was set on fire, disrupting its online news portal.
In a chilling development, protesters went to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to block political leaders from fleeing the country. The airport was subsequently closed and occupied by the Nepali Army, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and diverting international flights. Jailbreaks also occurred nationwide, with prisons in Kailali, Nakhu, and Kaski attacked, leading to the escape of over 13,500 inmates. Rabi Lamichhane, chief of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and a vocal critic of Oli, was freed from Nakhu Jail by protesters.
Amidst the escalating violence, workers formed the Safal Workers' Street Committee to defend protesters and issued demands including the arrest of the government, disarmament of the state, and the election of worker assemblies. Nepali Army commander Ashok Raj Sigdel reportedly advised Oli to resign to allow the Army to restore peace. Later that evening, the Army announced it would "take charge" of the country to maintain "law and order" in the absence of the prime minister, appealing for public cooperation as troops were deployed.
September 10, 2025
Aftermath and Army's Role
On September 10, Nepali Army forces patrolled critical areas, armed with various assault rifles and submachine guns. General Sigdel again encouraged peacefulness and talks. The Army announced the detention of 27 individuals for looting and arson, seizing weaponry, and returning 73 rifles.
However, two inmates were shot dead by soldiers during an attempted jailbreak in Dhading District, and another jailbreak was thwarted in Kathmandu's main prison. TIA's closure was extended but eventually resumed operations.
Protesters held online discussions to select an interim leader, with former Chief Justice Sushila Karki reportedly chosen, while other candidates like Balen Shah and Kul Man Ghising were considered.
Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, an engineer and rapper, expressed support for the youth movement, stating the importance of listening to their voices, though he couldn't attend due to an age limit set by organizers. Despite the previous day's violence, some protesters were seen cleaning the street near the burned parliament building.
Beyond the Ban
Deep-Seated Grievances and a Generation's Cry
While the social media ban was the immediate catalyst, the scale and ferocity of the Nepali Gen Z protests underscored deeper, systemic issues that had long plagued the country.
Youth Unemployment and Economic Disparity
One of the most significant underlying factors was the dire economic situation faced by Nepali youth. With 20% youth unemployment, and the average Nepali earning only $1,400 per year, many young people felt a profound sense of hopelessness. The country's economy relies heavily on remittances, making up 33% of its GDP, a stark indicator of the lack of structural transformation in the domestic economy towards an employment-first model.
This pushes young people into online work or, more commonly, to seek employment abroad, with hundreds of thousands leaving each year. The "Nepo Kid" trend, therefore, wasn't just about flaunted wealth; it symbolized a pervasive elite capture of opportunity, leaving ordinary citizens, particularly the youth, with limited prospects at home.
A History of Corruption
The youth's "disbelief in authority" stemmed from a long history of perceived government corruption and lack of accountability. Critics pointed to incidents like a 2017 Airbus deal that cost the exchequer 1.47 billion rupees ($10.4 million) due to mismanagement, or the alleged fake refugee scam. Despite inquiries and convictions, public frustration over these scandals simmered, as they "never seem to reach a fair conclusion".
The widespread display of wealth by politicians' families contrasted sharply with the struggles of the average Nepali, fueling anger and a demand for governmental accountability and transparency.
The Search for Accountability and Transparency
The protests represented a collective cry for justice and a functional democracy. Anil Baniya of Hami Nepal, who initially organized the peaceful rally, stated that the government's response with live ammunition to thrown stones was unacceptable, regardless of "external forces" hijacking the protest. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s resignation, though a small concession, was seen by some as an initial step towards accountability.
Human rights groups, both domestic and international, swiftly condemned the violence and called for independent investigations. The National Human Rights Commission in Nepal urged authorities to "show restraint" and avoid excessive force.
Amnesty International condemned the "unlawful use of lethal and less-lethal force," demanding accountability and a de-escalation of violence. Human Rights Watch (HRW) echoed these sentiments, highlighting the Nepali government's "record of silencing online speech" and asserting that the police shootings demonstrated an "appalling disregard for the lives of its own citizens".
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) jointly demanded an immediate halt to brutality and the upholding of fundamental rights. These calls underscored the deep-seated desire among citizens for a government that respects civil liberties and genuinely serves its people.
Nepal's Revolution
Organic or Orchestrated?
Amidst the chaos and calls for change, a persistent question emerged: were these protests a truly organic outpouring of youth frustration, or were they part of a larger, potentially orchestrated "deep state" regime change in South Asia?
The "Deep State" Theories
The speed and intensity of the Nepalese uprising, following similar events in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years, led many on social media to question its purely organic nature. Some popular figures had even tweeted in late 2024 that Nepal would see protests demanding a return of the monarchy, intensifying in 2025, feeding into a theory of a "deep state" attempt to engineer regime change in the region.
Users online pointed to a perceived "Asia Cup of regime change," noting political upheavals across India's neighborhood – Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Nepal.
A viral video from March 2025 showing a student referencing King Birendra’s quote, "Even if I die, shall my country live on," further fueled speculation about a monarchist restoration. Indeed, talks about restoring the monarchy did re-emerge, with former King Gyanendra seen as a "symbol of resistance" for those disillusioned with the current political system.
Others, however, pushed back against these conspiracy theories, arguing that the Nepalese people were genuinely disillusioned with their democratic options and that the social media ban was simply the final trigger.
While skepticism about linking every South Asian protest to spy agencies exists, the geopolitical undercurrents cannot be ignored. Prime Minister Oli's government was seen as increasingly aligned with Beijing, and TikTok's exemption from the social media ban, while Western platforms were blocked, reinforced perceptions of growing Chinese influence.
Yet, the rapid collapse of the ban and Oli’s government suggested that internal anger, rather than external powers, primarily dictated the events. The debate remains: was it a visceral expression of a generation’s frustrations, or a move on a larger geopolitical chessboard? Perhaps, it was both.
South Asia's Shifting Democratic Landscape
The events in Nepal were not an isolated incident but rather a microcosm of broader challenges facing democracy across South Asia.
The International IDEA's "South Asia Foresight Report 2025" highlighted that democracy is "in trouble" globally, with electoral turnout trending downwards and protests increasing.
South Asia, with its "dramatic departures from the status quo" like Sheikh Hasina's abdication in Bangladesh and the surprise election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka in 2024, is no exception.
These events, along with the situation in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, indicate a region where "overall democratic performance is weaker than five years before".
The report aimed to explore how democracy might develop in the region over the next 15 years, proposing four scenarios: Continuation, Disciplined Improvement, Decline, and Transformation.
The Regional Ripple Effect
India's Democratic Challenges
India, Nepal's giant neighbor, watched the unfolding crisis with "deep concern," its Ministry of External Affairs closely monitoring the situation, expressing grief over casualties, and advising its citizens in Nepal to follow safety guidelines.
The unrest impacted activities along the India-Nepal border, with an advisory issued for Indian citizens to avoid travel to Nepal. This close monitoring wasn't just about humanitarian concerns; it reflected India's own complex democratic journey and the growing anxieties about its future.
The Rise of Hindu Nationalism
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India has faced increasing scrutiny over its democratic health, with its status categorized as "Partly Free" in the "Freedom in the World 2025 Country Report".
Critics argue that Modi's government exhibits tendencies aligning with "modern Indian fascism". Mukul Kesavan, an Indian historian, suggests that contemporary majoritarianism in South Asia is "fascism in slow motion," drawing parallels between the BJP's ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and historical fascist regimes.
The RSS, founded in 1925, defines India as a Hindu nation, only allowing Hindus as members, and focuses on mobilizing a religious majority against an "encroaching minority".
This ideology has translated into discriminatory policies and a rise in persecution targeting Muslims. Incidents include lynchings, the bulldozing of Muslim homes, and the criminalization of interfaith love through the "love jihad" bogey. M.S. Golwalkar, a principal RSS ideologue, explicitly referenced Nazi Germany's purging of "Semitic races" as a "good lesson for us in Hindusthan to learn and profit by" in 1939.
The BJP has taken this lesson to heart, with its leaders referring to Muslims as "termites" and making concerted efforts to marginalize them politically.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), implemented in March 2024, offers Indian citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted minorities from neighboring countries but explicitly excludes Muslim refugees, which critics argue erodes India's secular values and effectively classifies Muslims as illegal immigrants by linking it with a national register of citizens.
Erosion of Civil Liberties and Media Freedom
The "Freedom in the World 2025" report notes a significant increase in the harassment of journalists, NGOs, and other government critics under Modi's tenure. Academic freedom has weakened, with professors and students facing intimidation over political and religious issues, and academics pressured to avoid topics deemed sensitive by the BJP government.
Personal expression is constrained by colonial-era laws and "troll armies" associated with the BJP, which routinely harass individuals, particularly Muslims, for criticizing the government. Surveillance concerns are rampant, with revelations of Pegasus spyware and Apple alerts about "mercenary spyware attacks" targeting prominent Indian users.
Media freedom has "escalated dramatically" as attacks on the press have increased, leading to "significantly less ambitious" reporting and Hindu nationalist campaigns encouraging self-censorship. Tax raids on media outlets like the BBC, after a documentary critical of Modi was released, underscore the government's efforts to silence critical voices.
Laws concerning security, defamation, sedition, and hate-speech are invoked to quiet critics. Professor Alpa Shah from the London School of Economics and Oxford highlights "substantial criticism regarding media freedom," with allegations of censorship and harassment. She notes that the mainstream media often propagates the government's version of events, leading to a public largely ignorant of the "atrocities and brutality" happening across the country.
Cronyism and Selective Justice
Allegations of rampant cronyism and corruption plague Modi's administration, despite its emphasis on anti-corruption. Critics claim "favourable policies and contracts" are awarded to select large corporations, leading to accusations of favoritism.
The Supreme Court's ruling against the electoral bonds scheme in February 2024 revealed how corporations channeled large funds to political parties, often followed by policy changes in their favor.
The government has also been accused of "selective, partisan enforcement," with 115 out of 121 political leaders investigated by the Enforcement Directorate since 2014 belonging to opposition parties.
Cases against 23 out of 25 opposition leaders who later joined the BJP were reportedly dropped or resolved in their favor. The pre-election arrests of opposition chief ministers and the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the main opposition party further fueled concerns about the misuse of investigative agencies for political targeting.
A "Modern Indian Fascism"?
Alpa Shah, in her book "The Incarcerations," argues that India is experiencing a "modern Indian fascism," asserting that terms like majoritarianism or cultural nationalism fail to convey the "gravity of the threat to democracy". She identifies several "essential ingredients" of this fascism:
- Powerful and Continuing Nationalism: Centrality of Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) with strong cultural pride, but crossing into exclusionary attitudes.
- Disdain for Human Rights: Allegations of abuses, especially concerning minorities, citing CAA, revocation of Article 370, and suppression of protests.
- Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats: "Anti-nationals," Muslims, NGOs, and activists are often labeled as state enemies.
- Supremacy of the Military (or heightened emphasis): Increased focus on military strength and its use for political messaging.
- Controlled Mass Media: Restrictions, censorship, and harassment of journalists reporting critically.
- Obsession with National Security: A major focus, often used to justify laws like UAPA which critics say suppress dissent.
- Religion and Government Intertwined: Policies and rhetoric reflecting Hindu nationalist undertones, putting pressure on secularism.
- Corporate Power Protected: Close ties with major corporations, leading to accusations of favoritism.
- Labour Power Suppressed: Labour reforms perceived as weakening worker protections.
- Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts: Harassment and arrests of intellectuals opposing government policies; curriculum changes to align with Hindu nationalist narratives.
- Obsession with Crime and Punishment: Rigorous application of laws like UAPA, infringing on civil liberties.
- Rampant Cronyism and Corruption: Favorable policies and contracts to select corporations, lack of transparency.
- Fraudulent Elections (or lack of transparency): Allegations of bias and unfair practices in campaign finance and media coverage.
Shah argues that the crucial missing element in other terms like cultural nationalism is the "violence that is at stake," both physical on the streets and the metaphorical violence of fear and self-silencing.
She states that the current regime is "worse" than Indira Gandhi's 1975-77 Emergency because it has "silently taken over State institutions, the media and crushed Ordinary People through incarceration vigilante policing and Terror tactics without the need to declare extraordinary circumstances". This "slow-motion" approach, combined with the politics of hate against Muslims, distinguishes it from previous authoritarian periods.
While Modi's persona and strategic brilliance are acknowledged, Shah believes the problem is deeper, rooted in a century of Hindu nationalist organization and a complicity from various segments of society.
Imagining Democratic Futures for South Asia
The turmoil in Nepal and the democratic challenges in India offer a stark backdrop to the "South Asia Foresight Report 2025," which outlined four potential scenarios for the region's democratic future by 2040.
These scenarios, developed by experts, are not predictions but rather extrapolations of existing trends and possibilities, designed to inspire action and better choices today.
Continuation
Business as Usual, But Worse
In the "Continuation" scenario, South Asia in 2040 is fragmented, dominated by authoritarian rulers and populists. Wealth inequality continues to grow, and pollution renders large urban centers "unliveable". Rights frameworks are deprioritized, and public finances depend heavily on international financing, particularly from restrictive IMF and Chinese loans.
Electoral turnout declines as voters become disillusioned with limited policy choices. Internal migration shifts the relationship between citizens and the state, strengthening local institutions at the expense of national governments. While horizontal social bonds may offer some welfare, they often come at the cost of the rights of women, LGBTQIA+ people, and the poorest.
This path is characterized by a failure to enact bold climate measures, leading to individuals adapting through private means (air purifiers, solar panels). Civic engagement becomes localized, and national political action on environmental issues dwindles.
A lack of democratic accountability ensures that environmental harms are widely shared, but economic gains are concentrated among elites, often from extractive industries. The shrinking civic space sees civil society organizations losing funding and facing onerous regulations.
Geopolitical pressure lessens, but dependence on foreign capital produces similar outcomes for democratic politics. Traditional values gain ground, often at the expense of civil liberties, and law-bound courts become primarily for the wealthy.
Highly educated workers continue to leave, while lower-income groups migrate from polluted cities to the countryside, leading to varied local governance experiments.
Decline
The Dance of Shiva
The "Decline" scenario paints an even bleaker picture, where democracy has deteriorated in "every respect". Electoral processes and checks and balances are in steady decline, and civil society is virtually nonexistent. Mainstream media falls under state or "crony-capitalist control," with journalism largely produced by AI language models. The surveillance and censorship industry becomes a significant employer, effectively neutralizing social media.
Local ecological breakdown, despite climate stabilization, appears irreversible. Marginalized communities are scapegoated, serving as both political support for authoritarians and visible threats to the new social order. Electoral participation is high, but voting merely secures political patronage rather than expressing the will of the people.
Climate change intensifies, causing heatwaves, unpredictable typhoons, and glacial lake outburst floods, emptying the countryside and leading to mass migration. Government make-work schemes, though partially alleviating unemployment, lead to entrenched corruption and patrimonial systems.
A weakened West withdraws support for human rights and Westminster-style democracy. India develops its own authoritarian model, competing with China for regional hegemony, trapping smaller nations in a dysfunctional counterbalancing act.
Regional cooperation shrinks, harming ethnic and religious minorities who are viewed as "potential traitors".
Urban unemployment for skilled tech workers is partially addressed by private surveillance and AI-produced entertainment industries, procured by states. Despite state control, pockets of resistance and new forms of collective self-government emerge among indigenous and marginalized peoples.
Old-fashioned journalism persists underground, and new networks for personal freedom develop locally.
Disciplined Improvement
From Multilaterals to Mini-laterals
In contrast, the "Disciplined Improvement" scenario offers a future where South Asian democracy stabilizes through regional collaboration and resilience.
This path is catalyzed by a catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami in 2025, triggering mass displacement and food insecurity.
In response, governments, pressured by civil society, collectively address disaster management and climate change. Regional agreements reduce visa restrictions and facilitate freedom of movement, and joint solutions for affordable housing are initiated to integrate migrants. Bodies like ASEAN and SAARC serve as vehicles for these agreements.
While migrants initially struggle with limited rights, a regional catastrophe fund, supported by public and private sectors, is established to address climate-displaced populations.
Despite challenges, the fund strengthens civic engagement and a resolve to address economic inequalities, with activists successfully demanding accountability through courts. Knowledge transfer initiatives between countries like India and Pakistan on pollution and labor migration governance begin to bear fruit.
AI is effectively incorporated into climate adaptation and migration processes, though concerns about weak data governance and potential surveillance remain.
Some countries, like Nepal, experiment with "intergenerational trauma and anger management" discourse in political consultations to counter social inequalities.
By 2035, new, collaborative leaders emerge from protests, implementing a "South Asian order rooted in mini-lateralism" prioritizing economic integration and green transitions, while upholding democratic norms.
Efforts are made to dismantle surveillance states, strengthen data governance, and proactive civil society activism prevents the rise of authoritarian leaders.
By 2040, increased regional cooperation, a pilot common currency, and proposals for South Asian citizenship proliferate democratic norms and expand trade networks.
Transformation
A Green and Equitable Future
The "Transformation" scenario presents the most hopeful outlook, envisioning South Asia as a "global epicentre of democratic progress" by 2040.
This future begins with growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the West in 2026, fueling reverse migration, as South Asian governments incentivize youth to return with expanded financial opportunities and inclusive socio-political environments.
Large-scale youth-led demonstrations, like those sparked by unprecedented heavy rainfall in Nepal, demand action on disaster mitigation.
Governments respond by expanding youth- and gender-inclusive policies, leading to more representative institutions, particularly at the local level.
They prioritize environmentally sustainable measures and tap into youth expertise, attracting young migrants back from Western countries through scholarships and support for ethical tech start-ups.
Issues like corruption are tackled through crowdsourcing platforms. By 2035, South Asia becomes a "solarpunk society," where nature, technology, and social equity coexist harmoniously. Deliberative democracy, through citizen assemblies and juries, becomes the main form of political organization, incorporating Indigenous knowledge into policymaking.
The development of "civillages"—integrated city and village spaces—bridges urban-rural divides, fostering sustainable economic growth and equality. These are inspired by India's peri-urbanization and "rurban areas" and represent a profound values shift away from extractive capitalism towards sustainable and egalitarian values.
Geopolitical power shifts, including declining Western influence and expanded trade networks between India and China, lead to greater regional cooperation.
A revamped SAARC focuses on common challenges like climate change, and increased cooperation reduces the securitization of development issues, allowing governments to focus on democratization initiatives. By 2040, 40 South Asian civillages are listed among the world’s top liveable cities.
Conclusion
A Crossroads for Democracy
The Nepal protests of 2025 were more than just a fleeting moment of unrest; they were a raw, visceral expression of a generation’s profound frustrations.
From the digital outrage against social media censorship to the streets burning with demands for political accountability and transparency, the events revealed deep-seated grievances about government corruption, nepotism, and a lack of economic opportunity.
This youth-led uprising, which saw a Prime Minister flee and government buildings ablaze, serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between governance and citizen trust, particularly in an era of rapid technological change and heightened global connectivity.
The regional and international reactions, from India’s careful monitoring to the United Nations’ calls for restraint and human rights investigations, underscore the interconnectedness of South Asia’s democratic fate. Whether these protests were purely organic or influenced by broader geopolitical currents, they undeniably highlight a critical juncture for the region.
As the "South Asia Foresight Report 2025" outlines, the future of democracy in this populous and strategically vital part of the world hangs in the balance, teetering between a potential "Decline" into authoritarianism and ecological collapse, a "Continuation" of suboptimal governance, a "Disciplined Improvement" through regional collaboration, or a "Transformation" into an equitable, deliberative "solarpunk society."
The case of India, with its own complex trajectory under the BJP, further complicates this regional outlook Corruption, Social Media, and the Future of Democracy
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