PHOTO: Civil Unrest in Nepal, Sushanta Rokka on Unsplash
The world has previously witnessed unconventional paths to political leadership, from Ronald Reagan’s transition from actor to president, to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rise from comedian to head of state. It was not until recently that we saw an ex-rapper become Nepal’s new leader in a landslide victory. This moment signalled a new era of political influence driven by young people.
Balendra Shah’s rise follows a period of unrest sparked by the ban of 26 social media platforms in Nepal last year, a move that ignited Gen-Z led protests and ultimately resulted in the collapse of the ruling powers. In the aftermath, former rapper Shah secured a 66.18% majority, making him Nepal’s next Prime Minister in March.
This movement marks the third time in the last three years in which young people of South Asia have taken to the streets to reshape politics.
In mid-2024, the escalated outrage of Bangladeshi youth resulted in the fleeing of its former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This followed the use of unlawful violence against peaceful protestors seeking reforms to the job quota system, which favoured generational descent over merit.
Just two years earlier, the economic crisis stemming from government mismanagement, accumulation of foreign debt and ill-advised tax cuts incited widespread anger across Sri Lanka. Over the course of four months, hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans participated in civilian protests, which forced the resignation of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Youth Populism in South Asia
However, these crises would not have translated into sustained political change without the mobilisation and determination of young people.
South Asia has been seeing a rise in youth populism, an anti-elite sentiment amongst Gen-Z, which generally stems from triggers such as corruption or misrepresentation.
Though increasingly prevalent in recent years, young people have long been at the centre of political protests, from student activism during the Vietnam War to the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Today, this continues through Gen Z-led movements determined to challenge governments and defy aging elites. In the age of social media, mass mobilisation has become easier than ever.
Frustration over widening economic inequality found expression among Nepali youth through online campaigns such as #NepoKids, as images highlighting the privileged lifestyles of political elites circulated widely. Public anger intensified, and as the movement gained traction, Gen Z organisers turned to platforms like Discord to coordinate decentralised protests across cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara and Biratnagar. These digital networks not only enabled rapid mobilisation, but also facilitated the swift selection of an interim leader in the aftermath of the unrest.
This raises a broader question: why are young people so often at the forefront of political movements?
In part, it is because they are among the most vulnerable to economic shocks and periods of rapid social change. Across South Asia, persistent instability has created fertile ground for discontent. In Nepal, a landlocked Himalayan state bordered by two major powers, GDP growth has remained below 5% since 2020. Youth unemployment has also reached 22.7%, leaving even educated young people trapped in cycles of unemployment. A similar pattern is evident in Bangladesh, where around 40% (18 million) of those aged 15-29 are unemployed.
The inability to secure stable income, combined with rising inflation, has further deepened frustration. For Sri Lanka, prolonged inflation, which surged to 74% in the lead-up to the 2022 Aragalaya protests, was triggered by severe shortages of fuel, food and essential medicines. Schools and workplaces were forced to close, while prolonged power outages became routine. By June 2022, the United Nations estimated that 28% of the population faced moderate to severe food insecurity.
Alongside economic hardship, many young people have grown increasingly disillusioned with what they perceive as corrupt and elitist political systems. Across South Asia, entrenched political dynasties continue to dominate, with family-based recruitment often sidelining capable leaders and weakening institutional accountability.
In Sri Lanka, these concerns were amplified under the leadership of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose administration faced widespread criticism for concentrating power among family members. Those made responsible for managing the economic fallout and rising global prices were frequently relatives and friends. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, this level of mismanagement was untenable, particularly for a younger generation that was already bearing the brunt of the country’s economic decline.
PHOTO: School and college students during an anti-quota protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mojahid Mottakin on Unsplash
The Role of Youth in Politics
Recent developments in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka suggest that attempts to suppress youth-led movements through force are unlikely to succeed, and may instead intensify public backlash and further advance youth activism. Worldwide, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) predicts that youth participation in protests will continue to rise, with digital technologies playing an increasingly central role in shaping modern activism.
This trend is partly driven by a disconnect between high levels of youth political engagement and limited access to formal decision-making spaces. Despite strong interest in civic participation, young people remain underrepresented within traditional institutions. The Global Youth Participation Index reflects this imbalance, with the political affairs dimension scoring just 51 out of 100, highlighting persistent structural barriers, such as age restrictions on holding office, limited representation in legislatures and minimal roles within political parties.
As a result, Gen Z-led protests are expected to persist unless governments at both the national and local levels reform political processes to more meaningfully include younger generations and their perspectives.
Regional Implications
From across the border, India is watching closely. The uprisings in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka serve as a cautionary reminder of how quickly government stability can erode under sustained public pressure.
India has experienced its own episodes of political unrest, including anti-corruption movements of 2011 and the resurgence of farmers’ protests in 2024. However these instances have yet to escalate into a challenge capable of dislodging the national leadership, as seen elsewhere in the region.
PHOTO: Rajasthan farmers protest against the Indian government’s land acquisition attempt, Pandit Amandeep on Unsplash
Even so, policymakers remain alert to the potential spillover effects of populist movements in neighbouring states. If the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the electoral processes are compromised, India may become one step closer to facing similar regional instability. Where institutional channels weaken and citizens lose faith in their ability to voice their grievances, the risk of a domino effect in South Asia could become a reality.
Beyond public confidence, the negative implications of regime change create unease for India, specifically in relation to Bangladesh. Under the governance of Hasina, India-Bangladesh relations were experiencing a “golden era”, closely collaborating to determine land and maritime borders, as well as boost economic integration through lower tariffs, transshipment deals and infrastructure development.
In particular, the Siliguri Corridor, the only land link between mainland India and its northeastern states, is of major military, economic and geopolitical importance to India. The corridor is enclosed by three bordering nations – Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Any intervention by either of these states could sever India’s connection to its northeastern states, causing serious humanitarian and security issues. To India, maintaining good relations with Bangladesh is of the utmost benefit to reduce additional vulnerability.
However, this remains difficult as India’s decision to provide Hasina refuge and the refusal of extradition requests has fuelled rising anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh. Among Bangladeshi youth, anti-India sentiments are at an all time high, rooted in the belief that India’s support of the Hasina regime, during and post her resignation, contributed to the destruction of democracy. This has led to unsafe conditions for Indians residing in Bangladesh, particularly students who have become victims of anger manifested from these beliefs. Hence, India will not only have to grapple with the problem of stabilising relations with the current governing party of Bangladesh, but must also consider the safety of its own citizens.
PHOTO: Kathmandu, Nepal, Raimond Klavins on Unsplash
For Nepal’s new Prime Minister, Balendra Shah, the challenge now lies in translating a dramatic political shift into lasting reform. As of March 28th, the Balen Government released a 100-point agenda for governance reforms. The agenda prioritises administrative restructuring, anti-corruption efforts and digital transformation. It also outlines immediate actions, such as establishing a high-level inquiry into the violent escalation of the protests and forming an investigative committee to look into government corruption – with an aim to provide justice for the Gen-Z victims and depoliticise the bureaucracy. At present, Shah holds strong public support, though sustaining this trust will ultimately depend on the success of these reforms and the avoidance of past administrative mistakes.
As youth-led movements continue to gain momentum, governments across South Asia are likely to face increasing pressure to recognise young people not merely as protestors, but as a consequential force shaping the region’s political future.
Joan Lim
Joan is a second year Law and International Relations student. She is particularly interested in developments within the Indo-Pacific region, as well as global educational disparities. When writing about international affairs, Joan draws inspiration from her travels, hoping to connect personal observations with deeper systematic analysis. In her spare time, Joan enjoys reading historical fiction and romance!