Kathmandu is burning with rage as Nepal faces its worst political crisis in decades. What began as protests against corruption has turned into a nationwide uprising led by Generation Z. The anger is fueled by the extravagant lifestyle of politicians’ children, popularly dubbed as “Nepo Kids,” flaunting luxury cars, designer handbags, and foreign vacations on social media while ordinary citizens struggle with poverty, inflation, and unemployment.
PM Oli Resigns Amid Nationwide Violence
Under mounting public pressure, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and several cabinet ministers have resigned. The situation escalated after violent clashes left at least 31 dead and over 1,000 injured. Protesters set fire to government buildings, luxury hotels, and even the Nepalese Parliament. With the capital in flames, the army has been deployed, enforcing a strict curfew across major cities.
Social Media Fury Against Political Elites
Videos of “Nepo Kids” showcasing their wealth went viral on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X, sparking massive online outrage. Hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies trended with millions of views. Posts compared the lavish lives of politicians’ children to the hardships of ordinary citizens facing power cuts, food shortages, and floods.
Nepo Kids Under Fire
- Shrinka Khatiwada – Daughter of former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada and ex-Miss Nepal, targeted for flaunting luxury homes and fashion. Protesters even torched her residence.
- Shivana Shrestha – Singer and daughter-in-law of ex-PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, criticized for displaying luxury mansions and designer outfits.
- Smita Dahal – Granddaughter of former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” trolled for flaunting handbags worth lakhs of rupees.
- Saugat Thapa – Son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, infamous for a viral picture of a Christmas tree decorated with Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Gucci boxes.
Amid the outrage, most of them have deactivated their Instagram accounts as protesters targeted their homes.
Corruption and Public Distrust
Nepal has long struggled with high corruption levels. Reports by Transparency International cite massive scandals, including a $71 million fraud in the Pokhara International Airport project. Leaders were also implicated in selling refugee quotas. Rarely punished, politicians cultivated public anger, fueling today’s crisis.
Army in Control, Future Uncertain
With parliament burned and the cabinet dissolved, Nepal is without effective leadership. President Ram Chandra Paudel urged calm, appealing to citizens to maintain peace. The army now patrols the streets, but the nation’s future hinges on whether dialogue can restore order or the crisis deepens further.
