Nepal went through a remarkable people’s revolution. This tremendous shift was mostly driven by social media platforms—namely Reddit and Discord. The insurgency took aim at the widespread corruption that was really nepotism in the government. It eventually proved successful in forcing the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. Local young activists and citizens in Nepal drove the activism. Their fury deepened as they saw politicians enjoying elite lifestyles while taxpayers’ money was blown away, blanketed in poverty.
The project is directed by Ujjwal Acharya at NepalFactCheck.org in Kathmandu. He works hard to keep track of the social media narrative out there, especially in this critical window. He saw firsthand the havoc misinformation was wreaking and how it was laced with real anger and frustrations of the people. Indeed, the revolution points to a larger trend happening across Asia. In recent years, mass protests have erupted like never before, usually started by the organizing prowess of social media.
The Role of Social Media in Mobilization
Social media quickly morphed into a powerful political tool. In Nepal, platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Discord played a key role in organizing protests and articulating frustration. The #NepoBabies videos became particularly influential, capturing the emotions of young people who felt disconnected from a political elite living lavishly while many struggled to survive.
Acharya highlighted the importance of social media in mobilizing youth activists:
“This is the role that social media played in organising youth. Even though they were fragmented, even though they were leaderless, they needed to do something if they wanted a better future for themselves.”
Misinformation plagued the movement. Acharya noted that a lot of the information spreading on the web was based on speculation or fringe misinformation that was pretty obvious to detect. He expressed concern over the potential ramifications of misinformation, especially with impending elections:
“What will happen if people have time to plan for this? We have elections in six months. Groups who intentionally want to spread misinformation, they have time to plan.”
The government’s response to the uprising included attempts to ban certain platforms, reflecting its anxiety over the mobilizing power of social media.
The Impact of Visual Storytelling
The revolution created a remarkable showcase of contrast. On the one hand, elected officials were wined and dined, while everyday people were forced to languish in hell. Images showcasing politicians’ children enjoying luxury European holidays alongside visuals of Nepal’s extreme poverty resonated deeply with the youth. This stark contrast stoked anger, causing millions of Americans to wonder what their elected leaders were doing with their priorities.
Acharya noted how a map identifying the residences of political figures circulated widely among protestors:
“The map was developed for the youth to go in front of the houses of the politician and demonstrate. It wasn’t meant to be used to go to the houses and set them on fire.”
Whatever the motives behind these actions may have genuinely been, relations soured further when protestors themselves turned to violence. The heavy-handed police tactics did not needlessly provoke confrontation, putting innocent bystanders in harm’s way. Acharya reflected on this tragic turn:
“But when the police started using heavy-handed tactics, innocent protesters who had no idea that this would flare up into live ammunition firing were hit.”
This emotional impact transported through these images created the young people of Nepal’s support, creating a feeling of unity among them.
Broader Implications for Governance
While it was remarkable, the revolution in Nepal is part of a broader trend sweeping across Asia. Five years of mass protests have unseated regimes, closed borders and deep-fried megacities. These movements highlight a growing discontent with governance and a demand for accountability. Acharya emphasized how social media has been essential in this regard:
“Governments are not able to deliver on their promises. Social media is providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, but also to voice dissatisfaction and anger.”
Experts like Dr. DB Subedi have noted the evolving role of social media in contemporary politics:
“Social media is no longer just a site for entertainment and networking. It has increasingly become a political site.”
Youth activism and digital platforms have combined to produce an undeniable force. Recent happenings in Nepal vividly demonstrate how they are able to directly confront and disrupt established power structures.
