From Protest to Interim Government:
On September 8, Gen Z–led anti-corruption protests escalated in Nepal, setting fire to parliament, government offices, and homes of senior politicians, while 72 people lost their lives.This tense situation forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and four of his ministers resigned, which created a sudden power vacuum in the Nepali political landscape. Meanwhile, the army imposed a nationwide curfew and opened talks with both the protesters and the president to contain the unrest. On the other hand, young protesters drafted a manifesto demanding anti-corruption measures and constitutional reforms. Gen Z leader Sudan Gurung urged the dissolution of parliament, pointing to public distrust in corrupt leaders. A meeting was then held among the army, President Paudel, and youth protest organizers to discuss a nominee to be the interim prime minister. On September 12, Sushila Karki was elected through a Discord voting process.
Who Is Sushila Karki:
Sushila Karki became Nepal’s former female Chief Justice (2016) and earned a long-standing reputation among the youth for advocating judicial independence, women’s rights, and fighting against corruption. Among her significant rulings, she sentenced three soldiers to 20 years in prison for the murder of Maina Sunuwa, a teenage girl, considered the second wartime conviction in Nepal’s history. She also overturned a contested government-favoured police chief appointment, which led to an impeachment attempt by the government.
Karki received strong public backing, along with support from international bodies such as the United Nations, when she openly criticised the impeachment attempt against her, describing it as politically motivated. She retired in 2017 after reaching the mandatory age. Both Karki and her husband, Durga Prasad Subedi, took part in Nepal’s 1990 People’s Movement that ended the Panchayat system. Earlier, Subedi was imprisoned for his alleged involvement in a 1973 Royal Nepal Airlines hijacking organized to raise funds for the pro-democracy struggle.
Discord’s Impromptu Vote In Nepal:
During Nepal’s political unrest after Prime Minister Oli stepped down, Hami Nepal, led by Sudan Gurung, used Discord, an online communication platform, to conduct an impromptu vote for the interim government leadership. The Youth Against Corruption server quickly attracted over 145,000 members, providing a space for debates and candidate nominations that involved figures like Balen Shah, mayor of Kathmandu, and Mahabir Pun.Over 7,700 votes were cast, and she secured over 50% of the votes, making her Nepal’s interim prime minister for six months. The episode highlights the power of digital activism, enabling young people to mobilize, debate, and take part in political decision-making in ways that traditional methods had not allowed for years.
However, the entire digital process faced several challenges, as some protest members described it as a “trial and error” learning experience. Technical issues arose, such as server overloads and the platform’s openness, which made this movement vulnerable to misinformation, where false or unverified content could influence people’s opinions and participation. Meanwhile, some students questioned the credibility of the host organization, Hami Nepal. Many analysts praised the efforts of young activists, highlighting their transformative use of digital democracy and the difficulties they faced while managing political processes online. However, the voting process lacked proper authentication, raising questions about its fairness and credibility.
Did Karki’s First Moves Match Gen Z’s Demands?
Even before the protests, Karki motivated young people to speak out against corruption, assume leadership roles, and condemned the failures of the past 35 years that had held the country back. Many youth saw her as a symbol of the honesty and accountability they demanded from politicians. Karki described the protests as a rebellion against a corrupt old order and vowed to serve only for six months as a caretaker.
Raksha Bam, a key representative of Gen Z protests, stated:
“We wanted to see Karki as prime minister given her integrity,
lifelong pursuit of justice, and anti-corruption image”
She took immediate steps, including dissolving parliament, announcing elections for March 2026, and appointing three trusted, reform-minded ministers, Om Prakash Aryal, Rameshwar Prasad Khanal, and Kulman Ghising, to her interim cabinet to prepare for the new elections.
Nepal Divided Over Karki’s Appointment:
Opinion among citizens remains divided over whether legal procedures were properly followed, Sudan Gurung’s leadership as the youth movement’s representative, and the legitimacy of the Discord process, leaving uncertainty about how to reconcile reform with constitutional principles. Former Supreme Court Justice Anil Kumar Sinha described Karki as a reliable choice to manage the country during the transitional stage, while chartered accountant Biraj Aryal emphasized her judicial expertise and crisis management skills. The prominent candidate Balen Shah also praised Karki, further strengthening her legitimacy and public trust. However, some constitutional experts have questioned the legality of appointing a former chief justice as prime minister, noting that the Nepali Constitution does not allow it.
A New Turning Point in Nepali Politics:
Nepal’s recent youth-led protests represent a historic political transition when compared with earlier movements since the monarchy was abolished in 2008. This revolution’s success lies in its non-traditional nature, including the absence of central leadership, its spread through digital mobilization, and its ability to create meaningful impact within days. The youth have confronted long-standing patronage systems that have undermined them economically and politically. Over the past 15 years, youth-led protests have taken place, such as the 2015 anti-corruption demonstrations, but none produced such a political shift. Beyond Nepal’s republican democratic structure, the protests also revealed a deep gap between young people and established political parties. According to analysts, the key concern now is whether these protests will set new benchmarks for honesty, openness, and civic participation in Nepal’s institutions, or revert to old cycles of instability, leaving only symbolic progress behind.
Breaking Gender Barriers:
The 2015 constitution set a target of 33 percent female representation in parliament, but this goal has not yet been achieved. As a result, Karki has become a role model for young women in politics and a challenger to long-standing gender stereotypes. Her appointment is not just symbolic, but also an opportunity to advance genuine gender equality and inclusive governance. Karki’s leadership can be seen as a landmark example for women across the globe, especially in developing countries, showing that they can play a decisive role in stabilizing their societies.
As Nepali poet Professor Abhi Subedi observed,
“Her ability to stand firmly for justice is her strength. That courage,
character, and vision inspired Gen Z youth to see her as their leader.”
Implications of Nepal’s Revolt for Asian Politics
Nepal’s transformative movement complements previous so-called youth-led “Asian Spring” movements, such as the 2022 protests in Sri Lanka that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign amid soaring inflation, and the demonstrations in Bangladesh demanding a fair job quota. Yet both movements failed to deliver long-term stability for their countries, and the same question now hangs over Nepal. In the coming years, Nepal’s unconventional electoral participation, female leadership, and youth-led digital mobilization may inspire similar trends in Asia’s fragile states as they seek to confront corruption and dismantle gender stereotypes in governance.
Maryam Iftikhar
The Author completed her degree in International Relations at Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, and is passionate about global politics, regional studies, and climate justice.
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