Asia In News
How Nepal's Gen Z Is Transforming Protests Into Viral Dance Clips

Nepal is witnessing a powerful wave of protests led by its Gen Z population, who have found a distinctive way to express their dissent—through viral dance videos on social media. The unrest began after the government imposed a ban on 26 popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, igniting anger among the country’s youth. This digital blackout was not just perceived as a crackdown on communication but also as a symbol of deeper frustrations related to corruption, nepotism, and a bleak economic future.
Thousands of young Nepalese took to the streets, but unlike traditional protests, many combined their activism with creativity by dancing to trending tunes and creating reels, even outside burning government buildings such as the parliament. Videos flood the internet showing protestors dancing, filming the fires, and making TikTok sketches amid chaos. These acts have sparked debates—while some see them as trivializing serious political turmoil, many understand them as the modern generation's way of amplifying their voice and maintaining morale.
The protests escalated dramatically. Police used live ammunition on demonstrators, resulting in at least 19 deaths and hundreds more injured. The Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli eventually resigned amid the crisis, but the young protesters’ demands for accountability and change continue to resonate. Their anger goes beyond social media restrictions, targeting systemic corruption and political privilege often criticized with terms like "nepo babies," referring to nepotism in politics.
Nepal’s Gen Z protests highlight a new form of engagement where street activism intersects with social media culture. The dance videos are not mere distractions but serve as powerful tools to draw global attention and create a narrative of resistance that is both youthful and digitally savvy. In an era where digital content often shapes public opinion, this generation uses dance and viral media not just to protest but to redefine how voices of dissent are heard around the world.