It was the wedding of the daughter of a Nepalese politician that first angered Aditya. The 23-year-old activist was scrolling through his social media feed in May, when he read about how the high-profile marriage ceremony sparked huge traffic jams in the city of Bhaktapur. What riled him most were claims that a major road was blocked for hours for VIP guests, who reportedly included the Nepalese prime minister.
Though the claims were never verified and the politician later denied that his family had misused state resources, Aditya's mind was made up. It was, he decided, really unacceptable. Over the next few months, he noticed more posts on social media by politicians and their children, showcasing a lifestyle of extravagance amid widespread poverty.
On 8 September, angered by what he had seen and read online, Aditya joined thousands of young protesters in the streets of Kathmandu. They gathered to protest against corruption, leading to clashes with police and the resignation of the prime minister. The decision to protest was informed by witnessing the power of collective action in neighboring countries, as young people across Asia rallied against perceived injustices.
This overwhelming fervor for change is a defining characteristic of Generation Z in Asia, with protests breaking out in Indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond. These young activists are wielding social media as a double-edged sword—while it serves as a tool for mobilization and awareness, it also invites scrutiny and government censorship.
The term nepo kids has come to symbolize the frustration many feel towards the offspring of political elites, epitomizing deeper social inequalities. The protests are a reflection of a yearning for a fairer society, with many young people, like Zikri Afdinel Siregar from Indonesia, expressing anger over stark contrasts in wealth and opportunities.
The digital landscape has rapidly transformed the way young activists organize and communicate. From TikTok videos to online campaigns, social media enables rapid dissemination of information while also acting as a conduit for solidarity across borders. Nevertheless, this reliance on technology for protest action raises questions about the future of these movements and their capacity for sustained change.
As Asia witnesses a new wave of protests, one thing is clear: the Gen Z awakening is redefining the political landscape, driven by a desire for accountability, transparency, and a rejection of traditional political power structures.
