In a surprising turn of events, young activists in Nepal — led by a former DJ — have brought down the government and is now helping shape the country’s new leadership.
It all started with Sudan Gurung, a 36-year-old former DJ and founder of a non-profit group called Hami Nepal (“We Are Nepal”).
Using Discord, a messaging app popular among gamers, and Instagram, Gurung and his team mobilized thousands of young people across the country to protest against corruption and government failures.
At first, the protests were peaceful. But when the government banned several social media platforms, anger spread quickly. Protesters clashed with police, and violence erupted. Within hours, 72 people were killed and more than 1,300 injured — making it Nepal’s deadliest political crisis in decades.
The movement, made up mostly of Gen Z activists in their 20s, forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
Now, just days after the protests, Gurung and his team are at the center of political discussions. Although they say they don’t want to be politicians, they are playing a major role in selecting the country’s interim government.
On Thursday, they successfully convinced Nepal’s president and army chief to appoint Sushila Karki, the country’s former Chief Justice known for her strong anti-corruption stance, as the first woman Prime Minister in Nepal’s history.
“I will make sure power lies with the people and bring corrupt politicians to justice,” Gurung said at a press conference.
Meetings are ongoing to finalize who will be in the new cabinet, which is expected to serve until national elections on March 5, 2026. Hami Nepal insists that the cabinet will be made up of skilled and capable young people.
Besides Gurung, other key members of Hami Nepal include: Ojaswi Raj Thapa, a 24-year-old café owner who has become a powerful voice for the protesters.
Rehan Raj Dangal, a young law graduate who posts updates on Instagram and Discord.
Ronesh Pradhan, a 26-year-old volunteer, who said: “We’re not interested in power. We just want change and a better future.”
Together, they’ve grown their Instagram account to over 160,000 followers and used it to fight misinformation, share hospital emergency contacts, and guide peaceful protests.
Sudan Gurung is no stranger to national service. He helped organize disaster relief after Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, which killed over 9,000 people. He also supported communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, he’s using his influence to push for political reform.
While the interim government is being finalized, Hami Nepal says it wants to protect the constitution, make the judiciary more independent, and build a future where young people have real power.
“We don’t want to dissolve the constitution,” said Thapa. “But we do want real change.”
For now, Nepal is in transition — and for the first time in a long time, its youth are leading the way.
