Nepal has been shaken by waves of youth-led protests in recent weeks. What began as anger over a short-lived social media ban has snowballed into nationwide outrage against corruption, inequality, and a political class accused of privileging their own children over ordinary citizens.

At the heart of this anger lies growing resentment toward the so-called “nepo kids”—the sons and daughters of powerful politicians—whose glamorous lifestyles are being splashed across social media feeds in stark contrast to the hardships of millions of Nepalis.

The Spark Behind the Uprising

The demonstrations, led largely by Gen Z, erupted after the government attempted to clamp down on online platforms. Instead of silencing dissent, the move amplified frustrations that had been simmering for years.

With one in four Nepalis still living below the poverty line, images of political elites’ children vacationing abroad, driving luxury cars, and flaunting designer fashion ignited fury. Many young protestors see these displays as proof that privilege—not merit—is the true currency of success in the country.

So far, the clashes between demonstrators and security forces have left 34 people dead and over 1,000 injured, while government offices, politicians’ residences, and public infrastructure have come under attack.

How ‘Nepo Kids’ Became a Symbol of Inequality

On TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X, hashtags such as #NepoBabies, #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, and #Nepokids have gained millions of views. Viral posts juxtapose luxury holidays, fine dining, and lavish wardrobes of political families with footage of citizens battling floods, inflation, and power cuts.

This digital revolt helped shape the protests into something much larger than a fight against censorship—it became a movement against privilege and corruption.

Who Are Nepal’s Most Talked-About ‘Nepo Kids’?

Several names have repeatedly surfaced as symbols of elite privilege:

Shrinkhala Khatiwada – The 2018 Miss Nepal winner and daughter of former Health Minister Birodh Khatiwada has faced criticism for staying silent during the protests. Once boasting over a million Instagram followers, her count has dropped to around 902,000 as Nepalis accuse her of being out of touch.

Shivana Shrestha – A well-known singer and daughter-in-law of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, she frequently posts videos of luxurious homes and high-end fashion, making her a target of online backlash.

Smita Dahal – The granddaughter of ex-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda,” she has drawn criticism for showcasing handbags worth lakhs of rupees amid widespread youth unemployment.

Saugat Thapa – Son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, his images of an extravagant lifestyle have spread widely as anger toward political families grows.

Why Gen Z Is Refusing to Stay Silent

According to Raqib Naik, executive director of the Center for the Study of Organized Hate in Washington, the sharp contrast between elite privilege and everyday struggle “struck a deep chord with Gen Z and quickly became a central narrative driving the movement.”

The protests are also fueled by decades of unaddressed corruption scandals. Transparency International consistently ranks Nepal among Asia’s most corrupt nations, with cases of collusion between politicians and bureaucrats rarely leading to prosecutions.

When the government briefly banned social media, it only deepened mistrust among the youth, who saw it as an attempt to stifle their voices rather than address inequality.

The Bigger Picture

The unrest in Nepal is not just about handbags, holidays, or hashtags. It is about a generation demanding fairness, accountability, and an end to systemic privilege. The “nepo kids” became the face of this anger not because of who they are individually, but because their lifestyles symbolize everything young Nepalis feel has been denied to them: opportunity, justice, and hope.