The Jacob Shapiro Podcast Youth Against Government
Sep 22, 2025
Prasansha Rimal, a law graduate and master's student in human rights from Kathmandu, shares her insights on Nepal's tumultuous political landscape. She recounts the youth-led protests ignited by frustrations over corruption and economic inequality, emphasizing how social media played a crucial role in rallying support. Prasansha discusses the complexities of Nepal's geopolitical position between India and China, while expressing hope for a more accountable and inclusive future in governance, driven by a new generation eager for change.
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Growing Up Through Insurgency
- Prasansha grew up amid the Maoist insurgency with curfews, burning tires, and school closures.
- She saw hope after the 2015 constitution but says insiders still run unstable, corrupt politics.
Youth-Led Protest Against Corruption
- The protests started as peaceful youth-led demands for transparency and accountability against entrenched corruption.
- Violence and the dramatic images were mostly the chaotic aftermath, not the protest's original character.
Social Media As Spark And Mirror
- The social media ban ignited protests by cutting off freedom of expression and revealing elite lifestyles.
- Social media amplified resentment by exposing politicians' children living lavishly while most Nepalis struggle.