Big Take Asia The Gen Z Protestors Challenging Asia’s Ruling Elite
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Sep 16, 2025 In this episode, Karishma Vaswani, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist based in Singapore, delves into the explosive rise of Gen Z protests across South Asia. She discusses the frustration over youth unemployment, social media restrictions, and corruption that fuels these uprisings in Nepal and Indonesia. Vaswani highlights the disconnection between young citizens and their governments, drawing parallels to movements like the Arab Spring. She offers insights into what it will take for lasting political change and the quest for greater representation and agency among Asian youth.
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Social Media Ban Sparked Wider Uprising
- Gen Z-led protests in Nepal began after a social media ban but quickly became wider anti-government movements.
- The unrest forced the prime minister to resign and led to parliament being dissolved.
Screens Magnify Elite Inequality
- Viral videos of elites flaunting wealth heightened resentment among Nepali youth already facing high unemployment.
- Visible inequality on social media amplified distrust toward governance and fueled mass protests.
Allowance Hike And A Fatal Crash
- Indonesian protests flared after lawmakers awarded themselves housing allowances nearly ten times the minimum wage.
- Outrage grew when a delivery driver was killed by an armored police car, triggering violent clashes and looting.