Big Take The Gen Z Protestors Challenging Asia’s Ruling Elite
Sep 16, 2025
Karishma Vaswani, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist based in Singapore, dives into the surge of Gen Z protests in South Asia. She discusses how these movements, sparked by issues like corruption and unemployment, are challenging the ruling elite. The violent aftermath in countries like Nepal and Indonesia raises concerns about authoritarian backlash. Vaswani emphasizes the need for youth influence in governance to drive lasting political change, highlighting the disconnect between young generations and political powers.
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Nepal's Gen Z Uprising
- Tens of thousands of mainly teenage and young adult protesters in Nepal flooded streets after a social media ban and viral videos of elites' lavish lifestyles.
- The unrest forced the prime minister to resign, led to troop deployments, and dissolved parliament pending elections next March.
Indonesia's Trigger And Escalation
- Indonesian students and gig-economy workers clashed with police after lawmakers awarded themselves huge housing allowances and a delivery driver was killed.
- Looting and violent confrontations followed, with protesters targeting lawmakers' homes and public buildings.
Social Media Magnifies Inequality
- Social media amplifies inequality by exposing young people to elites' lavish lives while they face precarious work and high unemployment.
- That digital visibility deepens resentment and helps coordinate mass protests across cities and countries.