Fwd: From Discord to Disruption: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution

[Sujen Man Maharjan]

https://nepsychnet.substack.com/p/from-discord-to-disruption-nepals

	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more From Discord to Disruption: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution Special Newsletter Issue | September 2025 Nepalese Psychology Network and Sujen Man Maharjan Sep 17   READ IN APP   🕯️ Commemoration Today government has been declared a national mourning day, in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the hope of a better future for the country. Thanks for reading Nepali Psychology Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support On 8 September, 19 citizens lost their lives when police used brutal force against peaceful protestors. The country was in shock and spent a sleepless night. 9 September, despite curfews, Gen Z—joined by citizens of all ages—flooded the streets demanding accountability and resignation of PM. By afternoon, chaos escalated with looting, vandalisation and arson, and finally the army was deployed at night to restore peace and order. The day marked a turning point in Nepal’s democratic journey. It felt like the government had committed a political suicide just before a day marking World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September. 📅 The Five-Day of unrest and resolution The youthful frustration transformed into a force that dismantled an authoritarian alliance of Democrats and Communists. The timeline of Nepal’s latest revolution. 📵 Social Media Ban & The Fight Against Corruption and Nepotism Even with bans on social platforms, protestors refused to back down. Gen Z declared open battle against corruption, nepotism, and waged a cyberwar against the “nepokids” culture on TikTok and other platforms using VPN, demanding dignity and equality in a broken system. ⚠️ Aftermath: Death, Destruction & Targeted Anger Deaths and injuries mounted beyond the black day. Attacks on property targeted politicians’ homes and government offices. Loot and arson spread—psychologists noted classic patterns of mob behavior at play. 🌐 The Fog of Misinformation Misinformation and conspiracy theories flooded social media feeds, fueling panic. Clickbait content creators exploited the chaos. But fact-checkers stepped in: NepalFactCheck.org has been working to verify stories and rebuild trust. 📝 Reflective Voices: Raj Karki In his essay “Factors Undermining Democratic Values” (Sept 11, 2025), researcher Raj Karki identifies three principles weakening democracy and two systemic issues undermining progress. Raj Karki, a psychologist and sociologist, bridges personal growth and civic responsibility. 👉 Read his essay here Rita Gurung From Panic to Purpose: A Call for Rational Response During the height of uncertainty and unrest, Rita Gurung reminded everyone not to panic but to focus on rebuilding with knowledge and education. She urged Nepalis to break the cycle of ignorance, discuss openly, accept mistakes, and learn together. Her call was simple yet powerful: let’s be accountable, stay hopeful, and contribute in whatever way we can to build a stronger, more responsible Nepal. Read the full post in Nepali. 💬 Navigating Emotions During Crisis Psychologists emphasize: it is normal to feel fear, sadness, anger, or even hope during upheaval. These emotions are not pathology—they are human. Many mental health professionals called upon helpers to refrain from pathologizing, as sadness and negative emotions are normal and necessary during such turmoil. For those grieving the loss of lives or homes, the burden is heavier. For others, acknowledging these emotions and seeking help when needed is the first step toward resilience. 🤝 Healing a National Tragedy Collective healing is part of human survival. Rituals, conversations, and mutual care are ways we stitch our communities back together. What Dr. Kohrt wrote in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic seems like a relevant reading at this time. 👉 Read more about communal healing 🎭 Creativity Amidst Chaos: Meme Culture Even in crisis, humor thrived. Gen Z’s meme culture lightened the atmosphere, reducing tension and creating moments of solidarity. Laughter did not erase the pain—but it reminded us that resilience can wear many faces. Photo by Tim van Kempen on Unsplash Right now, Nepal stands at a crossroads. True reform demands visionary leadership—bold enough to change broken systems, yet sensitive to the fears that such change brings. Fear is natural in times of uncertainty, but when leaders build trust through transparency, inclusion, and tangible results, that fear can be transformed into collective energy for a stronger democracy. The worst-case scenario is the dictator and authoritarian leader emerging out of this crisis, which could undermine democracy and people's rights. Sujen wrote this in his blog almost a decade upon reflecting upon the work of psychologist Fathali Moghaddam. ✨ This special issue is dedicated to all who marched, mourned, and made history. Nepal has crossed a threshold. The road ahead is uncertain, but one truth stands: a generation has spoken, and the country will never be the same again. We citizens cannot keep on running a political treadmill with many revolutions without significant systemic changes. Let’s hope this will bring some meaningful changes in the way leaders and bureaucrats act and behave with fellow Nepalis. Thanks for reading Nepali Psychology Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support Nepali Psychology Newsletter is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Nepali Psychology Newsletter that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments.   Share     Like Comment Restack   © 2025 NEPsychNet Kathmandu-23, Nepal Unsubscribe

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With Best Regards,

Sujen Man Maharjan