The protests unfolding in Nepal echo those seen in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, creating a pattern across three South Asian nations where citizens have risen up against their governments. In 2022, Sri Lanka witnessed widespread unrest, followed by Bangladesh in 2024, and now Nepal in 2025. The Gen Z generation has been particularly active in these movements, resulting in the removal of leaders from their positions. These three South Asian countries also share a significant level of influence from China, raising questions about the underlying causes of this regional wave of discontent.
How did the protests begin in each country?
Sri Lanka: Anger over inflation and government policies
In April 2022, protests erupted against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to high inflation and economic hardship. The government responded by declaring a state of emergency, granting security forces the power to arrest and detain suspects. Within two days, nearly all Sri Lankan cabinet ministers resigned, leaving Rajapaksa and his brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, isolated. By July, the protests turned violent. On July 13, Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country for the Maldives.
Bangladesh: Anti-reservation movement turned violent
On August 5, 2024, an anti-reservation movement in Bangladesh, which had been ongoing for two months, spiraled out of control. Over 100 people died in a single day during the protests. Subsequently, around 400,000 people took to the streets of Dhaka. The crowds engaged in violence and vandalism, even entering the Prime Minister’s residence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and sought refuge in India.
Nepal: Accusations of corruption against the government
Gen Z youth called for nationwide protests on September 8, accusing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government of failing to deliver on its promise to eradicate corruption. The youth sought to confront the government over issues of unemployment, economic recession, and corruption. However, after arson at the parliament complex, police opened fire, triggering violence. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was forced to resign on September 9.
Who led the protests in each country?
Nepal: Gen Z
Gen Z, individuals born after 1995, are now between 18 and 30 years old. This generation grew up with the internet and technology. An organization called ‘Hami Nepal’ united the crowds. Sudhan Gurung, a 36-year-old, emerged as a prominent face of the protests.
Bangladesh: Students and ordinary citizens
The movement was led by Nahid Islam, a 26-year-old. Nahid, a student at Dhaka University, alleged that he was abducted on the morning of July 20. He was found unconscious near a bridge 24 hours later.
Sri Lanka: The general public struggling with inflation
The protests in Sri Lanka in 2022 were led by the general public. Student organizations also participated, raising their voices against corruption, inflation, and government policies. However, there was no single prominent leader. The public was frustrated with the government’s policies.
What were the reasons for the protests?
Nepal: Corruption and social media ban
Besides a ban on social media, the youth protested against unemployment, corruption, and economic recession. The youth alleged that the leaders’ children were enjoying the wealth gained through corruption while they were suffering from unemployment. The government banned 26 social media apps, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Reddit, and X, on September 4, which led to the call for protests.
Bangladesh: Controversy over job reservations
In 2018, Bangladesh had a 56% reservation in government jobs. There was a 30% reservation for the children of freedom fighters, 10% for backward districts, and 10% for women. 5% was reserved for minorities, and 1% for disabled students. Students protested against the reservation in 2018. The government then abolished the 56% reservation. On June 5, 2024, the High Court directed the government to provide reservations as before. In protest, students once again took to the streets. On August 5, 2024, protesters occupied Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence.
Sri Lanka: Economic recession and corruption
Anti-government protests against inflation and corruption took place on April 19, 2022, in which one protester died in police firing. On May 9, violence also occurred in Colombo, in which nine people were killed. On the same day, Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from the post of Prime Minister. On May 10, the Defense Ministry ordered the shooting of rioters. On June 27, the government said that there was a shortage of fuel in the country and stopped the sale of petrol, except for essential services. The Sri Lankan government announced on July 8, 2022, that the country had gone bankrupt. On July 9, thousands of Sri Lankans took to the streets. They surrounded the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo.
How did the governments handle the movements?
Nepal: Curfew and police firing
The police used water cannons, tear gas shells, and opened fire to disperse the crowd. The protests then turned violent, resulting in 21 deaths. Curfew was imposed in several cities, and the army was deployed in Kathmandu.
Bangladesh: Police firing, more than 1000 deaths
To suppress the protests, police in Bangladesh opened fire, which further angered the people. More than 1000 people were killed and more than 20,000 were injured in the violence during the protests.
Sri Lanka: State of emergency imposed
The Sri Lankan government also used the police and army to quell the protests, but this further angered the people. The government imposed a state of emergency. Orders were given to shoot rioters on sight. However, the protests did not stop. 10 people died in the violence.
What were the slogans of these protests?
In Nepal, the youth ran the Nepo Kid trend. Slogans like ‘KP Oli is a thief’ and ‘Oli resign’ were raised. In Bangladesh, slogans like ‘Justice for All’, ‘Hasina Go Back’, and ‘End Dictatorship’ were raised. In Sri Lanka, slogans like ‘Gota-Go-Gama’ – meaning, Gotabaya, go to your village – were raised.
Closer Ties with China in the Three Countries
Nepal:
In 2017, Nepal signed the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) agreement. Subsequently, Oli agreed to 10 new projects. China has invested in several infrastructure projects in Nepal, such as roads, airports, and hydropower plants. China is pursuing its strategic interests through this.
Bangladesh:
China has spent approximately $10 billion on BRI projects. From December 1, 2024, China eliminated import duties on Bangladeshi goods. China provided $1 billion for the economic development of Bangladesh and $400 million for the Mongla port. It also provided military equipment and technology.
Sri Lanka:
China has invested in projects such as Port City Colombo and the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. This has strengthened China’s hold in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka has taken a loan of approximately $7 billion (about ₹57,000 crore) from China, which is about 15% of its total external debt. Sri Lanka’s dependence on China has increased after the economic crisis.
India is now surrounded by countries that have signed BRI agreements with China. These include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Although the reasons for the movements in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal may have been different, there is one thing in common: the governments did not meet the expectations of the people and tried to suppress the movement until the end. The youth played the most important role in the movements. The top leaders in power in all three countries were forced to step down.
