In September 2025, Nepal witnessed a youth-led uprising that shocked the nation and brought about sweeping political change. At the heart of this movement stood Sudan Gurung, a civic leader who became the face of the “Gen-Z protests.”
From Disaster Relief to Civic Leadership- Sudan Gurung
Sudan Gurung, now 36 years old, first came into the public eye through his disaster relief efforts. After the devastating 2015 earthquake, he founded the non-governmental organization Hami Nepal. Driven by his personal experience of holding a dying child-“A child died in my arms. I’ll never forget that moment”. he mobilized volunteers to deliver aid, organize rescue missions, and raise awareness among the community.
Over time, Hami Nepal became known not just for its emergency response, but also for organizing protests and raising voices for change. They led a long seven-month protest in Dharan, highlighting transparency issues in health services. Gurung’s fundamental message was clear: “It’s time the new generation steps up and challenges the old ways”
Leader of the Gen-Z Protests
In early September 2025, the government imposed a controversial social media ban targeting unregistered platforms like Facebook. In response, Nepal’s youth frustrated by corruption, lack of opportunities, and a stifling of free expression rose up in massive street protests. Sudan Gurung, through Hami Nepal’s networks on Instagram, Discord, and other platforms, helped organize these protests. He articulated the movement’s goals with clarity and conviction, pushing for transparency, justice, and systemic reform. He became a symbol of youth-driven protest, capturing the frustrations of generations trapped by unemployment and political disillusionment.
The Revolution’s Impact
The uprising rapidly gained momentum. Protests turned deadly, with at least 19 people killed and hundreds injured in clashes with security forces. In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and several ministers resigned under pressure. Simultaneously, the government lifted the social media ban, a key demand of the protesters and agreed to form an investigation panel to examine the violence and its causes.
Through all this, Sudan Gurung stayed in the spotlight. He praised the protest movement’s success and acknowledged it as a collective effort of Nepal’s younger population demanding change.
A Generation’s New Hope
Sudan Gurung’s transformation from a club-scene event manager to a humanitarian activist and then to a political leader resonates deeply with Nepal’s youth. He represents a generation unwilling to accept stagnation. The “Nepo Kid” campaign, one of the movement’s slogans, targeted political nepotism and called for meritocracy and fairness. As protests began with a fight for freedom of expression, they ended up accelerating a political shake-up. Now, Gurung is seen not just as an activist, but as a significant voice in Nepal’s political and civic future.
Sudan Gurung’s role in the 2025 Nepal revolt is a powerful illustration of how a single passionate leader armed with empathy, digital savvy, and a vision for justice can spark a national transformation.