Posts showing these lavish lifestyles went viral on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X. Hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies attracted millions of views.
Nepal has been rocked by massive protests over the past week. Public anger over government inefficiency quickly grew into a nationwide movement. The protests, led mostly by Gen Z, forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Police actions against demonstrators killed at least 31 people and injured more than 1,000.
Government buildings, homes of senior politicians, and even hotels in tourist areas were set on fire. The Nepalese Parliament itself was left in flames. Today, Nepal has no functioning government. The army has stepped in to enforce curfews and negotiate with protesters.
At the heart of the unrest is frustration over wealth and privilege. While many Nepalese struggle with unemployment, rising inflation, and poverty, children of politicians — called “nepo kids” — flaunt luxury cars, designer goods, and international travel on social media.
Posts showing these lavish lifestyles went viral on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X. Hashtags like #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies attracted millions of views.
Across Kathmandu and beyond, protesters torched these families’ homes, saying, “the general public is dying in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs.”
Nepal consistently ranks among Asia’s most corrupt nations, according to Transparency International. A New York Times report revealed $71 million was embezzled during the construction of Pokhara International Airport.
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Politicians were also accused of selling refugee quotas meant for displaced Bhutanese-Nepalese. Despite these scandals, prosecutions remain rare, reinforcing the belief that politicians are above the law.
As the protests spread, 73-year-old PM KP Oli resigned after four terms. Other senior ministers also stepped down, leaving Nepal without leadership.
President Ramchandra Paudel, 80, urged calm. “I am consulting and making every effort to find a way out of the current difficult situation,” he said. He asked citizens to “practice restraint and cooperate to maintain peace.”
With no parliament or cabinet in place, the army has imposed curfews in Kathmandu and other cities. Soldiers patrol the streets while prohibitory orders remain in force in most areas.
