Key points
- Discord and Instagram mobilise youth
- Hami Nepal pushes political reforms
- First female interim PM appointed
KATHMANDU, Nepal: A former DJ and his little-known Nepali non-profit have become unexpected power brokers in Nepal’s political upheaval, using social media platforms popular with gamers to spark mass protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Sudan Gurung, 36, founder of Hami Nepal (“We are Nepal”), mobilised thousands through Discord and Instagram, particularly after the government banned several social media apps. Protesters used VPNs to access these platforms, and their digital campaign quickly gained national attention. Early Discord messages from Hami Nepal were even cited on national television, according to Reuters.
“I was invited to join a group on Discord where there were about 400 members. It asked us to join the protest march a few kilometres from the parliament,” said 18-year-old student Karan Kulung Rai, who was not a core member.
Misinformation
The protests, led mainly by young people in their 20s, escalated rapidly and turned deadly, with at least 72 killed and over 1,300 injured. Despite this, the movement gained enough momentum to pressure the government to step down.
Hami Nepal identified misinformation, shared emergency contacts, and coordinated protest logistics. Though they operated under proxy names for safety, several members said Gurung and his team are now involved in selecting Nepal’s interim leadership ahead of elections set for 5 March, reports Reuters.
They successfully lobbied for former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, known for her anti-corruption stance, to be appointed as Nepal’s first female interim prime minister. “I will make sure that the power lies with the people and bring every corrupt politician to justice,” Gurung said in his first press conference since the protests.
Cabinet roles
On Sunday, Gurung and his team were involved in meetings to decide on cabinet roles and recommended removing officials appointed by the previous administration. “Meetings are ongoing between Karki and members of the group. We will finalise the cabinet soon,” said one member.
Hami Nepal stressed on Instagram that the new cabinet would be made up of “skilled and capable youth”.
Although Gurung is older than most protesters, he and his team have no desire to hold office. “We don’t want to be politicians,” said 26-year-old volunteer Ronesh Pradhan.
News agency Reuters said Gurung gained prominence during Nepal’s 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 crisis. Alongside him are 24-year-old café owner Ojaswi Raj Thapa and law graduate Rehan Raj Dangal. Thapa stressed the need for an independent judiciary and hinted at constitutional changes, without scrapping it.
