Nepal’s Gen-Z Uprising: Viral ‘We Are Fire’ Speech Sparks Historic Protests
A passionate school speech declaring “We are fire” has gone viral across Nepal and beyond. Delivered months earlier by a student named Abiskar Raut, the clip resurfaced during September 2025 and quickly became the rallying cry of Nepal’s Gen-Z protests. What began as anger over a social media ban has now escalated into Nepal’s largest youth-led uprising in decades, drawing international attention and sparking fierce debate about democracy, technology, and generational change.
The Spark: How One Clip Lit a Movement
The original speech, given at a school function earlier in 2025, was emotional but not political. In it, young Abiskar Raut told his peers that Nepal’s youth were not weak or silent — they were “fire,” full of energy and ready to shape the future. For months, the video remained little more than a motivational school memory. But when protests against a sudden government ban on TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms erupted in early September, activists re-shared the clip with new captions. Within hours, it became a protest anthem.
From Social Media Ban to Street Protests
The government justified the ban as a way to combat misinformation and “foreign interference.” But for young Nepalis, it was an attack on freedom of speech and their digital lifeline. Students organized flash mobs, shared VPN guides, and created memes mocking the authorities. The viral speech clip became a rallying cry, chanted at rallies and printed on placards.
Clashes soon followed. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets outside parliament in Kathmandu. By September 9, at least 19 people had been killed and hundreds injured. Human rights groups accused security forces of excessive force. The government blamed “agitators,” but the protestors saw themselves as victims of authoritarian overreach.
Historical Context: Nepal’s Long Struggle for Democracy
To understand today’s Gen-Z protests, it helps to look back at Nepal’s political journey:
- 1990 Jana Andolan: Mass protests forced the monarchy to restore multiparty democracy.
- 2001–2006 Civil War: Maoist insurgency reshaped politics, with thousands killed.
- 2006 Jana Andolan II: Millions protested, leading to the end of absolute monarchy.
- 2008: Nepal declared itself a republic.
In each of these movements, youth played a key role. Today’s Gen-Z sees itself as heirs to that legacy — but armed with smartphones, hashtags, and memes instead of pamphlets and marches alone.
Social Media: The New Battlefield
Unlike past generations, Nepal’s Gen-Z lives online. TikTok trends, Instagram reels, and memes are their language. When the government cut off access, it not only silenced entertainment but also removed a platform for small businesses, influencers, and student activists.
Young people quickly adapted by using VPNs and encrypted apps. Hashtags like #WeAreFire and #NepalProtests trended regionally. Protesters even projected QR codes linking to VPN downloads on walls in Kathmandu. In many ways, the battle over platforms became as symbolic as the protests on the streets.
Eyewitness Accounts & Slogans
Our correspondents in Kathmandu collected multiple slogans and chants echoing through the streets:
- “Don’t ban our voices!”
- “Jobs, not bans!”
- “We are fire — and we will not be extinguished!”
Eyewitnesses described thousands of students marching with mobile flashlights lit, chanting in unison. Others reported police firing rubber bullets into crowds as protesters ducked behind makeshift shields painted with the words “FIRE.”
International Reactions
The protests quickly drew attention beyond Nepal’s borders:
- India: Expressed concern over instability but emphasized that protests were Nepal’s internal matter.
- China: Called for stability and warned against “foreign interference,” reflecting its interests in Nepal’s infrastructure projects.
- United Nations: Urged restraint, freedom of expression, and dialogue between youth and government.
- Amnesty International & Human Rights Watch: Condemned the deaths and called for accountability in cases of excessive force.
Regional Comparisons
Nepal’s protests are part of a wider wave of youth-led movements:
- Sri Lanka (2022): Youth-led protests toppled a president amid economic collapse.
- Pakistan: Student unions and digital activists have mobilized against bans and restrictions.
- Hong Kong (2019): Mass youth-led protests used memes, encrypted messaging, and flash rallies to challenge authority.
Nepal’s Gen-Z uprising may not be as large in scale, but it reflects the same frustration: a generation that refuses to stay silent in the face of economic and political stagnation.
Possible Outcomes
- Policy rollback: The government may lift or soften the social media ban to ease tensions.
- Political shake-up: Cabinet resignations or emergency elections could be triggered.
- Escalation: Continued protests and deaths could radicalize youth and deepen instability.
FAQ
- Q: Who is the student in the viral video?
- A: Identified as Abiskar Raut, head boy of Holy Bell English Secondary School, whose old school speech resurfaced during the protests.
- Q: Why did the speech go viral now?
- A: Because of the government’s social media ban and rising frustration among youth, the clip became a symbol of resistance.
- Q: How many people have died?
- A: Reports vary, but at least 19 deaths have been confirmed, with numbers possibly higher as clashes continue.
- Q: Has the government lifted the ban?
- A: As of September 10, 2025, the restrictions remain in place, though pressure is mounting for reversal.
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