Social Media Erupts: youth activists launch #ArrestKPOli, #ArrestRameshLekhak campaign after GenZ crackdown

KATHMANDU: In a fresh wave of digital activism following the controversial suppression of the “GenZ Movement,” youth leader Sudhan Gurung has launched a powerful social media campaign demanding the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

The campaign, which went viral across Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, uses hashtags such as #ArrestKPOli, #ArrestRameshLekhak, #ArrestPrithiviSubbaGurung and #ArrestMurderers, accusing the former leaders of ordering violent crackdowns during the youth-led protests held last month. The campaign has reignited debate over state accountability, political impunity, and police brutality in Nepal.

Gurung, who also coordinates the youth organization “Hami Nepal”, shared posters featuring photos of Oli and Lekhak with the caption: “Arrest KP Sharma Oli, Ramesh Lekhak Murderers.” The post ends with a stark warning — “Arrest the murderers, or the nation will be forced to take action itself.”

Within hours, the campaign gained momentum, with thousands of social media users reposting and expressing solidarity with Gurung’s call for justice. Prominent youth activists, influencers, and student groups aligned with the GenZ Movement also began sharing the same hashtags, turning the issue into one of the most discussed online topics in Nepal this week.

Background: The GenZ Movement and State Crackdown

The GenZ Movement, which began as a peaceful youth-led campaign against corruption, unemployment, and political stagnation, turned violent on September 8 and 9 (Bhadra 23–24) when clashes erupted between protesters and police in several parts of Kathmandu Valley. The protests, largely organized by young citizens dissatisfied with Nepal’s political leadership, quickly spread across multiple cities.

The government, led by then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, faced severe criticism for using excessive force to quell demonstrations. Eyewitnesses and rights groups alleged that the police used tear gas, batons, and even live bullets in some areas, resulting in multiple injuries and at least 73 confirmed deaths.

Following the incident, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and online communities demanded a high-level investigation into the deaths and human rights violations during the crackdown. Meanwhile, the new interim government led by Sushila Karki has formed a high-level commission to investigate the incident and address the allegations related to the GenZ protest crackdown.

Social Media as a Tool for Accountability

Activists say Gurung’s campaign represents a new form of digital resistance, reflecting how Nepal’s younger generation is increasingly turning to social media to demand transparency and justice from political elites. The use of English-language hashtags like #ArrestKPOli and #ArrestRameshLekhak also indicates a deliberate effort to attract international attention and amplify Nepal’s internal political crisis on global digital platforms.

Observers note that Gurung’s call echoes earlier movements where social media played a critical role in mobilizing support, such as during Balendra Shah’s (Balen) online activism following the GenZ protests. Balen, the Mayor of Kathmandu, had also shared similar hashtags (#kpoliisterriorist) denouncing state violence and urging justice for the victims.

Political analysts suggest that this latest campaign could intensify political polarization in the run-up to Nepal’s next general election, as the public mood continues to turn against traditional political parties accused of corruption, poor governance, and suppression of dissent.

Government Silence Amid Rising Public Outrage

As of now, neither Oli nor Lekhak has issued a formal response to the allegations. Leaders from both the CPN-UML and Nepali Congress have refrained from commenting publicly on the social media storm, while government sources said that law enforcement agencies are monitoring online activities to prevent misinformation and incitement to violence.

Meanwhile, Gurung and his supporters maintain that their campaign is part of a peaceful civic movement to ensure justice for victims of the GenZ crackdown. The movement has gained widespread traction under hashtags like #JusticeForGenZ, #NepalProtests, and #EndPoliceViolence, with users posting videos, testimonies, and artworks remembering those injured or killed during the demonstrations.

Experts argue that the episode highlights Nepal’s growing digital political activism, where social media platforms have evolved into spaces of resistance, justice-seeking, and mobilization. As the debate continues, the demand to hold former leaders accountable for alleged state violence has become not only a political issue but also a test of Nepal’s democratic integrity and rule of law.