September 14, 2025

Nepal saw shocking chaos this week when a plan to ban social media turned into violent protests. The prime minister was ousted, the parliament building went up in flames, and soldiers lined the streets of Kathmandu. But here’s the twist — the technology the government tried to block became the very tool for picking the country’s next leader! With the government collapsing on Tuesday, the military imposed a strict curfew in Kathmandu and banned big gatherings. The country was stuck in political uncertainty. Yet, instead of giving up, Nepal's young people took a bold step online. They flocked to Discord, a popular chat platform usually loved by gamers, to hold virtual meetings like a real national convention. “Parliament of Nepal now is Discord,” said Sid Ghimiri, 23, a content creator from Kathmandu. His words show how this digital space turned into the centre of national decision-making. Inside this virtual room, young activists used voice, video, and text chats to debate the country's future. It wasn’t just a casual hangout — the discussion was so important that national TV and news sites broadcast it live! The group behind this digital parliament is Hami Nepal, a civic organization, and many participants were the Gen-Z activists who had led the recent protests. In fact, even the army chiefs recognized the power of this group. They met with the Discord organizers and asked them to suggest a candidate for the interim leader. After a day full of serious talks and polls, the virtual parliament agreed on one name — Sushila Karki. They proposed her for the next step: real-life talks with the army. It was a fascinating moment when digital activism proved it could shape Nepal’s political future. From fire and protest to virtual votes, Nepal showed the world how technology like Discord can empower youth voices in politics.

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Tags: Nepal social media ban, Discord politics, Nepal protests, Gen z activism, Prime minister ousted, Digital democracy,