Who is Sudan Gurung? The Face Behind Nepal’s Gen Z Protest

Nepal has been shaken by one of its most violent youth movements in years. The government banned 26 social media platforms on September 4, 2025, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X. The decision sparked massive protests across the country. At least 19 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured.

The unrest forced Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to resign. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said the ban was meant to regulate social media, not to silence people. But the pressure from the streets grew too strong. Later that day, the Cabinet reversed the ban. Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung announced that access would be restored.

Sudan Gurung: Leading the Youth

At the center of these protests stands Sudan Gurung, a 36-year-old activist. He is the president of Hami Nepal, a youth-led NGO. Many see him as the new voice of Nepal’s Gen Z generation.

Gurung’s journey into activism is deeply personal. In 2015, he lost his child during the devastating earthquake. That tragedy changed his life forever. He left his work as an event organiser and turned to social work. He focused on disaster relief and mobilising young people for change.

Over the years, Sudan Gurung has organised several campaigns. One of the most famous was the “Ghopa Camp” protest at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan. His efforts always stressed transparency and accountability from leaders.

A Symbol of Peaceful Resistance

Even during this week’s violent clashes, Gurung tried to keep the movement peaceful. On Instagram, before the blackout, he urged students to wear school uniforms and carry books during rallies. His aim was to show that the protests were about rights, not riots.

Hami Nepal used social media to share safety rules, protest routes, and medical tips. This digital activism helped students feel organised and united. It also showed how Gen Z relies on technology to challenge authority.

Fresh Protests and Rising Anger

On Tuesday, new protests broke out in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and other regions. Students gathered at Kalanki, Baneshwor, and Chapagaun-Thecho, chanting slogans against the Prime Minister.

Protesters shouted, “Don’t kill students,” and called Oli a thief. They demanded that corrupt leaders be punished. Anger spilled over into violence. Stones were thrown at Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung’s residence in Sunakothi. Demonstrators also vandalised the home of former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in Khumaltar. They gathered in front of former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba’s house in Budhanilkantha as well.

Government Retreats

By late evening, the government gave in. Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung said the Cabinet had held an emergency meeting. It decided to withdraw the ban and restore access to all social media platforms.

The decision was seen as a victory for the youth. It also showed the power of digital-age protests. For many, Sudan Gurung has now become the face of Nepal’s Gen Z resistance. His leadership is praised for turning grief into activism, and frustration into organised pressure.

Sudan Gurung is not just an activist. He represents a generation that refuses to be silenced. From losing his child in 2015 to leading one of Nepal’s biggest youth movements, his story is both painful and powerful. Whether peaceful or angry, the voice of Nepal’s Gen Z is now impossible to ignore.