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A former DJ and an obscure non-profit from Nepal leveraged a popular gaming social media platform to organize large-scale protests, ultimately shaping the country’s new temporary leadership. Sudan Gurung, 36, who founded Hami Nepal (which translates to “We are Nepal”), utilized Discord and Instagram to rally substantial demonstrations that compelled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down during Nepal’s most severe political upheaval in many decades, according to demonstrations participants.
The activist group accessed restricted platforms through VPNs to issue calls that reached tens of thousands of young Nepalese citizens. Efforts by Oli’s representatives for comment went unanswered.
“I joined a Discord group with around 400 members. They asked us to participate in a protest march a few kilometers from Parliament,” explained 18-year-old student Karan Kulung Rai, who was not involved in the group but heard about the march.
Hami Nepal’s early social media activity proved to be influential enough to be mentioned on national television. During escalation and violence at protests, the group also flagged false information and circulated hospital contact numbers for assistance. Members who requested anonymity for security reasons shared that Gurung and his leadership team have since become central figures in significant political decisions, including selecting the new interim administration, which is scheduled to hold elections on March 5.
The group has reportedly secured the cooperation of Nepal’s president and army chief to appoint Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice known for her firm stance against corruption, as the nation’s first female interim prime minister. Gurung declared at his first post-protest press conference: “My goal is to ensure power rests with the people and to bring corrupt politicians to justice.”
On Sunday, Gurung and his team participated in meetings to determine the cabinet lineup, suggesting the removal of some appointees from the previous government. A Hami Nepal member noted, “Discussions are ongoing between Karki and our team, and we expect to finalize the cabinet soon.” Gurung and Karki did not respond immediately to phone inquiries.
The group emphasized on Instagram that they aim to ensure the new government comprises skilled and capable youth.
The protests that erupted last Monday, mainly led by people in their twenties identified with Generation Z, turned violent within hours and swiftly toppled the government. Following a ban on multiple social media platforms—a ban later reversed—protesters clashed with authorities, resulting in a death toll of at least 72 and over 1,300 injuries.
Gurung, who is older than typical Gen Z age, and his team have stated they do not seek political office but want to influence future governance decisions.
“Sudan Gurung isn’t interested in becoming a politician. He was merely helping the ‘Gen Z’ group, and we see ourselves as the voices of the nation, not leaders,” said 26-year-old volunteer Ronesh Pradhan.
Gurung’s background includes organizing disaster relief during Nepal’s devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed over 9,000 lives, and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among those managing Hami Nepal’s social media presence are 24-year-old café owner Ojaswi Raj Thapa and law graduate Rehan Raj Dangal. Thapa, who emerged as a prominent protest leader, told Reuters that ensuring judiciary independence is a key priority once the interim government is established.
“We might need some constitutional amendments, but we don’t want to dissolve the constitution,” Thapa added.
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