Nepal has just witnessed one of the largest citizens’ uprisings in its history. The massive movement, driven mainly by the country’s Gen Z population, forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ramchandra Paudel to resign, leaving the Himalayan nation in political uncertainty. At the heart of this youth-led revolt, two individuals have emerged as the most influential figures.

The first is Kathmandu’s mayor, Balen Shah, who has been portrayed by the protesters as a potential interim Prime Minister. The second is Sudan Gurung, founder of the NGO Hami Nepal, who played a decisive role in organizing and mobilizing the demonstrations.

Both men have become symbols of the movement—Shah as the vocal agitator inspiring masses, and Gurung as the ground-level organizer who brought together Nepal’s restless young generation. But this raises a crucial question: who really are Balen Shah and Sudan Gurung, and how did they come to lead a revolt powerful enough to dismantle a government?

Balen Shah’s role in the Gen Z protests

Balen Shah, a well-known rapper turned politician, currently serves as the Mayor of Kathmandu. He has been accused by critics of manipulating young Nepalis and steering their anger against the state. His huge popularity on social media has cemented his influence, with thousands of young people openly calling him their next Prime Minister.

The turning point came on Sunday, September 7, 2025, when Shah used Facebook to openly back the Gen Z protests. In his post, he wrote:
“Tomorrow is clearly a spontaneous gathering of GenZ. They are all under 28, which makes me look older. I want to understand their willpower, purpose, and thinking.”

He also issued a strong warning against political interference in the rally:
“No political party, leader, activist, MP, engineer, or opportunist should try to exploit tomorrow’s rally for personal gain. I cannot attend because of the age restriction, but I fully support them. Dear GenZ, tell me—what kind of country do you want to see?”

By the very next day, Monday, September 8, young people aged between 13 and 28 poured into the streets of Kathmandu and at least seven other major cities. What started as a protest against a ban on social media platforms quickly escalated into widespread anger demanding Prime Minister KP Oli’s resignation. The demonstrations soon turned violent, resulting in 19 deaths and more than 300 injuries.

On Tuesday, September 9, the pressure became unbearable. Both Prime Minister Oli and President Ramchandra Paudel stepped down. This sudden political collapse created a power vacuum, and almost instantly, Shah’s supporters flooded his Facebook page with comments like, “We want you as PM” and “Please take lead, Balen.” Local media also picked up on these sentiments, amplifying calls for his leadership.

However, Shah later appealed to the youth not to let the protests spiral out of control. He posted another message urging calm:
“Please GenZ, the country is in your hands. You can handle it. No matter what happens, you will remain ours. Now go home.”

Balen Shah’s U.S. connections

Unlike many municipal leaders, Shah’s profile extends beyond Nepal’s borders. His name has appeared internationally in prominent publications. He was featured in Time Magazine’s Top 100 (2023) and profiled by The New York Times for his growing influence.

He has also maintained a notable connection with the United States. Shah met U.S. Ambassador R. Thompson in 2022, and again in 2024, when he was reportedly invited to visit the United States. These engagements have fueled discussions about his international reach and political positioning in Nepal’s shifting geopolitical environment.

Balen Shah’s anti-government rap songs

Before his entry into politics, Shah was famous as a rapper. His lyrics often carried sharp political criticism, particularly targeting KP Oli’s government. One of his most striking lines declared:
“Those who protect the country are fools. All leaders are thieves, looting the nation.”

Songs such as Balidan (“Sacrifice”) became rallying cries for young people frustrated with corruption and mismanagement. During the Gen Z protests, Shah revived his earlier message by reposting the song on Facebook with the caption:
“Let the government allow me to speak.”

His confrontational style also spilled into Nepal’s cultural space. In 2023, he gained attention for his opposition to the Indian film Adipurush. He even went as far as banning all Indian films in Kathmandu’s cinemas, until Nepal’s Supreme Court struck down his decision.

Sudan Gurung and Hami Nepal

The second major figure in the uprising is 36-year-old Sudan Gurung, the founder of Hami Nepal. Gurung is widely credited as the organizer who gave the protests structure. His strategy relied heavily on digital platforms. On Instagram, he posted “How to Protest” videos, where he emphasized “peaceful” resistance, while also hinting that aggression could be used if necessary.

Placards carried by protesters prominently featured Hami Nepal’s branding. Behind the scenes, the NGO used Discord groups to coordinate logistics—circulating protest instructions, encouraging students to join in their school uniforms, and even distributing guides on making petrol bombs.

Leaked online chats showed even more troubling details: activists were urged to flood international media with images of violence and frame the movement as a fight for democracy. Some discussions even pointed toward using Bangladesh’s regime change model as an example for Nepal.

Founded in 2020, Hami Nepal was initially popular for its disaster relief efforts during floods. But its transformation into a group capable of shaking Nepal’s political foundations has raised alarming questions about its role and intentions.

Foreign funding of Hami Nepal

Adding to the controversy are revelations about Hami Nepal’s financial sources. The NGO has publicly acknowledged receiving 200 million Nepali rupees in funding from multinational brands like Coca-Cola, Viber, Goldstar, and Mulberry Hotels—all foreign-linked entities.

Earlier in 2025, the organization also played a role in stoking anti-India sentiment. It highlighted the death of a Nepali student studying at an engineering college in Odisha, India, framing the incident in ways that intensified nationalist anger.

The dangerous Shah–Gurung alliance

Together, Balen Shah and Sudan Gurung have emerged as the key drivers of Nepal’s most volatile uprising in decades. For critics, their partnership is not only anti-India but also dangerous for Nepal’s internal stability.

Gurung, with his NGO’s foreign funding, is accused of undermining Nepal’s democratic order. Shah, with his outspoken personality and apparent Western connections, is increasingly being pushed forward as the possible interim Prime Minister.

Observers have drawn parallels with Bangladesh, where Western powers allegedly helped remove Sheikh Hasina and install Muhammad Yunus as caretaker Prime Minister by fueling youth-driven protests. Nepal now appears to be treading down a similar path—with Western funding flowing into NGOs and unrest being channeled into regime change.

Where the Shah–Gurung partnership will ultimately lead Nepal remains uncertain. But the global community is watching closely. With the country strategically positioned between India and China, any political shift in Kathmandu could have serious consequences not only for Nepal but for the wider South Asian region.