Jakarta, Protests in Nepal are heating up. Thousands of protesters took to the streets and set fire to the parliament building in the capital, Kathmandu, just hours after Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation.
The unrest was sparked by the government’s decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The stated reason was to prevent hoaxes, hate speech, and online fraud.
However, the policy sparked public outrage, particularly among the younger generation who rely on social media for entertainment, news, and even a livelihood. Although the ban was hastily lifted on Monday night, the protests had already escalated.
What initially protested digital restrictions has evolved into an anti-corruption movement targeting Nepal’s political elite. This phenomenon in Nepal has attracted attention in the country.
Democratic Party politician Andi Arief warned Indonesia’s younger generation not to imitate the brutal actions that occurred in Kathmandu.
“Indonesian Gen Z kids shouldn’t imitate the anarchic and brutal movements in Nepal. Instead, imitate the 212 protests, which involved millions of people and were peaceful. Especially if they’re just demanding 17+8,” he said via his account, X.
He also stressed that the Nepal unrest cannot be considered a revolution.
“In 1917, Lenin didn’t destroy or burn the DPR (Duma). He simply opposed and replaced it with the Soviet power structure. His revolution involved no burnings. This contrasts with today’s digital anarchy resulting from surrendering propaganda to leaderless viralism,” he wrote on his account X.
According to Andi, the explosion of anger from Nepal’s Gen Z actually led to martial law, not a takeover of power.
In comparison, Indonesia also experienced a wave of demonstrations from August 25 to September 1, 2025, which gave rise to the aspirations known as the 17+8 People’s Demands. However, the national situation remained stable.
The Head of the Development Control and Special Investigation Agency (Bappisus), Aries Marsudiyanto, emphasized that the situation in Indonesia is safe following the demonstrations.
“Everything is in good condition and is being handled well. Let’s work together; the media must also promote a sense of unity and oneness in this nation,” said Aries.
According to Aries, every problem can only be solved through communication, not violence.
“Wars ultimately end at the negotiating table. No war ever ends with bombs; everything ends through coordination, collaboration, and communication,” he concluded.
