‘Why not in India?’: KTR warns of Nepal-style Gen Z protests if governments fail youth aspirations

If governments fail to deliver, he warns, India may not be immune to the kind of youth-driven upheaval that Nepal just witnessed.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao has warned that a Nepal-like youth uprising could unfold in India if governments fail to deliver on the aspirations of the country’s young.

Speaking at the NDTV Yuva Conclave on Saturday, the former Telangana minister drew parallels to the recent protests in Nepal that began with Gen Z anger over internet restrictions and spiralled into a movement that toppled the government.

“What happened in Nepal recently was nothing but suppression of democracy and suppression of the voice of Gen Z,” KTR said. “Initially, even the media mocked when Gen Z was protesting… they said they were protesting internet disruptions. But they were protesting for their future.”

When asked if similar protests could erupt in India, he replied bluntly: “If governments continue to fail them, if governments continue to fail the aspirations of the people of India, why not? Yes.”

Youth and politics: 'The night is still young'

The question was also posed to the young audience at the conclave, most of whom said “no.” But KTR wasn’t convinced. Smiling, he remarked: “The night is still young, let’s see.”

Addressing a session titled “Yuva and the Art of Reinvention”, the BRS leader said Gen Z embodies qualities that make them uniquely disruptive: “Restless, young, ambitious, bold. You are truly the DIY generation, disruptive, imaginative and absolutely youthful.”

He even described Telangana as a 'Gen Z state,' young, restless, and bold.

Gen Z activism in action

KTR pointed to an example from Hyderabad, where university students rallied against the state government’s plan to sell 400 acres of forest land. Social media activism by young people forced accountability, and eventually the Supreme Court intervened. “Gen Z’s activism saved 400 acres of land in Hyderabad,” he said.

But he added that social media alone won’t be enough. “India doesn’t have the luxury of leapfrogging, it needs to pole vault,” he said, arguing that the country requires not just venture capital but “adventure capital” and an openness to next practices, not just best practices.

Social media, unfiltered feedback, and political change

KTR said social media has changed the feedback loop for politicians. “Today, leaders are getting unfiltered feedback directly from people. Politics in India will change a lot in the next 10 years because of this,” he noted.

Reflecting on BRS’ loss in Telangana

On his own party’s defeat in the 2023 Telangana assembly elections after a decade in power, KTR admitted that the BRS failed to connect with youth expectations.

“We did not publicise well and, on the other hand, the Congress promised the moon. People bought into it and we lost by a whisker,” he said.