Bangladesh shows Nepal the way: Oli follows Hasina's path

The mass uprising of students and the public in Bangladesh has become a teaching example for Nepal. On August 5, 2024, last year, the dictator Sheikh Hasina fled the country in the face of a mass uprising. Just a year later, on September 9, 2025, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli faced a similar situation. The protest that started with the decision to ban social media eventually turned into a mass movement against corruption and nepotism, which ousted her from power.

Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee to India under the pressure of the mass movement. According to the NDTV report, the Nepalese Prime Minister also has plans to leave the country. Like in Bangladesh, ignoring public demands has become the main reason for the fall of leaders.

In Bangladesh, the Awami League, which once led a historic mass uprising, ultimately lost power in the face of the movement. A similar scenario has been seen in Nepal. The Communist Party (Unified Marxist-Leninist), which played a role in the overthrow of the monarchy, has been forced to step down from power today due to public anger.

In both countries, the movement was led by the young generation. In Bangladesh, the movement demanding quota reform did not stop despite repression and loss of life. Similarly, in Nepal, the ‘Gen G’ generation protested against the ban on social media and created a popular uprising against corruption and nepotism.

The centerpiece of the movement in Bangladesh was the discriminatory freedom fighter quota. On the other hand, in Nepal, corruption, ‘Nepo Kids’ and the luxurious lifestyle of political families fueled the movement. In both countries, young people took to the streets to demand fair opportunities and rights.

The governments took a tough stance to suppress the movement. About 1,500 protesters were killed in Bangladesh and at least 19 people lost their lives in Nepal. But these violence failed to stop the movement; on the contrary, the movement grew stronger. Ultimately, both Sheikh Hasina and KP Sharma Oli were forced to relinquish power under public pressure.