Sudan Gurung, one of Nepal’s most prominent Gen Z political voices, broke down in tears while addressing the press in Kathmandu following the deadly unrest, on Thursday.
A video has emerged on social media that shows the Gen Z leader crying in the middle of press briefing. Midway through his statement, his voice cracked and he became visibly emotional.
In the past few days, Nepal witnessed violent protests following a now-lifted ban on 26 social media platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Gurung (38) was one of the leading faces of the protest. The Gen Z leader heads Hami Nepal, a youth-led NGO that has brought people together from all over the country.
Gurung mobilised thousands of students, instructing them to wear school uniforms and carry books during demonstrations, turning the rallies into a peaceful yet symbolic protest against government restrictions.
Before the social media blackout, his organisation used online platforms to circulate protest routes and safety instructions.
A former event organiser-turned-activist, Gurung became deeply involved in civic work after losing his child during the 2015 earthquake, an experience that reshaped his life and inspired him to work on disaster relief and youth engagement.
Over the years, he has led several campaigns demanding transparency and accountability, positioning himself as a leader who channels Gen Z’s frustrations into organised, non-violent action.
Further, the death toll from Nepal’s deadly protests has climbed to 34, a government agency said on Thursday.
