Published on: 14 September, 2025 21:02 IST
The violent protests in Nepal, which over the last two days have spiraled into widespread arson, vandalism, and deadly attacks on political leaders, appear to have found some admirers in India.
Nepal witnessed large-scale unrest between September 8 and 9, triggered after the government imposed a social media ban. Led by segments of ‘Gen Z’, the protests quickly descended into chaos. Protesters torched public and private properties, attacked government buildings- including Parliament and the Supreme Court set fire to politicians’ residences, and assaulted leaders. At least 22 people were killed and over 300 injured. Among the victims was the wife of former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, who succumbed to burn injuries after protesters set his house ablaze. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after his residence too was targeted. Order was restored only after the Nepalese Army intervened and curfews were imposed in several regions.
In India, Arpit Sharma- reportedly the son of Aam Aadmi Party leader Vikas Sharma- posted a video on X praising the Nepalese protesters. In his remarks, Sharma lauded the youth of Nepal for their “courage” in rising against corruption, though he expressed disappointment that Indian youth had not organised similar demonstrations.
Sharma suggested that Indian youth could use issues such as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “Vote Chori” campaign as rallying points for mass agitation. He went on to claim that 600 million young voters in India could unite to challenge the country’s political establishment.
Sharma’s father, Vikas Sharma, contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on an AAP ticket but lost. Meanwhile, critics have flagged Arpit Sharma’s statements as glorifying violent protests, drawing attention to how the crisis in Nepal has become a reference point in India’s often polarised political discourse.