Nepal's ‘Nepo Babies’ Under Fire As Social Media Turns On Faces Of Privilege: Who Are They?

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 21:33 IST

Gen Z-led protests in Nepal erupted over nepo babies flaunting wealth as outrage targeted Shrinkhala Khatiwada, Shivana Shrestha and Smita Dahal.

Protesters said that while the general public is dying in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs.

Nepal’s “nepo babies"- the children of political elites flaunting wealth online- have become the prime targets of nationwide anger as Gen Z-led protests exploded into a mass movement that forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. What began as demonstrations against government inefficiency quickly spiralled into a countrywide revolt. Over the past week, protesters torched government offices, private residences of leaders and even hotels in tourist hubs. The Parliament itself was set on fire.

Why The Anger Targets Nepo Babies? 

At the heart of the unrest lies a generational resentment: young Nepalis are struggling with joblessness, rising inflation and poverty, while the privileged children of politicians flaunt luxury lifestyles on TikTok, Instagram and X. Hashtags such as #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal and #NepoBabies have drawn millions of views, becoming rallying points for a movement that sees elites living in excess while ordinary citizens endure blackouts, floods and soaring food prices.

Who Are The Faces Of Privilege In Nepal?

The political heirs who have become lightning rods for outrage include Shrinkhala Khatiwada, 29, daughter of former health minister Birodh Khatiwada, whose family home was torched after her luxury travels went viral; singer Shivana Shrestha, daughter-in-law of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, accused alongside her husband of flaunting wealth “worth crores"; Smita Dahal, granddaughter of Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda," criticised for displaying handbags worth lakhs; and Saugat Thapa, son of Law Minister Bindu Kumar Thapa, cast online as a symbol of extravagance. Protesters said that while the general public is dying in poverty, these nepo kids wear clothes worth lakhs.

News world Nepal's ‘Nepo Babies’ Under Fire As Social Media Turns On Faces Of Privilege: Who Are They?

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