Gen Z protests in Asia

{{Short description|2020s protests and revolutions}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox civil conflict | title = Gen Z protests in Asia | partof = the [[Gen Z protests]] | image = {{Photo montage | photo1a = The victory celebration of Bangladeshi student's one point movement.jpg | photo2a = 2025 Indonesia Gelap protests 21 February (cropped).jpg | photo2b = Poonak Tehran 2026.jpg | photo3a = 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protesters infront of Bharatpur mahanagarpalika office.jpg | photo3b = Trillion Peso March - EDSA.jpg | size = 280 | spacing = 2 | color = transparent | border = 0 }} | caption = From top to bottom and left to right: [[July Uprising]], [[2025 Indonesian protests]], [[2025–2026 Iranian protests]], [[2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests|Nepalese Gen Z Protests]], [[Trillion Peso March]] | date = 2020–present | place = {{Collapsible list |title=Asia |titlestyle=font-weight:normal;text-align:left; |{{ubl | '''[[East Asia]]''' |{{flag|Mongolia}} | '''[[South Asia]]''' |{{flag|India}} |{{flag|Bangladesh}} |{{flag|Maldives}} |{{flag|Nepal}} |{{flag|Sri Lanka}} | '''[[Southeast Asia]]''' |{{flag|Indonesia}} |{{flag|Malaysia}} |{{flag|Philippines}} |{{flag|Thailand}} |{{flag|Timor-Leste}} | '''[[West Asia]]''' |{{flag|Iran}} }} }} | causes = {{flatlist| *[[Authoritarianism]] *[[Censorship]] *[[Climate change]] *[[Cost of living]] *[[Democratic backsliding in Asia by country|Democratic backsliding]] *[[Economic inequality]] *[[Electoral fraud]] *[[Financial mismanagement|Economic mismanagement]] *[[Human rights]] violations *[[Inflation]] *[[Internet censorship]] *[[Military dictatorship]] *[[Nepotism]] *Opposition to ideologies of governments (in some countries and factions within) *[[Police brutality]] *[[Political corruption]] *[[Political repression]] *[[Poverty]] *[[Racism]] *[[Religious persecution]] *[[Sexism]] *[[Unemployment]] }} | goals = {{ubl| *[[Anti-corruption]] *[[Anti-racism]] *[[Civil liberty]] *[[Decolonisation]] *[[Democracy]] *[[Constitutionalism]] *[[Economic freedom]] *[[Environmentalism]] *[[Employment]] *[[Feminism]] *[[Free and fair elections]] *[[Freedom]] *[[Transparency (behavior)|Government transparency]] *[[Human rights]] *[[Islamisation]] *[[Justice]] *[[Self-determination|National independence]] *[[Neutral country]] *[[Political freedom]] *[[Reform]]s *[[Regime change]] *[[Republicanism]] *[[Revolution]] *[[Rights]] *[[Rule of law]] *[[Secularism]] }} | notes = | methods = {{flatlist| *[[Arson]] *[[Civil disobedience]] *[[Civil resistance]] *[[Civil war]] *[[Political demonstration|Demonstrations]] *[[Insurgency]] *[[Internet activism]] *[[Looting]] *[[Media activism]] *[[Mutiny]] *[[Online activism]] *[[Protest]] *[[Rebellion]] *[[Riot]]s *[[Sit-in]] *[[Strike action]] *[[Student activism]] *[[Vandalism]] *[[Youth activism]] }} | result = See ''[[#Gen Z protests status|Gen Z Protests status]]'' | side1 = | side2 = | side3 = | side4 = | leadfigures1 = | leadfigures2 = | leadfigures3 = | leadfigures4 = | howmany1 = | howmany2 = | howmany3 = | howmany4 = | casualties1 = | casualties2 = | casualties3 = | casualties4 = | fatalities = | injuries = | arrests = }} {{Revolution sidebar}}

Since the early 2020s, a series of mostly [[Generation Z]]–led [[Nonviolent resistance|anti-government protests]] and [[uprisings]] have spread across [[Asia]], most notably in [[South Asia|South]] and [[Southeast Asia]], with several leading to massive [[reform]]s and [[regime change]]. These protests began as a response to widespread [[corruption]], [[nepotism]], [[economic inequality]] and [[Financial mismanagement|mismanagement]], [[authoritarianism]], and [[Democratic backsliding in Asia by country|democratic backsliding]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen Z protests in Asia: Can they spark real change? – DW – 09/18/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/gen-z-protests-in-asia-can-they-spark-real-change/a-74028671 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ha |first1=K. Oanh |last2=Ng |first2=Naomi |last3=Harrison-Dengate |first3=Eleanor |title=From Nepal to Indonesia, What's Driving Asia's Gen Z Protests? |work=Bloomberg |date=16 September 2025 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-16/asia-s-gen-z-protests-what-s-driving-youth-movements-in-nepal-indonesia}}</ref> The [[July Revolution (Bangladesh)|protests in Bangladesh in 2024]] are widely cited as the first successful Gen Z revolution in the world,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-independent.com/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-protesters-gen-z-sheikh-hasina-overthrown-b2591824.html|title=How Bangladesh's students carried out world's first Gen Z revolution|date=7 August 2024|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/06/asia/bangladesh-protests-hasina-resignation-explainer-intl-hnk|title=Bangladesh's 'Gen Z revolution' toppled a veteran leader. Why did they hit the streets and what happens now?|first=Helen|last=Regan|date=6 August 2024|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Paul | first1=Ruma | last2=Das | first2=Krishna N. | last3=Das | first3=Krishna N. | title=Who is Nahid Islam, student leader of campaign to oust PM Sheikh Hasina? | work=Reuters | date=6 August 2024 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/soft-spoken-sociology-student-led-campaign-oust-bangladeshs-hasina-2024-08-06/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newarab.com/opinion/ode-bangladeshs-students-and-first-gen-z-revolution|title=An ode to Bangladesh's students and the first Gen-Z revolution|first=Shamim|last=Chowdhury |work=The New Arab }}</ref> inspiring similar Generation Z–led protests in other Asian countries including [[2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests|Nepal]], [[2025 Indonesian protests|Indonesia]], the [[September 2025 Philippine protests|Philippines]], [[2025 Timor-Leste protests|Timor-Leste]], [[2025 Maldivian protests|Maldives]], [[2025–2026 Iranian protests|Iran]], and [[2025 Mongolian protests|Mongolia]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Anand |date=2025-09-11 |title=Is this the Asian Spring? Are there parallels with the Arab Spring? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/is-this-asian-spring-arab-awakening-nepal-gen-z-protests-bangladesh-agitation-explained-2785513-2025-09-11 |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Opinion {{!}} From Arab Spring to Asian uprisings |url=https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2025/09/18/from-arab-spring-to-asian-uprisings |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sufian |first=Abu |date=2024-08-15 |title=Arab Spring Effect In South Asia: After Sri Lanka And Bangladesh, Where Next? – OpEd |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/15082024-arab-spring-effect-in-south-asia-after-sri-lanka-and-bangladesh-where-next-oped/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Eurasia Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-19 |title=Opinion {{!}} A Leaderless and Connected Gen Z Is Taking Over in Asia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/opinion/asia-protest-youth-nepal-bangladesh.html |access-date=2025-09-19 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Yashraj |title=Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka: Is South Asia fertile for Gen Z revolutions? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/9/16/sri-lanka-bangladesh-nepal-is-south-asia-fertile-for-gen-z-revolutions |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Governments were overthrown in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal; while protests in Indonesia and Timor-Leste achieved reversals of unpopular policies.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-18 |title=How public fury toppled leaders in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh |url=https://www.abc.net.au/asia/nepal-sri-lanka-bangladesh-uprisings/105783610 |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=ABC Asia |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=Indonesian leader fires ministers of finance and security after deadly protests |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/indonesia/indonesian-leader-fires-ministers-finance-security-deadly-protests-rcna229996 |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-16 |title='Stop thieves': Timor-Leste protesters vow to keep rallying over MP car plan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-17/timor-leste-protests-over-mp-car-plan-grow/105781726 |access-date=2025-09-19 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-17 |title=Demonstrations shake Timor-Leste now |url=https://viewsbangladesh.com/demonstrations-shake-timorleste-now/ |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Views Bangladesh |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka Declared State Of Emergency As Crisis Sparks Protests |url=https://www.viralbake.com/sri-lanka-declared-state-of-emergency-as-crisis-sparks-protests/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402074021/https://www.viralbake.com/sri-lanka-declared-state-of-emergency-as-crisis-sparks-protests/ |archive-date=2 April 2022 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Viral Bake}}</ref><ref name="The Wire">{{Cite news |title=A Faux Pas by Bangladesh's PM Has Morphed a Small Protest Into a Nationwide Movement |url=https://thewire.in/south-asia/faux-pas-sheikh-hasina-morphed-small-protest-nationwide-movement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722122553/https://thewire.in/south-asia/faux-pas-sheikh-hasina-morphed-small-protest-nationwide-movement |archive-date=22 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-22 |work=The Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=8 September 2025 |title=At least 10 people killed during protests against Nepal's social media ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/08/nepal-bans-26-social-media-sites-including-x-whatsapp-and-youtube |access-date=8 September 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>}}

==Etymology== The term "'''Asian Spring'''" has been unofficially coined to describe these events, citing their similarities to the [[Arab Spring]], though "Asian Uprising", "Gen Z protests", and "Gen Z revolutions" have also been used. Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy used the term "South Asian Spring" for the Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Thailand, and Nepalese protests.<ref name="orf" />

== Causes ==

=== Economic pressures === [[File:2024_Bangladesh_Quota_Reform_Movement.jpg|thumb|Bangladeshi student in [[shackle]]s carrying a sign saying "Break down the shackles of those [[Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service|quotas]]" during [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement|2024 quota reform movement]], protesting a government job system seen as nepotistic and discriminatory.]] A central factor uniting many Generation Z protest movements in Asia is economic hardship and limited opportunities. Large youth populations in several countries face high rates of unemployment and [[underemployment]], alongside rising living costs, contributing to a sense of precarity. Scholars have described these conditions as leaving young people in "economically precarious" situations, struggling to secure stable employment or adequate wages. According to a 2024 six-country study by the [[ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute]], "unemployment and recession" ranked as the most pressing concern among [[Southeast Asia]]n youth, with 89% of respondents expressing worry, followed by the "widening socio-economic gap", cited by around 85%.<ref name=":11">{{cite report |url=https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/TRS1_25.pdf |title=Youth, Democracy, and Discontent in Southeast Asia: Understanding the Drivers of Youth Unrest |last=Ong |first=Joash |date=December 2024 |publisher=ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute |language=en |access-date=4 October 2025 |series=Trends in Southeast Asia |number=1/2025}}</ref> Persistent [[income inequality]], often compounded by corruption, has reinforced perceptions of injustice. Analysts have observed that recent youth uprisings in [[South Asia]] have been driven primarily by material hardship, with poverty, inflation, and unmet basic needs intensifying public frustration and contributing to broader social unrest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Populism That's Really of the People? Poverty, Protest, and Regime Collapse in South Asia |url=https://www.cgdev.org/blog/populism-thats-really-people-poverty-protest-and-regime-collapse-south-asia |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Center For Global Development |language=en}}</ref> A 2025 [[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|Carnegie Endowment]] analysis similarly identified widening wealth gaps and concerns over a bleak economic future as factors fueling youth activism and demands for relief from deepening social and economic inequalities.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=The Promises and Pitfalls of the Social Media–Fueled Gen-Z Protests Across Asia |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/emissary/2025/09/social-media-gen-z-protests-nepal-indonesia-promises-pitfalls?lang=en |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | date=30 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref> For example, in Sri Lanka, the 2022 protest movement emerged amid severe economic turmoil marked by surging inflation, acute shortages of fuel and medicine, and prolonged power outages in the aftermath of its [[Sri Lankan economic crisis (2019–2024)|economic crisis]]. The collapse of the national economy severely disrupted livelihoods and caused daily hardship for much of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight into the Dark: South Asia's Protest Republics |url=https://dkiapcss.edu/nexus_articles/flight-into-the-dark-south-asias-protest-republics/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies |language=en-US}}</ref> Many of the predominantly young protesters viewed the crisis as the result of long-term economic mismanagement and were motivated by basic concerns of survival; for much of Sri Lanka's youth, politics had come to represent a struggle for survival, dignity, and the right to be heard.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Gen Z's Challenge to Elite Dominance in South Asia |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/gen-zs-challenge-to-elite-dominance-in-south-asia/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

The persistent youth unemployment crisis has intensified these grievances. Despite post-[[COVID-19 pandemic]] economic recovery in some countries, stable and adequately paid jobs for young adults remain limited. Many members of Generation Z report feeling excluded from the benefits of economic growth, viewing it as a lost "demographic dividend'. In South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia, large youth populations have not been matched by sufficient employment opportunities, resulting in growing frustration when economic expansion fails to generate jobs or when young people are confined to informal, insecure, and poorly remunerated work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rind |first=Mohammad Urva |title=The Asian Awakening: How Youth Are Redefining Politics in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Indonesia |url=https://strafasia.com/the-asian-awakening-how-youth-are-redefining-politics-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-nepal-and-indonesia/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Strafasia {{!}} Strategy, analysis, News and insight of Emerging Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref> An August 2024 report by the [[International Labour Organization]] (ILO) observed that, although overall unemployment rates had improved following the COVID-19 pandemic, [[Asia-Pacific]]'s economic anxieties among the youth continued to increase. Surveys cited in the report found that majorities of respondents expressed stress over job loss, job stability, and broader economic conditions, showing persistent uncertainty about their future prospects.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/Asia%20and%20the%20Pacific%20Brief%20GET%20Youth%202024.pdf |title=Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024: Asia and the Pacific |date=August 2024 |publisher=International Labour Organization |language=en |access-date=4 October 2025 |series=ILO Brief}}</ref> Widespread economic precarity, compounded by rising costs of living for essentials such as fuel, food, and housing, has contributed to mounting dissatisfaction among Generation Z. In Nepal, youth anger crystallized around a viral image of a minister's son displaying luxury goods during an economic downturn, which was widely interpreted as emblematic of inequality in a country with a gross domestic product per capital below US$1,500 and where roughly four-fifths of the workforce is employed in the informal sector.<ref name=":9" /> [[File:Asian spring map.png|thumb|Countries where protests happened]] Socio-economic pressures have contributed to a perception among many members of Generation Z that they lack a secure future under existing conditions. In countries such as [[China]], [[India]], and across Southeast Asia, young people have reported being disproportionately affected by unaffordable housing and limited access to quality employment, often in contrast with the experiences of earlier generations. Public institutions are frequently viewed as unresponsive to youth unemployment and ineffective in addressing rising living costs, which bred cynicism and discontent.<ref name=":102">{{cite journal |last=KC |first=Monnappa |date=2025-09-11 |title=The South Asian Crisis: Youth, Ruptured Realities, and the Quest for Ontological Security |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5469949 |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal |language=en |doi=10.2139/ssrn.5469949 |ssrn=5469949 |access-date=2025-10-04}}</ref> The weakening of upward mobility has left many young people frustrated, and such conditions have provided fertile ground for protest movements. When access to education, stable employment, and opportunities for advancement are perceived as unattainable, Generation Z has shown a greater willingness to engage in demonstrations to express grievances and demand change.<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |last=Sastramidjaja |first=Yatun |title=Connective spaces of radical hope: rhizomatic youth struggles for viable futures in Southeast Asia |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2025.2556927 |journal=Journal of Youth Studies |date=2025 |issue=6 |volume=28 |pages=867–884 |doi=10.1080/13676261.2025.2556927 |issn=1367-6261|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":102" />

=== Quotaism, nepotism and lawmaker perks === [[File:Sidang_Tahunan_DPR_&_DPD_RI_2025_Sesi_break.webm|thumb|During a break in the 2025 Annual Session of the [[House of Representatives (Indonesia)|DPR]] and [[Regional Representative Council|DPD RI]], several members of parliament were shown dancing, which drew mass criticism from [[netizen]]s amid economic hardship (15 August 2025).<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2025 |title=Ramai-ramai Kritik Publik ke Anggota DPR yang Joget di Tengah Sulitnya Kondisi Ekonomi |url=https://www.tempo.co/politik/ramai-ramai-kritik-publik-ke-anggota-dpr-yang-joget-di-tengah-sulitnya-kondisi-ekonomi-2061754 |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=Tempo |language=id}}</ref>]] Generation Z protests in several Asian countries have also been characterized as uprisings against entrenched elite rule, reflecting frustration with decades of corruption, [[quotaism]], nepotism, and oligarchic dominance. Across South Asia, many young protesters have explicitly targeted what they describe as powerful [[Political family|political dynasties]] and a wealthy, discredited elite, whom they blame for undermining democracy and economic opportunity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dieterich |first=Carole |date=2025-09-29 |title=Asia's Gen Z rises up against entrenched political elites |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/09/29/asia-s-gen-z-rises-up-against-entrenched-political-elites_6745909_4.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |work=lemonde |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15"/>

In Sri Lanka, the [[Rajapaksa family]]'s long-standing political dominance was a central target of the 2022 Aragalaya movement. Over the years, members of the family occupied key positions in government two brothers alternated as president and prime minister, another served as speaker of parliament, and several relatives held senior posts, prompting widespread accusations of nepotism and corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Protests: Sri Lanka's Aragalaya Movement and the Uncertain Future |url=https://freedomhouse.org/article/beyond-protests-sri-lankas-aragalaya-movement-and-uncertain-future |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pal |first=Alasdair |date=2020-08-13 |title=Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa family cements power with ministerial picks |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/asia-pacific/sri-lankas-rajapaksa-family-cements-power-with-ministerial-picks-idUSKCN2591NH/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |work=Reuters |location=New Delhi |language=en}}</ref> The resulting concentration of power was widely associated with policy mismanagement that contributed to the country's economic collapse.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/CR/2024/English/1LKAEA2024002.ashx |title=Sri Lanka: Selected Issues |date=2024-06-13 |publisher=International Monetary Fund |doi=10.5089/9798400279492.002 |location=Washington, DC |language=en |isbn=979-8-40027-949-2 |access-date=2025-10-09 |series=IMF Staff Country Reports |number=2024/162|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.isas.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ISAS-KAS-Special-Report-24.pdf |title=Sri Lanka's Evolving Crisis: Implications on Rule of Law and Constitutional Democracy |last1=Gurung |first1=Wini Fred |last2=Murali |first2=Divya |last3=Kapur |first3=Roshni |last4=Gamage |first4=Rajni |last5=Attanayake |first5=Chulanee |date=April 2023 |publisher=Institute of South Asian Studies; Rule of Law Programme Asia, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung |location=Singapore |language=en |access-date=2025-10-09 |series=ISAS–KAS Special Report |number=24}}</ref> The Aragalaya protests were therefore viewed not only as a demand for President [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]]'s resignation but as a broader revolt against systemic corruption and elite capture,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Protests: Sri Lanka's Aragalaya Movement and the Uncertain Future |url=https://freedomhouse.org/article/beyond-protests-sri-lankas-aragalaya-movement-and-uncertain-future |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref> with participants calling for a "system change" and an end to [[cronyism]] and [[Graft (politics)|graft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Aragalaya Protest Movement and the Struggle for Political Change in Sri Lanka |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/08/sri-lanka-aragalaya-protest-movement-oust-wickremesinghe-rajapaksa?lang=en |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | date=27 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-06 |title=UN Urges Sri Lanka to Get a Grip on Crisis, Prosecute Graft |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/6779123.html |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>

A comparable event unfolded in Bangladesh during the 2024 youth-led movement known as the "Student–People's Revolution." Initially triggered by opposition to a [[Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service|government job quota]] reserving 30% of civil service positions for certain groups, including descendants of [[Mukti Bahini|war veterans]], the protests reflected broader dissatisfaction with what participants saw as nepotistic and exclusionary governance. Demonstrators denounced corruption, [[In-group favoritism|favoritism]], and what they perceived as an increasingly authoritarian and [[Kleptocracy|kleptocratic]] political system. Their demands soon expanded beyond the quota issue to calls for [[Meritocracy|merit-based recruitment]], free elections, and an end to political elitism.<ref name=":15" /> On social media and in the streets, Bangladeshi students condemned nepotism embedded in the reinstated civil-service quota that reserved 30% of jobs for descendants of independence fighters, arguing it disproportionately favored [[Awami League|ruling-party]] loyalists and shut out merit amid high youth unemployment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Sudipto |date=2024-07-21 |title=Explainer: Why are Bangladesh students protesting against job quotas? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/why-are-bangladesh-students-protesting-against-job-quotas-2024-07-18/ |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Redwan |last2=Ellis-Petersen |first2=Hannah |date=2024-07-21 |title=Bangladesh's top court cuts job quotas that led to deadly student-led protests |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/21/bangladesh-court-scraps-job-quotas-student-led-protests |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

In Indonesia, student and youth-led protests in late August 2025 zeroed in on lawmakers' perks, mainly especially a Rp50 million/month housing allowance reportedly paid to all 580 DPR Parliament members since September 2024, triggering clashes outside Parliament in Jakarta on 25 August and spotlighting anger over elite privilege amid economic strain and youth unemployment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Riot police clash with students protesting lawmakers' allowances in Indonesia |url=https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-student-protest-parliament-49e31c7074aab8375aec06143f6b2edc |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> The allowance's legal basis had been set out earlier in the DPR letter which became a focal point in media and legal explainers as demonstrators pressed for repeal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hukumonline |first=Tim |title=Dasar Hukum Pemberian Tunjangan Perumahan DPR RI |url=https://www.hukumonline.com/berita/a/tunjangan-perumahan-dpr-lt68a83d8f2a78a/ |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=hukumonline.com |language=id}}</ref> On the onset of the [[killing of Affan Kurniawan]], a deadly week of unrest, and the looting of houses owned by rich lawmakers, the law on controversial perks and curb overseas trips were revoked by president [[Prabowo Subianto|Prabowo]] under a move that was framed as a response to the mounting death toll and public outrage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Indonesian leader pledges to revoke lawmakers' perks after protests leave 6 dead |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/31/indonesia-protests-violence-lawmakers-perks-00539006 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref> Echoing the region's "perks" backlash, mid-September 2025 in Timor-Leste, thousands of mostly university students rallied in Dili against a budget item to buy 65 Toyota Prado SUVs for its MPs (about US$4.2 million in total).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-15 |title=Police clash with protesters in Timor-Leste as new car plan sparks anger |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-15/timor-leste-protesters-demand-repeal-of-plan-to-buy-cars-for-mps/105776898 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> The protests then pivoted to a broader demand to scrap lifetime pensions perks for lawmakers (and some senior officials).<ref name="auto2">{{cite news |last=Da Cruz |first=Nelson |date=2025-09-17 |title=East Timor lawmakers agree to scrap lawmaker pension allowances that sparked student protests |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/east-timor-lawmakers-agree-scrap-lawmaker-pension-allowances-that-sparked-2025-09-17/ |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Reuters |location=Dili |language=en}}</ref> Timorense youth protesters explicitly framed MPs as "self-serving" with lavish perks (US$4.2m for 65 SUVs and lifetime pensions) and marching with banners like "Stop thieves/stop corrupters," which cast lawmakers' perks as greedy and illegitimate in one of the region's poorest countries and issues of high inequality, malnutrition and unemployment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCready |first=Alastair |title=East Timor MPs bow to protesters, vote to scrap lifetime pensions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/26/east-timor-mps-bow-to-protesters-vote-to-scrap-lifetime-pensions |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Timor-Leste: Parliament scraps plans on cars and lifetime pensions after student protests mobilised |url=https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/timor-leste-parliament-scraps-plans-on-cars-and-lifetime-pensions-after-student-protests-mobilised/ |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Civicus Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Timor-Leste Protests Over Luxury Cars for MPs Turn Violent in Dili- UCA News |url=https://www.ucanews.com/amp/timorese-protest-against-luxury-vehicles-for-mps-turns-violent/110301 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=ucanews.com |language=en}}</ref>

In Nepal, recent youth-led protests focused on what demonstrators described as entrenched political elites and a pervasive culture of corruption and privilege. Protesters criticized officials' perks and allowances and railed against nepotism, alleging that positions and advantages go to friends and family rather than on merit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=No perks, no frills: Finance Minister Khanal takes tough road of austerity |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/no-perks-no-frills-finance-minister-khanal-takes-tough-road-of-austerity-55-61.html |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TRT World - Here's how Nepal's interim government wants to end excessive spending of public funds |url=https://www.trtworld.com/article/3a7ace042f81 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=www.trtworld.com |language=en}}</ref> Public outrage intensified after reports circulated that the teenage daughter of a senior official had been chauffeured in a government vehicle that struck and injured a schoolgirl, an incident that became emblematic of perceptions that the "children of political elites" acted with impunity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koshi Province minister's vehicle knocks down girl in Lalitpur |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/09/06/koshi-province-minister-s-vehicle-knocks-down-girl-in-lalitpur |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Public criticism mounts on social media over hit-and-run case involving minister |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/public-criticism-spread-on-social-media-over-hit-and-run-case-involving-min-70-42.html |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com |language=en}}</ref> In Kathmandu, students carried school textbooks during demonstrations to symbolize the perceived futility of education in a system dominated by nepotism, expressing frustration that hard work and merit were often overshadowed by political connections.<ref name=":16" /> The motif fed a broader sentiment that [[meritocracy]] has been undermined by patronage, deepening generational anger. Analysts link this unrest to long-standing elite capture and insufficient inclusive development, while Gen-Z protesters cast their movement as a challenge to "business as usual" politics that benefits political power and resources to benefit a privileged few at the expense of the wider public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FOUNDATION |first=OBSERVER RESEARCH |title=South Asia's Youth Uprisings: Trends, Causes, and Implications |url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/south-asia-s-youth-uprisings-trends-causes-and-implications |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=orfonline.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Saurabh |last2=Sharma |first2=Gopal |date=2025-09-09 |title=How 'Gen Z' protests over corruption and jobs ousted Nepal PM Oli |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-gen-z-protests-over-corruption-jobs-ousted-nepal-pm-oli-2025-09-09/ |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

=== Corruption and distrust === {{See also|Corruption in Sri Lanka|Corruption in Bangladesh|Corruption in Indonesia|Corruption in Nepal|Corruption in Timor-Leste|Corruption in the Philippines|label 2=Bangladesh|label 3=Indonesia|label 4=Nepal|label 5=Timor-Leste|label 6=the Philippines}} [[File:Map_of_Countries_by_Corruption_Perceptions_Index_(2024).svg|thumb|A map of all countries surveyed by Transparency International's [[Corruption Perceptions Index]].{{Col-begin}} {{Col-break}} {{Legend|#002da5|90–100}} {{legend|#0069f0|80–89}} {{legend|#37cdff|70–79}} {{legend|#fff078|60–69}} {{legend|#ffc800|50–59}} {{legend|#ff9600|40–49}} {{Col-break}} {{legend|#ff5a00|30–39}} {{legend|#d20000|20–29}} {{legend|#8c0000|10–19}} {{legend|#370000|0–9}} {{legend|#c0c0c0|No Data}} {{Col-end}}]] A significant motivator for Generation Z protests is discontent with corruption, nepotism, and the perceived entrenchment of [[Elite|political elites]]. Across Asia, many young people view their governments as dominated by longstanding elites who retain power and wealth while ordinary citizens face economic challenges.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-29 |title=Asia's Gen Z rises up against entrenched political elites |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/09/29/asia-s-gen-z-rises-up-against-entrenched-political-elites_6745909_4.html |access-date=2025-10-09 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ellis-Petersen |first1=Hannah |last2=Pokharel |first2=Gaurav |date=2025-09-16 |title=From Colombo to Kathmandu, the furious youth movements toppling entrenched elites |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/16/colombo-kathmandu-youth-movements-nepal-toppling-entrenched-elites |access-date=2025-10-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Analysts note that frustration with corruption is particularly pronounced among members of Generation Z, who held more interest of scandals and displays of excess among political leaders.<ref name=":11"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jiang |first1=Anli |last2=Zhang |first2=Tony Huiquan |date=2021-12-10 |title=Political Trust in East and Southeast Asia: The Joint Effects of Education, Corruption Perception, and Urbanization |url=https://academic.oup.com/ijpor/article/33/4/911/6382504 |journal=International Journal of Public Opinion Research |language=en |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=911–926 |doi=10.1093/ijpor/edab008 |issn=0954-2892|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This has contributed to what some observers describe as a widening gap between young people and public institutions, as youth express declining trust in elites seen as prioritizing self-enrichment over public service.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Thapa |first=Santa Bahadur |date=2023-10-10 |title=The Nepotism and Favouritism in Politics of South Asia |url=https://www.paradigmpress.org/SSSH/article/view/810 |journal=Studies in Social Science & Humanities |volume=2 |issue=10 |pages=1–9 |doi=10.56397/SSSH.2023.10.01 |access-date=2025-10-09|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":13"/> [[File:MPL07977.jpg|thumb|Timorense youth protestors. Left: "I'm ugly because of the tattoos, but I'm not a ''[[Mafioso (criminal)|mafioso]]'' like the 65 MPs." Right: "Abolish the lifetime pension completely, down with the greedy MPs."]] Generation Z protests have also been driven by declining trust in government institutions and frustration with governance failures. Government inefficiency, unresponsive bureaucracies, and heavy-handed crackdowns have contributed to a perception among youth that existing systems are ineffective or broken. Studies have noted a "collective lack of trust" among young people in Asia regarding political and economic institutions' ability to address their concerns in a timely or effective way.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Populism That's Really of the People? Poverty, Protest, and Regime Collapse in South Asia |url=https://www.cgdev.org/blog/populism-thats-really-people-poverty-protest-and-regime-collapse-south-asia |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Center For Global Development |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Gen Z's Challenge to Elite Dominance in South Asia |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/09/gen-zs-challenge-to-elite-dominance-in-south-asia/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Leaders are often perceived as failing to provide adequate public services, employment, or justice except to well-connected groups. Government responses to peaceful dissent through repression or violence have further eroded legitimacy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-02 |title=Are Youth-led Revolutions in South Asia a Cause for Concern? |url=https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/10/02/41216 |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=www.globalissues.org |language=en-gb}}</ref> Recent South Asian uprisings has concluded that harsh state crackdowns represented "fatal miscalculations" that intensified youth mobilization. For example, protests in Sri Lanka in 2022 and Bangladesh in 2024 escalated after authorities' responses were seen to have ruptured the [[social contract]] and undermined remaining trust.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wijeyesekera |first=Natasha |date=2025 |title=Is the Aragalaya in Sri Lanka an Awakening of the Sleeping Sovereign? A Reading through the Lens of the Social Contract Theory |url=https://arts.pdn.ac.lk/law/plj-articles/Is-the-Aragalaya-in-SL-an-Awakening-of-the-Sleeping-Sovereign-N-Wijesekera.pdf |journal=Peradeniya Law Journal |language=en |publisher=Department of Law, University of Peradeniya |volume=1 |pages=62–73 |access-date=2025-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/countries/bangladesh/ohchr-fftb-hr-violations-bd.pdf |title=Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh |date=2025-02-12 |publisher=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) |location=Geneva |language=en |access-date=2025-10-09}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> In parts of Southeast Asia, authoritarian or semi-authoritarian governance has provoked youth-led movements calling for democracy and civil liberties. Observers note that while earlier generations may have tolerated restrictions on political freedoms, many young people today reject authoritarian and dynastic systems that they view as jeopardizing their rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rind |first=Mohammad Urva |title=The Asian Awakening: How Youth Are Redefining Politics in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Indonesia |url=https://strafasia.com/the-asian-awakening-how-youth-are-redefining-politics-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-nepal-and-indonesia/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Strafasia {{!}} Strategy, analysis, News and insight of Emerging Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref> A Kadence International survey notes that less than half of youths in Southeast Asia (49%) trust their governments, with trust levels significantly lower in some countries (only ~42% in [[Malaysia]], for instance).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Youth Attitudes Toward Governance in Southeast Asia |url=https://kadence.com/report/youth-attitudes-toward-governance-in-southeast-asia/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Kadence |language=en-GB}}</ref> Whilst the [[ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute|ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute]] documents sustained youth activism online/offline and stark cross-country gaps in satisfaction with the political system, with Indonesia 71.5% and the Philippines 61.4% being the most dissatisfied with their governments in Southeast Asia; directly linking optimism/trust to issues like transparency and corruption.<ref name=":11" /> Scholars have described these movements as part of a broader generational struggle, with youth activists explicitly resisting oligarchic and authoritarian norms across the region.<ref name=":13" />

In several countries, Generation Z has expressed the view that political leadership is dominated by [[gerontocratic]] elites who are perceived as disconnected from younger generations. Public institutions are often seen as "bastions of well-connected insiders" focused on preserving power rather than addressing youth concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isabel Bulan Yague |first=Erika |date=26 Sep 2025 |title=The youth are revolting as Asia's gerontocracy is showing its age |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/youth-are-revolting-asia-s-gerontocracy-showing-its-age |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Lowy Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web |last=Dardeli |first=Aleksander |date=2020-03-09 |title=Young people are key to defusing unrest and restoring public trust |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/03/young-people-key-defusing-unrest/ |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=World Economic Forum |language=en}}</ref> This has contributed to what analysts describe as a crisis of confidence, with many young Asians regarding their governments as lacking transparency and accountability. According to the [[United Nations Development Programme]], the rise in youth activism has emerged as a response to this erosion of trust, with young people demanding a greater role in shaping decisions that affect their future. The UNDP further observes that governments' failure to incorporate youth perspectives or respond to their grievances diminishes institutional credibility.<ref name=":14">{{cite report |url=https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-06/rbap_key_risks_and_uncertainties_2023.pdf |title=Anticipating Risks and Uncertainties for Asia and the Pacific: 2023 Updated Key Risks Report |last1=Krishnan |first1=Aarathi |last2=Happ |first2=Samantha |last3=Robele |first3=Sophia |date=2023-05-31 |publisher=United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific |location=New York, NY |language=en |access-date=2025-10-09}}</ref> In contexts where governance is perceived as ineffective or unjust, and formal avenues for redress appear inaccessible, protest has become a key means for Generation Z to demand accountability and reform.<ref name=":14" /><ref name="auto1"/>

== Precursor protests ==

=== Sri Lanka === {{Further|Aragalaya}}

The '''Aragalaya''' ({{langx|si|අරගලය|lit=The Struggle}}) was a series of mass protests that began in March 2022 against the [[government of Sri Lanka]]. The government was heavily criticized for mismanaging the [[Economy of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan economy]], which led to [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|a subsequent economic crisis]] involving severe inflation, daily blackouts, and a shortage of fuel, domestic gas, and other essential goods. The protesters' main demand was the resignation of President [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] and key officials from the [[Rajapaksa family]]. Despite the involvement of several opposition parties, most protesters considered themselves to be [[Apoliticism|apolitical]], with many expressing discontent with the parliamentary opposition.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last=Nadeera |first=Dilshan |title=The betrayal of the young |url=http://island.lk/the-betrayal-of-the-young/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)|The Island]] |date=3 April 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> Protesters chanted slogans such as "Go Home Gota", "Go Home Rajapaksas",<ref name=":7">{{cite web |last=Perera |first=Yohan |date=April 2, 2022 |title=Carpenters in Moratuwa stage protest |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/front_page/Carpenters-in-Moratuwa-stage-protest/238-234339 |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[Daily Mirror]] |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=4 April 2022 |title=Opposition reject Gotabaya call to join cabinet amid crisis |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-crisis-gotabaya-rajapaksa-invites-all-parties-to-cabinet-to-find-solutions/article65289008.ece |access-date=10 April 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and "Aragalayata [[Jaya Wewa]]" ("Victory to the struggle").<ref>ANS (2022). [https://www.deccanherald.com/international/sri-lankan-police-fire-tear-gas-against-protesters-near-pms-office-1126284.html Sri Lankan Police fire tear gas against protesters near PM's office]. [[Deccan Herald]].</ref> Most protests were organized by the general public,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka's Leaderless Protests |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/sri-lankas-leaderless-protests/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka: The protesters |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/world/sri-lanka-the-protesters-7872646/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> with youths playing a major part by carrying out protests at [[Galle Face Green]].<ref>{{cite web |date=April 12, 2022 |title=Don't play around with this generation |url=https://www.ft.lk/columns/Don-t-play-around-with-this-generation/4-733365 |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=[[Daily FT]] |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ranasinghe |first=Shivanthi |date=18 April 2022 |title='Messed with the Wrong Generation' |url=https://ceylontoday.lk/news/messed-with-the-wrong-generation |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=[[Ceylon Today]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Weerasinghe |first=Tharushi |date=April 10, 2022 |title=The youth are marching on |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/220410/news/the-youth-are-marching-on-479537.html |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wijedasa |first1=Namini |last2=Weerasinghe |first2=Tharushi |date=April 17, 2022 |title=Diverse but determined; the people keep coming to Galle Face |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/220417/news/diverse-but-determined-the-people-keep-coming-to-galle-face-479933.html |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419053608/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/220417/news/diverse-but-determined-the-people-keep-coming-to-galle-face-479933.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The government reacted to the protests with authoritarian methods, such as declaring a [[state of emergency]], allowing the military to arrest civilians, imposing [[curfew]]s, and [[Internet censorship|restricting access to social media]]. The government violated the law and the [[Constitution of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan constitution]] by attempting to suppress the protests.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka imposes curfew amid food, fuel and power shortage protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60962185 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka imposes curfew after protests over food, fuel shortages |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/2/sri-lanka-in-36-hour-nationwide-curfew-to-quell-unrest |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> The [[Sri Lankan diaspora]] also began demonstrations against the suppression of basic [[Human rights in Sri Lanka|human rights in the country]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ඇදිරිය හා සමාජ මාධ්‍ය තහනම නිසා රජයට ඇති අප්‍රසාදය ඉහළට? |url=https://www.ada.lk/breaking_news/ඇදිරිය-හා-සමාජ-මාධ්‍ය-තහනම-නිසා-රජයට-ඇති-අප්‍රසාදය-ඉහළට-/11-391936 |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=www.ada.lk |language=Sinhala}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 April 2022 |title=Sri Lankans in NZ, Australia take to the street against govt. |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Sri-Lankans-in-NZ-Australia-take-to-the-street-against-govt/108-234377 |access-date=10 May 2022 |work=dailymirror.lk |publisher=Wijeya Newspapers}}</ref> In April, the government's ban on social media was perceived to have backfired; [[hashtag]]s such as #GoHomeGota, which is believed to have been coined by an activist called Pathum Kerner in December 2021, had begun [[Twitter trends|trending on Twitter]] internationally. The government's ban was lifted later that day. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka condemned the government's actions and summoned officials responsible for the blocking and abuse of protesters.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{cite news |date=3 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka lifts social media ban, HRCSL summons officials |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2022/04/03/sri-lanka-lifts-social-media-ban-hrcsl-summons-officials/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=NewsWire |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403104845/https://www.newswire.lk/2022/04/03/sri-lanka-lifts-social-media-ban-hrcsl-summons-officials/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 3 April, all 26 members of the [[Second Gotabaya Rajapaksa cabinet]] resigned with the exception of Prime Minister [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]. Critics said that the resignation was not valid as they did not follow constitutional protocol<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka's cabinet ministers resign as crisis protesters defy curfew |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60975941 |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cabinet resigns |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/Cabinet-resigns/342-234400 |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news |date=4 April 2022 |title=Sri Lanka main SJB slams 'sham' cabinet resignation, says no deal |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-main-sjb-slams-sham-cabinet-resignation-says-no-deal-92523/ |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=EconomyNext |language=en}}</ref> and several of the ministers who "resigned" were reinstated in different ministries the next day.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |title=4 new Ministers sworn in |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/4-new-Ministers-sworn-in/342-234453 |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> Chief government whip [[Johnston Fernando]] insisted that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would not resign under any circumstances.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 2022 |title=Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Sri Lanka president defies calls for his resignation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61005827 |access-date=6 April 2022 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The protests, however, led to the removal of officials and ministers, including members of the Rajapaksa family and their close associates, and to the appointment of more qualified and veteran officials and the creation of the Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka's Leaderless Protests |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/sri-lankas-leaderless-protests/ |access-date=14 May 2022 |work=The Diplomat}}</ref>

On 9 July 2022, protesters occupied the [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]] in [[Colombo]], causing Rajapaksa to flee and Prime Minister [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] to announce his own willingness to resign.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-10 |title=Sri Lanka: Protesters 'will occupy palace until leaders go' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62111900 |access-date=2022-07-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> About a week later, on 20 July, Parliament [[2022 Sri Lankan presidential election|elected Wickremesinghe as President]].<ref name="election.jazeera">{{cite news |last=Stepansky |first=Joseph |date=20 July 2022 |title=Sri Lanka live news: Ranil Wickremesinghe elected president |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/7/20/sri-lanka-live-news-parliamentarians-to-vote-for-new-president |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220720072157/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/7/20/sri-lanka-live-news-parliamentarians-to-vote-for-new-president |archive-date=20 July 2022 |access-date=2022-07-20 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> By November 2022, the protests had largely cooled off due to improvement in economic conditions. While the protests were mostly over, it was noted that it would take until 2026 for full economic recovery to be achieved.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhat |first1=Swati |last2=Jayasinghe |first2=Uditha |date=30 November 2022 |title=Sri Lanka aims to return to pre-crisis growth by 2026 - minister |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/sri-lanka-aims-return-pre-crisis-growth-by-2026-minister-2022-11-30/ |newspaper=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 December 2022 |title=Sri Lanka welcomes 59,000 tourists in November |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-welcomes-59000-tourists-in-november-104875/}}</ref>

=== Bangladesh === ==== July Uprising ==== {{Further|July Uprising}} The July Uprising,{{efn|{{langx|bn|জুলাই অভ্যুত্থান|Julāi Ôbhyutthān}}}} also known as the July Mass Uprising,{{efn|{{langx|bn|জুলাই গণ-অভ্যুত্থান|Julāi Gono-Ôbhyutthān}}}} Gen Z revolution,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Kaamil |last2=Moore |first2=Bryony |last3=Čvorak |first3=Monika |last4=Guardian |first4=Source: The |date=2024-08-08 |title=Bangladesh: how the 'gen Z revolution' forced the prime minister to flee – video explainer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2024/aug/08/bangladesh-how-the-gen-z-revolution-forced-the-prime-minister-to-flee-video-explainer |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=THE GEN Z REVOLUTION AND BEYOND |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/lifestyle/others/the-gen-z-revolution-and-beyond |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Financial Express |language=en-US}}</ref> or the Student-People's Uprising,{{efn|{{langx|bn|ছাত্র–জনতার অভ্যুত্থান|Chātrô–Jônôtār Ôbhyutthān}}}} was a mass uprising in [[Bangladesh]] in 2024.<ref name="d1">{{cite news |last1=Moral |first1=Shishir |title=Student-people uprising: More than 18,000 injured |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/1qyly6muhk |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=7 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Campbell |first1=Charlie |title=Bangladesh Protests Become 'People's Uprising' Against Government |url=https://time.com/7007756/bangladesh-protests-sheikh-hasina-uprising-analysis/ |magazine=Time |date=5 August 2024 |language=en |access-date=13 October 2024 |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923203435/https://time.com/7007756/bangladesh-protests-sheikh-hasina-uprising-analysis/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="banglanews24.com">{{Cite news |author1=Banglanews24 |date=6 September 2024 |script-title=bn:কোটা আন্দোলন থেকে অভ্যুত্থান: উত্থান-পতনে যেভাবে এসেছে সফলতা |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/1387522.details |access-date=7 September 2024 |work=[[banglanews24.com]] |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=875 die in student-people uprising, most were bullet-hit: HRSS |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/ug17dtbocv |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=13 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="d2">{{cite news |title=At least 875 killed in July mass uprising |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/least-875-killed-july-mass-uprising-3702451 |work=The Daily Star |date=14 September 2024 |language=en |access-date=13 October 2024 |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914062934/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/least-875-killed-july-mass-uprising-3702451 |url-status=live }}</ref> It began as a [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement|quota reform movement]] in early June 2024, led by the [[Students Against Discrimination]], after the [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh|Bangladesh Supreme Court]] invalidated the government's 2018 circular regarding job quotas in the public sector. Coinciding with the first anniversary of the [[resignation of Sheikh Hasina]], on 5 August 2025, the uprising received constitutional acknowledgment with the announcement of the [[July Declaration]], and it has been described as the world's first Gen Z revolution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sarkar |first=Alisha Rahaman |date=7 August 2024 |title=How Bangladesh's students carried out world's first Gen Z revolution |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-protesters-gen-z-sheikh-hasina-overthrown-b2591824.html |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=Hasina resignation marks first 'successful Gen Z led revolution' {{!}} Department of Government |url=https://government.cornell.edu/news/hasina-resignation-marks-first-successful-gen-z-led-revolution |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=government.cornell.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=All Events {{!}} U-M LSA Asian Languages and Cultures |url=https://lsa.umich.edu/asian/news-events/all-events.detail.html/128429-21860807.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=lsa.umich.edu |language=en}}</ref>

The movement escalated into a full-fledged mass uprising after the government carried out [[mass killing]]s of protesters, known as the [[July massacre]], by late July.<ref name="scmp2Aug2024">{{cite news |date=2 August 2024 |title=Bangladesh student protests become 'people's uprising' after brutal crackdown |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272919/bangladesh-student-protests-become-peoples-uprising-after-brutal-government-crackdown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804024017/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272919/bangladesh-student-protests-become-peoples-uprising-after-brutal-government-crackdown |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=13 October 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] blamed Hasina's government's "heavy-handed response" for causing the death of "students, journalists, and bystanders" and demanded that the Hasina-led "government of Bangladesh urgently end this repression."<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh must immediately end crackdown against protesters |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/petition/bangladesh-must-immediately-end-crackdown-against-protesters/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] had also called on foreign governments to urge Hasina to "end the use of excessive force against protesters and hold troops to account for human rights abuses."<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-22 |title=Bangladesh: Security Forces Target Unarmed Students |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/22/bangladesh-security-forces-target-unarmed-students |access-date=2025-07-13 |work=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref> HRW's deputy Asia director had also highlighted "unfettered security force abuses against anyone who opposes the Sheikh Hasina government."<ref name=":24" />

By early August, the movement evolved into a [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)|non-cooperation movement]], ultimately leading to the ouster of the then-prime minister, [[Sheikh Hasina]], who fled to India. Hasina's ouster triggered a [[2024 Bangladesh constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]], leading to the formation of an [[Interim government of Muhammad Yunus|interim government]] led by economist [[Muhammad Yunus]], as the chief adviser.

===== 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement ===== {{Further|2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement}} [[File:1.Bangladesh_quota_reform_movement_2024.jpg|thumb|A group of students demonstrating in the quota reform movement in [[Shahbag]], [[Dhaka]]]] The 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement was a series of anti-government<ref name="Will consider talks if nine demands met"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shih |first=Gerry |date=2024-07-19 |title=Bangladesh imposes curfew after dozens killed in anti-government protests |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/19/bangladesh-demonstrations-police-hasina/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720085158/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/19/bangladesh-demonstrations-police-hasina/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Drenched in blood - how Bangladesh protests turned deadly |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng5v03gd4o |access-date=2024-07-24 |publisher=BBC |date=24 July 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023456/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng5v03gd4o |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-19 |title=Bangladesh wakes to TV, internet blackout as deadly protests spike |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240719-deadly-clashes-between-police-and-students-during-protests-in-bangladesh |access-date=2024-07-24 |publisher=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724110442/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240719-deadly-clashes-between-police-and-students-during-protests-in-bangladesh |url-status=live}}</ref> and pro-democracy<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=As Protests Erupt, a Rocky Start to Sheikh Hasina's Fourth Consecutive Term |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/as-protests-erupt-a-rocky-start-to-sheikh-hasinas-fourth-consecutive-term/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |magazine=The Diplomat |language=en-US |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727013931/https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/as-protests-erupt-a-rocky-start-to-sheikh-hasinas-fourth-consecutive-term/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=bn:বিডিটুডে.নেট:গণতন্ত্রের পক্ষে, স্বৈরাচারের বিরুদ্ধে লড়ছে বাংলাদেশ |url=https://www.newsbybd.net/newsdetail/detail/31/653358 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=A complete online magazine |language=bn |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802180821/https://www.newsbybd.net/newsdetail/detail/31/653358 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-02 |title=Jamaat-Shibir banned |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/jamaat-shibir-banned-3667471 |access-date=2024-08-02 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802180821/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/jamaat-shibir-banned-3667471 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:নতুন নির্বাচন দাবি ড. ইউনূসের গণতন্ত্রে রাষ্ট্রের মালিক জনগণ |url=https://mzamin.com/news.php?news=120099 |access-date=2024-08-02 |work=Manab Zamin |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901162117/https://mzamin.com/news.php?news=120099 |url-status=live}}</ref> protests in [[Bangladesh]], spearheaded primarily by [[Universities in Bangladesh|university]] students. Initially focused on restructuring [[Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service|quota-based systems]] for government job recruitment, the movement expanded against what many perceived as an authoritarian government when government-associated groups carried out the [[July massacre]] of protestors and civilians, most of whom were students.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hasnat |first1=Saif |date=11 July 2024 |title=Tens of Thousands of Students Protest Job Quotas in Bangladesh's Streets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/world/asia/bandladesh-student-protests-job-quotas.html |url-access= |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715023641/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/world/asia/bandladesh-student-protests-job-quotas.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hasan |first1=Mubashar |last2=Ruud |first2=Arild Engelsen |date=15 July 2024 |title=Why is the Bangladesh Government Unable to Quell Ongoing Students Protests? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/why-is-the-bangladesh-government-unable-to-quell-ongoing-students-protests/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716020906/https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/why-is-the-bangladesh-government-unable-to-quell-ongoing-students-protests/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=8 July 2024 |title=Bangladeshi protesters demand end to civil service job quotas |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshi-protesters-demand-end-to-civil-service-job-quotas/article68380404.ece |access-date=17 July 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717083343/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshi-protesters-demand-end-to-civil-service-job-quotas/article68380404.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Quota Reform Protest In Bangladesh Is Much More Than It Seems |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/the-quota-reform-protest-in-bangladesh-is-much-more-than-it-seems/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |magazine=The Diplomat |language=en-US |archive-date=21 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721064705/https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/the-quota-reform-protest-in-bangladesh-is-much-more-than-it-seems/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Started as a student movement, the movement later escalated into a fully-fledged mass uprising known as the [[July Uprising]].

The protest began in June 2024, in response to the [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh]] [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform case|reinstating]] a 30% quota for descendants of [[Mukti Bahini|freedom fighters]], reversing the government decision made in response to the [[2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement]]. Students began to feel like they have a limited opportunity based on merit. The protest quickly spread throughout the entire country because of the government's violent response, as well as growing public dissatisfaction against an oppressive government. The situation was further complicated by many other ongoing issues, like the government's inability to manage a prolonged [[Recession|economic downturn]], reports of rampant corruption and human rights violations, and the absence of democratic channels for initiating changes.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lu |first=Christina |date=2024-08-07 |title=What's Behind Bangladesh's Student Protests? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/18/bangladesh-student-protests-quota-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023456/https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/18/bangladesh-student-protests-quota-system/ |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |magazine=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-10 |title=Is the system rigged against meritocracy? |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/the-system-rigged-against-meritocracy-3653471 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716063251/https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/editorial/news/the-system-rigged-against-meritocracy-3653471 |archive-date=16 July 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Redwan |last2=Ellis-Petersen |first2=Hannah |date=2024-07-26 |title=Bangladesh student protests turn into 'mass movement against a dictator' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/26/bangladesh-student-protests-mass-movement-against-dictator |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023457/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/26/bangladesh-student-protests-mass-movement-against-dictator |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Charlie Campbell |date=2023-11-02 |title=Sheikh Hasina and the Future of Democracy in Bangladesh |url=https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104145458/https://time.com/6330463/bangladesh-sheikh-hasina-wazed-profile/ |archive-date=4 January 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref>

The government sought to suppress the protests by shutting down all educational institutions. They deployed their student wing, the [[Bangladesh Chhatra League|Chhatra League]], along with other factions of the [[Bangladesh Awami League|Awami League]] party. These groups resorted to using firearms and sharp weapons against the demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/671x6o5ojl |script-title=bn:সিলেটে কোটা আন্দোলনকারীদের ওপর ছাত্রলীগের সশস্ত্র হামলা, আহত ১০ |work=Prothom Alo |date=16 July 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=bn |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802074039/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/671x6o5ojl |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rtvonline.com/country/283055 |script-title=bn:চট্টগ্রামে শিক্ষার্থীদের ওপর গুলি চালানো দুজনের পরিচয় মিলেছে |publisher=[[RTV (Bangladeshi TV channel)|RTV]] |date=17 July 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802073304/https://www.rtvonline.com/country/283055 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=((Jagonews24.Com)) |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/m/campus/news/956395 |script-title=bn:শাবিপ্রবির ছাত্রলীগ নেতাদের রুম থেকে বিপুল পরিমাণ অস্ত্র উদ্ধার |work=[[Jago News 24]] |date=18 July 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=bn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802072901/https://www.jagonews24.com/m/campus/news/956395 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The government then deployed [[Bangladesh Police|Police]], [[Rapid Action Battalion|RAB]], [[Border Guard Bangladesh|BGB]] and [[Bangladesh Armed Forces|other armed forces]], declaring a nationwide shoot-at-sight [[curfew]]<ref name="The Wire" /><ref name="Reuters-2024">{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-students-clash-job-quota-protests-least-100-injured-2024-07-15/ |title=Bangladesh students clash in job quota protests, at least 100 injured |work=[[Reuters]] |date=15 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Regan |first=Helen |date=2024-07-19 |title=Bangladesh has erupted over jobs reserved for the children of 'freedom fighters.' Here's what you need to know |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/19/asia/bangladesh-job-quota-protests-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2024-07-20 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720202744/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/19/asia/bangladesh-job-quota-protests-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> amid an unprecedented government-ordered nationwide internet and mobile connectivity blackout that effectively isolated Bangladesh from the rest of the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-19 |title=Bangladesh to impose curfew, deploy army as protests widen, communications disrupted |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/communications-disrupted-bangladesh-amid-student-protests-2024-07-19/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="Correspondent-2024b">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/social-media-limits-indefinitely-3662216%26ved%3D2ahUKEwjk3_GklsSHAxUA4zgGHYo2CtUQFnoECBQQAQ%26usg%3DAOvVaw0wK2wJiTBu-eaFkH8u_qwm |title=Social media off-limits indefinitely |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=26 July 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726094240/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/social-media-limits-indefinitely-3662216?amp |archive-date=26 July 2024 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Later, the government also blocked social media in Bangladesh. Government forces cordoned off parts of the capital city of Dhaka and conducted Block Raids, randomly picking up anyone they suspected having links to the protest, causing fear among the city residents.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-28 |title=Block raids unnerve city residents |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/block-raids-unnerve-city-residents-3663396 |access-date=2025-01-08 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> As of August 2, there were 215 confirmed deaths, more than 20,000 injuries,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-03 |title=2 killed in mass processions, clashes across country |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/nd2t409kax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803054157/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/nd2t409kax |archive-date=3 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="shohid.info">{{Cite web |script-title=bn:রক্তাক্ত জুলাই' মুক্তির মন্দির সোপানতলে... |url=https://shohid.info/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725103043/https://shohid.info/ |archive-date=25 July 2024 |access-date=25 July 2024 |website=shohid.info |language=bn}}</ref> and more than 11,000 arrests.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-31 |title=Nearly 3,000 arrested in Dhaka, 11,000 nationwide |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/nearly-3000-arrested-dhaka-11000-nationwide-907386 |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801045714/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/nearly-3000-arrested-dhaka-11000-nationwide-907386 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-07-23 |title=How Bangladesh student protests sparked broader crisis for Hasina government |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-bangladesh-student-protests-spark-broader-crisis-hasina-government |work=[[Middle East Eye]] |access-date=24 July 2024 |archive-date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724080241/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-bangladesh-student-protests-spark-broader-crisis-hasina-government |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh student protests: Why is the government facing public anger? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5xye1d285o |access-date=2024-07-20 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720202741/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5xye1d285o |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Alam |first=Shafiqul |title=Bangladesh Arrest Total Passes 2,500: AFP Tally |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/bangladesh-arrest-total-approaches-1-200-afp-tally-6d985abf |access-date=2024-07-24 |work=Barrons |language=en-US |archive-date=24 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724030432/https://www.barrons.com/news/bangladesh-arrest-total-approaches-1-200-afp-tally-6d985abf |url-status=live}}</ref> The unofficial death toll was between 300 and 500.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-31 |title=Bangladesh faces growing criticism for violent crackdown on students |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/bangladesh-faces-growing-criticism-for-violent-crackdown-on-students-/7723896.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801051212/https://www.voanews.com/a/bangladesh-faces-growing-criticism-for-violent-crackdown-on-students-/7723896.html |archive-date=1 August 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |publisher=[[Voice of America]] |language=en}}</ref> UNICEF reported that at least 32 children were killed during July's protests, with many more injured and detained.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=At least 32 children killed in Bangladesh violence |url=https://www.unicef.org/rosa/press-releases/least-32-children-killed-bangladesh-violence-0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802145822/https://www.unicef.org/rosa/press-releases/least-32-children-killed-bangladesh-violence-0 |archive-date=2024-08-02 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=[[UNICEF]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2024 |title=Bangladesh: Dozens of children killed in protests - Unicef |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16j6w1dxl1o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802183351/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c16j6w1dxl1o |archive-date=2 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Determining the exact number of deaths has been difficult because the government reportedly restricted hospitals from sharing information with the media without police permission, hospital CCTV footage was confiscated, and numerous individuals with gunshot wounds were buried without identification.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-29 |title=6,703 injured received treatment in 31 Dhaka hospitals |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/95y8qmme68 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803054158/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/95y8qmme68 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-07-25 |title=21 bodies buried as unclaimed |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/bb6vucjel7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726034644/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/bb6vucjel7 |archive-date=26 July 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=21 unclaimed bodies buried, all found bullet-ridden |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=482208 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023459/https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=482208 |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The Daily Observer}}</ref>

The [[Awami League]] government, led by Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] have suggested that political opponents have co-opted the protest.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Charlie |date=2024-07-25 |title=How Mass Protests Challenge Bangladesh's Past—and Threaten to Rewrite Its Future |url=https://time.com/7003130/bangladesh-student-protests-police-job-quota-hasina-awami-league-razakars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728014629/https://time.com/7003130/bangladesh-student-protests-police-job-quota-hasina-awami-league-razakars/ |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-27 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Is This the Beginning of the End of Sheikh Hasina's Rule? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-sheikh-hasinas-rule/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |magazine=The Diplomat |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite the curfew restrictions the movement remained [[One point movement|ongoing]] as it expanded its demands to include accountability for violence, a ban on the student wing of the government [[Bangladesh Chhatra League|Chhatra League]], and resignation of certain government officials,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alam |first=Shahidul |title=In Bangladesh, protests are no longer about the quota system |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/7/23/bangladesh-protests-are-no-longer-about-the-quota-system |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725122503/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/7/23/bangladesh-protests-are-no-longer-about-the-quota-system |archive-date=25 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-25 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> including the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-02 |title=Thousands protest in Bangladesh demanding PM Hasina's resignation |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thousands-protest-bangladesh-demanding-pm-hasinas-resignation-2024-08-02/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240802154401/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thousands-protest-bangladesh-demanding-pm-hasinas-resignation-2024-08-02/ |archive-date=2024-08-02 |access-date=2024-08-02 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> The government's use of widespread violence against the general public turned the student protest into a people's uprising known as the [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)|Non-Cooperation Movement]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-02 |title=Bangladesh student protests become 'people's uprising' after brutal crackdown |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272919/bangladesh-student-protests-become-peoples-uprising-after-brutal-government-crackdown |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804024017/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3272919/bangladesh-student-protests-become-peoples-uprising-after-brutal-government-crackdown |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-04 |title=One demand now |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/one-demand-now-3668981 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803193141/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/one-demand-now-3668981 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announces one-point demand |url=https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/anti-discrimination-student-movement-announces-one-point-demand/140255 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=UNB |archive-date=4 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804024011/https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/anti-discrimination-student-movement-announces-one-point-demand/140255 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Students renew Bangladesh protests, call for PM Hasina's resignation |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/students-renew-bangladesh-protests-call-for-nationwide-civil-disobedience |access-date=2024-08-03 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803161055/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/students-renew-bangladesh-protests-call-for-nationwide-civil-disobedience |url-status=live}}</ref>

===== Non-cooperation movement ===== {{Further|Non-cooperation movement (2024)}}The non-cooperation movement,{{efn|{{Langx|bn|অসহযোগ আন্দোলন|Ôsôhôjōg Āndōlôn}}}} also known as the one-point movement,{{efn|{{Langx|bn|এক দফা আন্দোলন|Ēk Dôphā Āndōlôn|links=no}}}} was a pro-democratic [[disinvestment]] movement and a mass uprising against the [[Awami League]]-led [[government of Bangladesh]], initiated within the framework of [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement]]. The sole demand of this movement was the resignation of [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] [[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Fifth Hasina ministry|her cabinet]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hasnat |first1=Saif |last2=Mashal |first2=Mujib |date=3 August 2024 |title=Roaring Back After Crackdown, Bangladesh Protesters Demand Leader's Ouster |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/world/asia/bangladesh-protests-students.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804074341/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/03/world/asia/bangladesh-protests-students.html |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="mz3Aug2024">{{Cite news |date=3 August 2024 |script-title=bn:শহীদ মিনার থেকে এক দফা ঘোষণা |url=https://mzamin.com/news.php?news=121182 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803124154/https://mzamin.com/news.php?news=121182 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=[[Manab Zamin]] |language=bn}}</ref> It was the final stage of the wider movement known as the [[July Revolution (Bangladesh)|July Revolution]]. Although the movement was initially limited to the goal of reforming [[Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service|quotas in government jobs]], it snowballed into a mass anti-government uprising after the [[July massacre|mass killings against civilians]]. The movement was also fueled by ongoing socio-economic and political issues, including the government's mismanagement of the national economy, rampant corruption by government officials, human rights violations, allegations of undermining the country's sovereignty by Sheikh Hasina, and increasing [[Criticism of Awami League|authoritarianism]] and [[Democratic backsliding in Bangladesh|democratic backsliding]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lu |first=Christina |date=2024-08-07 |title=What's Behind Bangladesh's Student Protests? |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/18/bangladesh-student-protests-quota-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023456/https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/18/bangladesh-student-protests-quota-system/ |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Redwan |last2=Ellis-Petersen |first2=Hannah |date=2024-07-26 |title=Bangladesh student protests turn into 'mass movement against a dictator' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/26/bangladesh-student-protests-mass-movement-against-dictator |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804023457/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/26/bangladesh-student-protests-mass-movement-against-dictator |archive-date=4 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-03 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 June 2024 |title=Sheikh Hasina doesn't sell the country, say prime minister |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/76mu2u1gmz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805130957/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/76mu2u1gmz |archive-date=5 August 2024 |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |language=en}}</ref>

On 3 August 2024, coordinators of the [[Students Against Discrimination]] announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister and her cabinet and called for "comprehensive non-cooperation".<ref name="mz3Aug2024" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=One Point Demand' announced from Central Shaheed Minar |url=https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/393604/%E2%80%98One-Point-Demand%E2%80%99-announced-from-Central-Shaheed-Minar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803133904/https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/393604/%E2%80%98One-Point-Demand%E2%80%99-announced-from-Central-Shaheed-Minar |archive-date=3 August 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024 |website=[[Bonik Barta]] |language=en}}</ref> The following day, violent clashes broke out, resulting in the deaths of 97 people, including students. The coordinators called for a long [[Civil disobedience|march]] to [[Dhaka]] to force Hasina out of power on 5 August. That day, a large crowd of protesters made its way through the capital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-05 |title=PM resigned, interim govt to be formed: Army chief |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/pm-resigned-interim-govt-be-formed-army-chief-3669966 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805105328/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/pm-resigned-interim-govt-be-formed-army-chief-3669966 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> At around 3:00&nbsp;p.m. ([[UTC+6]]), Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to [[India]], her government's biggest ally.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees country as protesters storm palace |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckdgg87lnkdt?post=asset%3Ae6e668c5-08e9-4000-b710-25d40a70f96a#post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805111329/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckdgg87lnkdt?post=asset:e6e668c5-08e9-4000-b710-25d40a70f96a#post |archive-date=5 August 2024 |access-date=5 August 2024 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Widespread celebrations and violence occurred following her removal, while the military and President [[Mohammed Shahabuddin]] announced the formation of an [[Yunus interim government|interim government]] led by economist and [[Nobel Prize|Nobel]] laureate [[Muhammad Yunus]].<ref name="apoath">{{cite news |date=7 August 2024 |title=Bangladesh's interim government will take oath on Thursday, says the military chief |url=https://apnews.com/article/hasina-bangladesh-opposition-khaleda-quota-fd7db94ba0a66a12f7b61de3a1bb6730 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807132521/https://apnews.com/article/hasina-bangladesh-opposition-khaleda-quota-fd7db94ba0a66a12f7b61de3a1bb6730 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=Associated Press News}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Mass media in India|Indian media]] outlets were seen engaging in a widespread disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising Bangladesh, following Hasina's resignation and departure to India.<ref name="Islamophobic">{{cite news |last1=Mahmud |first1=Faisal |last2=Sarker |first2=Saqib |title='Islamophobic, alarmist': How some India outlets covered Bangladesh crisis |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/8/islamophobic-alarmist-how-some-india-outlets-covered-bangladesh-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812172212/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/8/islamophobic-alarmist-how-some-india-outlets-covered-bangladesh-crisis |archive-date=12 August 2024 |access-date=9 August 2024 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="misinfo">{{cite news |date=11 August 2024 |title=বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা নিয়ে ভারতে অপতথ্যের প্রচার |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811194004/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |archive-date=11 August 2024 |access-date=11 August 2024 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}</ref>

== Protest movements by country == === Indonesia === {{Further|2025 Indonesian protests}}{{See also|2025 Pati demonstrations}} Indonesian media held some regard to 2025 protests as part of a larger Asian Spring primarily led by the youth (primarily from Generation Z)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=The Jakarta |title=Gen Z, climate justice and '#IndonesiaGelap' - Academia |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2025/02/27/gen-z-climate-justice-and-indonesiagelap.html |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=The Jakarta Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nur |first=Mochammad Fajar |title=Gen Z di Aksi Indonesia Gelap: Marah, Kritis, & Membawa Harapan |url=https://tirto.id/gen-z-di-aksi-indonesia-gelap-marah-kritis-membawa-harapan-g8ES |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=tirto.id |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Muthiariny |first=Dewi Elvia |date=2025-09-18 |title=Gen Z Protests in Asia: Can They Spark Real Change? |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/2050146/gen-z-protests-in-asia-can-they-spark-real-change |access-date=2025-09-23 |work=Tempo |language=id-ID}}</ref> and the student movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Setyaningrum |first=Puri Mei |date=10 September 2025 |title=Asia Spring: Deretan Demonstrasi di Negara Demokrasi |trans-title=Asian Spring: A Series of Demonstrations in Democratic Countries |url=https://olenka.id/asia-spring-deretan-demonstrasi-di-negara-demokrasi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorongan |first=Tommy Patrio |title=Apakah Demo RI-Nepal Bisa Buat 'Asian Spring' seperti 'Arab Spring'? |url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250912091247-4-666377/apakah-demo-ri-nepal-bisa-buat-asian-spring-seperti-arab-spring |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=CNBC Indonesia |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Basori |first=Lutfi Awaludin |date=2025-09-14 |title=Asia Spring 2025: Gen Z Revolution di Indonesia & Nepal |url=https://vichara.id/analisis/asia-spring-2025-gen-z-revolution-di-indonesia-nepal/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |language=id}}</ref> Indonesian pro-democracy and youth protestors often pinpoints the origins of the protest wave to the [[2025 Pati demonstrations]] as the "Start of the Revolution"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-21 |title=Mirip Arab Spring, Asia Spring Bermula dari Demo Pati, Jakarta hingga Nepal, Negara Berikutnya? |url=https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/7727435/mirip-arab-spring-asia-spring-bermula-dari-demo-pati-jakarta-hingga-nepal-negara-berikutnya |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Tribunnews.com |language=id-ID}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rama |date=2025-08-15 |title=Revolusi Dimulai dari Pati, Buat Apa? |url=https://gerakanpis.id/revolusi-dimulai-dari-pati-buat-apa/ |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Pergerakan Indonesia Untuk Semua |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizki |first=Riyad Dafhi |title=Revolusi Dimulai dari Pati: Bupati yang Arogan dan Pajak Mencekik Harus Dilawan dengan Keras {{!}} Zpeak Up! |url=https://radarbanjarmasin.jawapos.com/feature/1976441692/revolusi-dimulai-dari-pati-bupati-yang-arogan-dan-pajak-mencekik-harus-dilawan-dengan-keras-zpeak-up |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Radar Banjarmasin |language=id}}</ref> and as the larger impetus that led to the August 2025 protests. Whilst, the use of the [[Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger]] during mass protests first appeared during the time of the demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Penampakan Bendera One Piece di Demo Warga Pati Desak Bupati Sudewo Mundur |url=https://www.kompas.tv/nasional/612297/penampakan-bendera-one-piece-di-demo-warga-pati-desak-bupati-sudewo-mundur |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=Kompas.tv |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=A |first=Ali |title=Demo Pati Memanas, Bendera One Piece Berkibar di Tengah Ribuan Massa Tuntut Sudewo Mundur |url=https://portalpekalongan.pikiran-rakyat.com/jateng-diy/pr-1919569477/demo-pati-memanas-bendera-one-piece-berkibar-di-tengah-ribuan-massa-tuntut-sudewo-mundur |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=Portal Pekalongan |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Redaksi |date=2025-08-13 |title=Bendera One Piece Berkibar di Tengah Aksi Demo Warga Pati |url=https://wartanesia.id/bendera-one-piece-berkibar-di-tengah-aksi-demo-warga-pati/ |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=Wartanesia |language=id}}</ref>

On 10 August 2025, the demonstrations had held similar reasoning being to raise the [[Land tax|Rural and Urban Land]] and [[Property tax|Building Tax]] (Pajak Bumi dan Bangunan Perdesaan dan Perkotaan, or PBB-P2) by up to 250%, the first increase in 14 years.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Desak Bupati Mundur, Ini 5 Tuntutan Aksi Demo 13 Agustus 2025 di Pati |url=https://www.beritasatu.com/jateng/2913032/desak-bupati-mundur-ini-5-tuntutan-aksi-demo-13-agustus-2025-di-pati |access-date=2025-08-13 |work=BeritaSatu |language=id}}</ref> Local authorities argued this was a maximum cap and that many properties would see smaller hikes (some only 50%). However, residents feared the sharp tax rise would burden the community and protested that the policy was decided without sufficient public input.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |title=Polisi bubarkan aksi unjuk rasa di Pati |url=https://jatim.antaranews.com/berita/959909/polisi-bubarkan-aksi-unjuk-rasa-di-pati |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=ANTARA News Jawa Timur}}</ref> Public outcry later boiled when the regent of [[Pati Regency|Pati]] challenged dissenters to protest which was widely viewed as provocative and insensitive, reinforcing perceptions of an arrogant leadership amidst pressure of the tax hike.<ref name=":02"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rakyat Pati Tuntut Bupati Sudewo Mundur karena Sikapnya yang Arogan dan Tidak Pro-Rakyat |url=https://islam.nu.or.id/nasional/rakyat-pati-tuntut-bupati-sudewo-mundur-karena-sikapnya-yang-arogan-dan-tidak-pro-rakyat-AOt5q |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=NU Online |language=id-id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2025 |title=KPPOD: Bupati Pati Sudewo Tunjukkan Ketidakpekaan dan Arogansi |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/08/14/06513301/kppod-bupati-pati-sudewo-tunjukkan-ketidakpekaan-dan-arogansi |work=Kompas}}</ref> Whilst largely a plural farmer protest, social media advocated by the youth had largely drawn support from both locally and from [[netizen]]s across Indonesia. The protests itself was mainly led by youths, organizing and leading the protests, adopting [[One Piece]] monikers.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=VOI Today: Protests Pati Residents Heat Up! Thousands Of Residents Ask Regent Sudewo To Resign |url=https://voi.id/fr/berita/504258 |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan |language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sosok Ahmad Husein Koordinator Demo Pati Ramai Dijuluki Luffy di Medsos, Buntut Sudewo Naikkan PBB |url=https://sumsel.tribunnews.com/2025/08/13/sosok-ahmad-husein-koordinator-demo-pati-ramai-dijuluki-luffy-di-medsos-buntut-sudewo-naikkan-pbb |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Tribunsumsel.com |language=id-ID}}</ref> Indonesian political observers and academics noted early that similar sentiments against unpopular fiscal policies and politician behavior could spread beyond the region.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2025 |title=Kata Pengamat dan Akademisi Soal Demo Besar Warga Pati |url=https://www.tempo.co/politik/kata-pengamat-dan-akademisi-soal-demo-besar-warga-pati-2058733 |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=Tempo |language=id}}</ref>

==== August 2025 protests ==== {{Main|August 2025 Indonesian protests}}

[[File:Student_Protest_in_Jakarta,_August_29th,_2025.jpg|thumb|Students surround the [[Indonesian National Police]] headquarters in Jakarta amidst police brutality and frustrations, 29 August 2025]]

Two weeks after the Pati demonstration, on 25 August 2025, protests began in [[Indonesia]] as part of a larger civil unrest that began in early 2025 over economic frustrations and a proposed hike in [[Subsidized housing|housing subsidies]] for members of [[People's Consultative Assembly|parliament]]. Protesters initially demanded the [[House of Representatives (Indonesia)|House of Representatives]] to revoke its subsidy schemes and penalize lawmakers who made insensitive statements, as well as to pass the Confiscation of Assets Act for lawmakers convicted of corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naufal |first=Ibnu |date=31 August 2025 |title=Viral 11 Tuntutan Rakyat untuk DPR: Dari RUU Perampasan Aset hingga Reformasi Polri |url=https://www.inilah.com/viral-11-tuntutan-rakyat-untuk-dpr-dari-ruu-perampasan-aset-hingga-reformasi-polri |website=Inilah.com}}</ref> The protests erupted over a proposed {{IDR|50 million}} ({{USD|3,057}}) monthly housing allowance for parliament members, ten times Jakarta's minimum wage—one of the highest in Indonesia. Combined with existing food and transportation stipends, the allowance sparked public outrage amid rising food and education costs, mass layoffs, and property tax hikes due to central funding cuts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strangio |first=Sebastian |date=29 August 2025 |title=Indonesian Protesters Clash With Police During Demonstrations Over Parliamentary Perks |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/indonesian-protesters-clash-with-police-during-demonstrations-over-parliamentary-perks/ |access-date=29 August 2025 |work=The Diplomat |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Karmini |first1=Niniek |last2=Ibrahim |first2=Achmad |date=29 August 2025 |title=Tensions soar across Indonesia as protests against police erupt in multiple cities |url=https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-students-protests-2b4ad65b836a3b38b6a037b2f45cb309 |access-date=29 August 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Student-led protesters expanded their demands to include total reform of the [[Indonesian National Police]] and resignation of the chief of police, [[Listyo Sigit Prabowo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koesmawardhani |first=Nograhany Widhi |title=BEM SI dan BEM SI Kerakyatan Demo Hari Ini, Ini Tuntutannya |url=https://www.detik.com/edu/perguruan-tinggi/d-8085268/bem-si-dan-bem-si-kerakyatan-demo-hari-ini-ini-tuntutannya |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=detikedu |language=id-ID}}</ref> The protests, which were largely concentrated around the capital [[Jakarta]],<ref name="paused">{{Cite web |last=Magramo |first=Kathleen |date=2025-09-01 |title=Indonesia's deadly protests paused but deep resentment remains. Here's what to know |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/01/asia/indonesia-protests-explainer-intl-hnk |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lamb |first=Kate |date=2025-08-26 |title=Protests erupt in Indonesia over privileges for parliament members and 'corrupt elites' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/26/indonesia-protests-austerity-parliament-member-privileges |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Indonesian leader pledges to revoke lawmakers' perks after protests leave 6 dead |url=https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-protests-subianto-privileges-32d253883d107fcfe7f17752bc46b7d9 |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> grew in intensity and spread nationwide following the killing of Affan Kurniawan, a [[motorcycle taxi]] driver who was run over by a [[Mobile Brigade Corps|Brimob]] tactical vehicle on 28 August during a larger violent crackdown on civil dissent.<ref name="paused" /> In several cities such as [[Makassar]] and [[Surabaya]], multiple government buildings were torched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Situasi Memanas Semalam di Makassar: Gedung DPRD Terbakar, 3 Orang Tewas |url=https://news.detik.com/berita/d-8087487/situasi-memanas-semalam-di-makassar-gedung-dprd-terbakar-3-orang-tewas |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=detiknews |language=id-ID}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kondisi Terbaru Gedung Grahadi Surabaya usai Hangus Dibakar Massa, Jadi Tontonan Warga: Kecewa |url=https://jatim.tribunnews.com/jatim/514675/kondisi-terbaru-gedung-grahadi-surabaya-usai-hangus-dibakar-massa-jadi-tontonan-warga-kecewa |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=Tribun Jatim |language=id-ID}}</ref> Houses associated with or belonging to members of parliament were also looted and robbed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2025 |title=Deretan Rumah Anggota DPR Hingga Menteri Dijarah Massa |url=https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250831084911-7-662930/deretan-rumah-anggota-dpr-hingga-menteri-dijarah-massa |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=CNBC Indonesia |language=id}}</ref>

A BBC Indonesia report estimated that [[House of Representatives (Indonesia)|House of Representatives]] (DPR) members earn over {{IDR|100 million}} ({{USD|6,062}}) monthly, including a {{IDR|50 million}} housing allowance, salaries, and other stipends.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2025 |title=Gaji dan tunjangan anggota DPR lebih Rp100 juta per bulan – 'Tidak patut saat masyarakat kesulitan ekonomi' |url=https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/articles/cqle4p2gdnzo |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=BBC News Indonesia |language=id}}</ref> The [[Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency]] (FITRA) [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] claims the BBC overlooked DPR members' take-home pay, reaching {{IDR|230 million}} ({{USD|13,942.60}}) monthly or {{IDR|2.8 billion}} ({{USD|169,736}}) annually, per the 2023–2025 DPR Budget Implementation List (DIPA). The budget for 580 DPR members' salaries and allowances is set to hit {{IDR|1.6 trillion}} in 2025, up from {{IDR|1.2 trillion}} in 2023 and {{IDR|1.8 trillion}} in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muthiariny |first=Dewi Elvia |date=25 August 2025 |title=DPR Members' Monthly Earnings Could Reach Rp230 Million, Says Fitra |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/2042830/dpr-members-monthly-earnings-could-reach-rp230-million-says-fitra |access-date=31 August 2025 |website=Tempo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nugroho |first1=Rizal Setyo |date=26 August 2025 |title=Bukan Rp 100 Juta, Penghasilan Anggota DPR Tembus Rp 230 Juta Sebulan |url=https://www.kompas.com/banten/read/2025/08/26/071500588/bukan-rp-100-juta-penghasilan-anggota-dpr-tembus-rp-230-juta-sebulan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826155827/https://www.kompas.com/banten/read/2025/08/26/071500588/bukan-rp-100-juta-penghasilan-anggota-dpr-tembus-rp-230-juta-sebulan |archive-date=26 August 2025 |access-date=31 August 2025 |work=KOMPAS |language=id}}</ref> However, [[Mahfud MD]], former Chief Justice of the [[Constitutional Court of Indonesia]] and [[Ministry of Law and Human Rights|Minister of Law and Human Rights]], contradicted the claim that DPR members' salaries would not reach {{IDR|250 million}} per month, asserting instead that their total earnings could amount to billions of rupiah each month.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dirgantara |first=Adhyasta |date=28 August 2025 |title=Mahfud Dengar Gaji Anggota DPR Capai Miliaran Per Bulan, Bukan Rp 230 Juta |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/08/28/12495981/mahfud-dengar-gaji-anggota-dpr-capai-miliaran-per-bulan-bukan-rp-230-juta |work=Kompas |language=id}}</ref>

Adding to the growing outrage in the general public were remarks made by certain members of parliament, which were seen as insensitive and tone deaf to the struggles of ordinary Indonesians. [[NasDem Party]] parliament member [[Nafa Urbach]] supported the allowance hike, stating that members of the House of Representatives experienced commuting difficulties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2025 |title=Ironi Nafa Urbach: Ngeluh Macet dan Dukung Tunjangan DPR Rp50 Juta, Isi Garasinya Bikin Melongo |url=https://www.suara.com/otomotif/2025/08/22/165750/ironi-nafa-urbach-ngeluh-macet-dan-dukung-tunjangan-dpr-rp50-juta-isi-garasinya-bikin-melongo |access-date=30 August 2025 |website=suara |language=id}}</ref> She later apologized on social media following public backlash over her statement and pledged her allowance to be given to her constituency.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ashilah |first1=Tsabitah |date=27 August 2025 |title=Nafa Urbach Janjikan Gaji dan Tunjangan DPR-nya Diberikan Kepada Warga Dapilnya |url=https://www.liputan6.com/showbiz/read/6143560/nafa-urbach-janjikan-gaji-dan-tunjangan-dpr-nya-diberikan-kepada-warga-dapilnya |access-date=30 August 2025 |work=Liputan6 |language=id}}</ref> [[Ahmad Sahroni]], deputy chairman of the House of Representative's third commission, described those calling for the dissolution of the parliament as "the dumbest people in the world" and later defended his comments. [[National Mandate Party]] parliament member [[Eko Patrio]] posted a parody video, which was viewed as mocking public concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sutrisna |first1=Tria |last2=Belarminus |first2=Robertus |date=26 August 2025 |title=Tingkah Laku dan Pernyataan Anggota DPR yang Buat Rakyat Marah… |trans-title=Behavior and Statements of DPR Members That Made the People Angry… |url=https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/08/26/09004551/tingkah-laku-dan-pernyataan-anggota-dpr-yang-buat-rakyat-marah?page=all |access-date=29 August 2025 |work=Kompas |language=id}}</ref> By the end of the august wave on September 9,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=BEM UI Akan Demo di DPR Hari ini, Bawa Seruan Rakyat Tagih Janji |url=https://www.tempo.co/politik/bem-ui-akan-demo-di-dpr-hari-ini-bawa-seruan-rakyat-tagih-janji-2067939 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Tempo |language=id}}</ref> the protests had led to the suspension of 5 MPs, the rescindment of lawmakers' perks,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Daftar 7 Fraksi Setuju Evaluasi Tunjangan DPR RI |url=https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250831091348-32-1268401/daftar-7-fraksi-setuju-evaluasi-tunjangan-dpr-ri? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250904111347/https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250831091348-32-1268401/daftar-7-fraksi-setuju-evaluasi-tunjangan-dpr-ri? |archive-date=2025-09-04 |access-date=2025-10-21 |work=nasional |language=id-ID}}</ref> and a mass government reshuffle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=The Jakarta |title=President reshuffles cabinet after weeklong protest, replacing Sri Mulyani - Politics |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/09/08/president-reshuffles-cabinet-after-weeklong-protest-replacing-sri-mulyani.html |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=The Jakarta Post |language=en}}</ref> The protests had left 8 deaths, 8 missing, and thousands arrested.

=== Nepal === {{Further|2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests}} [[File:GenZ protest against government in chitwan(3), 8 september 2025.jpg|thumb|Picket signs during protests in Nepal, 8 September 2025]] On 8 September 2025, large-scale anti-corruption protests and demonstrations took place across [[Nepal]], predominantly organized by Generation Z students and the youth.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 September 2025 |title=Why GenZ has taken over the streets in Nepal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkj0lzlr3ro |access-date=10 September 2025 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Also known as "the Gen Z protests",{{efn|{{langx|ne|जेन-जे विरोध|Jēn-jē virōdha}}}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=8 September 2025 |title=Gen Z protest in Kathmandu against corruption and ban on social media platforms |url=https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2025/09/08/gen-z-protest-in-kathmandu-against-corruption-and-social-media-ban |access-date=8 September 2025 |work=[[The Kathmandu Post]] |language=en}}</ref> they began following a nationwide ban on numerous social media platforms, and they incorporated the public's frustration with [[Corruption in Nepal|corruption]] and display of wealth by [[Government of Nepal|government]] officials and their families, as well as allegations of mismanagement of public funds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title=A year of corruption |url=https://www.recordnepal.com/a-year-of-corruption |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115155719/https://www.recordnepal.com/a-year-of-corruption |archive-date=15 November 2021 |access-date=7 September 2025 |website=The Record |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2025 |title=Nepal Gen Z Protests Live: Kathmandu streets wear deserted look, forces on alert after day-long protests |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/nepal-gen-z-protest-live-updates-curfew-in-kathmandu-oli-government-in-emergency-huddle-security-forces-use-tear-gas-2783755-2025-09-08 |access-date=8 September 2025 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref> The movement expanded to encompass broader issues of governance, transparency, and political accountability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2025 |title=Gen Z youths stage protest at Maitighar against corruption, social media ban |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/gen-z-youths-stage-protest-at-maitighar-against-corruption-social-media-ban |access-date=9 September 2025 |website=[[The Himalayan Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="apnews1">{{Cite web |last=Gurubacharya |first=Binaj |date=4 September 2025 |title=Nepal blocks Facebook, X, YouTube and others for failing to register with the government |url=https://apnews.com/article/nepal-ban-social-media-platform-3b42bbbd07bc9b97acb4df09d42029d5 |access-date=4 September 2025 |website=[[AP News]] |language=en}}</ref> The protests escalated with violence against public officials and vandalism of government and political buildings taking place throughout the country.

On 9{{nbsp}}September 2025, former King [[Gyanendra Shah]] called for calm and resolution be found internally.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen-Z protest should remain peaceful, solutions must come from within: Former King Gyanendra |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2025/09/495313/ |accessdate=15 September 2025}}</ref> On that same day, Prime Minister [[K. P. Sharma Oli]], along with a few government ministers, resigned, and on 12{{nbsp}}September, [[Sushila Karki]] was appointed as interim [[Prime Minister of Nepal]]. The protests had died down by 13{{nbsp}}September.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 September 2025 |title=Nepal calm as first female prime minister takes charge after deadly protests |url=https://www.icirnigeria.org/nepal-calm-as-first-female-prime-minister-takes-charge-after-deadly-protests/ |work=icirnigeria.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 September 2025 |title= |script-title=hi:सुशीला कार्की नेपाल की अंतरिम प्रधानमंत्री बनीं, भारत से है पुराना नाता |trans-title=Sushila Karki became the interim Prime Minister of Nepal, has an old relationship with India |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/ckgqyq7q4geo |access-date=13 September 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=hi}}</ref>

==== Background ==== On 4 September 2025, the [[Government of Nepal]] ordered the shutdown of 26 social media platforms, including [[Facebook]], [[Twitter|X]], [[YouTube]], [[LinkedIn]], [[Reddit]], [[Signal (software)|Signal]], and [[Snapchat]], for failing to register under the [[Ministry of Information and Communications (Nepal)|Ministry of Communication and Information Technology]]'s new rules.<ref name="apnews1"/> The registration requirement had been motivated in part as a way to enable the enforcement of a new Digital Services Tax and stricter [[value-added tax]] rules on foreign e-service providers in an effort to boost revenue.<ref name="peoplesdispatch">{{cite web |last1=Chandra |first1=Atul |last2=Pokharel |first2=Pramesh |title=Nepal's Gen-Z uprising is about jobs, dignity – and a broken development model |url=https://peoplesdispatch.org/2025/09/09/nepals-gen-z-uprising-is-about-jobs-dignity-and-a-broken-development-model/ |access-date=10 September 2025 |website=People's Dispatch |date=9 September 2025 }}</ref> However, critics alleged the shutdown was prompted by a [[List of Internet phenomena#Politics|social media trend]] highlighting [[nepotism]], focusing on the undue privileges enjoyed by the children and relatives of influential political leaders.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2025 |title=A "Nepo Kid" Trend Amid Gen Z-Led Protests Against Nepal's Social Media Ban |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepo-kid-trends-amid-gen-z-led-protests-against-nepals-social-media-ban-9240003 |access-date=8 September 2025 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

The significance of the media platform ban tied into Nepalese [[political economy]]. 33% of Nepalese GDP comes from remittances with hundreds of thousands of exit permits being issued, alongside 20% youth unemployment mean that these remittances keep households afloat and pay import bills, but also indicate a lack of structural transformation in the domestic economy toward an employment-first model, pushing the youth into work in online spaces.<ref name="peoplesdispatch" /> Banning social media thus threatened youth livelihood.

Prior to the protests, the average Nepali made {{USD|1,400}} per year, while families of the country's ruling elite displayed their wealth on social media.<ref name="AlJa">{{cite news |last1=Kharel |first1=Samik |title='Topple this government': Nepal's Gen Z protesters demand mass resignations |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/9/9/we-want-mass-resignations-nepals-gen-z-anger-explodes-after-19-killed |access-date=9 September 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> This "Nepo Kid" trend prompted significant public anger.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Latif |first=Aamir |date=8 September 2025 |title=Army called in to quell violent protests in Nepal after clashes over social media ban leave 19 dead |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/army-called-in-to-quell-violent-protests-in-nepal-after-clashes-over-social-media-ban-leave-19-dead/3681127 |access-date=8 September 2025 |work=[[Anadolu Agency]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Saikat Kumar |date=9 September 2025 |title=Why Nepal Banned Social Media, And Why That's Not Only Trigger For Protests |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nepal-protests-why-nepal-banned-social-media-and-why-thats-not-only-trigger-for-protests-9236802 |access-date=9 September 2025 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> The median age of Nepal's population is 25. Due to this, as well as the country's largely rural, rough terrain and substantial migration abroad, Nepal has some of the highest social media usage in South Asia, with nearly one account for every two people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Gavin |date=9 September 2025 |title=Social media is a big part of Nepali life |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c741n80ndlxt?post=asset%3Ade42d66f-de59-4376-b21e-7b7917e29f8b#post |website=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Timor-Leste === {{Further|2025 Timor-Leste protests}} [[File:MPL08030.jpg|thumb|Timorense youth rally to protest in [[Dili|DIli]], 17 September 2025]] On 15 September 2025, following the success of the Indonesian and the Nepalese Gen Z protests,<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rachman |first=Joseph |date=2025-11-12 |title=Timor-Leste's Protests Fit Into a Regional Trend |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/23/timor-leste-gen-z-protests-regional-trend/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> student-led protests were held in [[Dili]], the capital of [[Timor-Leste]], against the [[National Parliament of Timor-Leste|National Parliament]]'s decision to purchase SUVs for legislators at a cost of [[United States dollar|US$]]4 million. The demonstrators' demands soon expanded to calling for the cancellation of lifetime pensions for former MPs. After three days of demonstrations, student leaders and parliament reached an agreement, ending the protests.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 September 2025 |title=East Timor axes plan to buy SUVs for MPs |url=https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2025/09/1276550/east-timor-axes-plan-buy-suvs-mps |website=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref>

On 15 September 2025, more than 1,000 people, mostly university students from Dili, gathered in front of parliament to demonstrate.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 September 2025 |title=Timor-Leste: Students Protest Planned Purchase of Cars for Parliament Members |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/2049292/timor-leste-students-protest-planned-purchase-of-cars-for-parliament-members# |website=[[Tempo (Indonesian magazine)|Tempo]]}}</ref> Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring four people, after some protestors threw stones towards the parliament building.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 September 2025 |title=Timor Leste police fire tear gas on second day of car purchase protests |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/09/16/timor-leste-police-fire-tear-gas-on-second-day-of-car-purchase-protests |website=The Star}}</ref> Later that day, three parties within the ruling coalition of the [[National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction]] (CNRT), the [[Democratic Party (Timor-Leste)|Democratic Party]] (PD), and [[Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan]] (KHUNTO), announced that they would ask parliament to cancel the purchase of cars for MPs.

More than 2,000 demonstrators returned to the streets the following day, with their demands expanding to call for the cancellation of the lifetime pensions provided to former lawmakers.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2025 |title=Timor-Leste protesters vow to continue rallying until plan to buy MPs 65 cars is overturned |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-17/timor-leste-protests-over-mp-car-plan-grow/105781726 |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> Later that day, parliament voted unanimously to cancel the plan to purchase new cars. On September 17, a third day of demonstrations concluded with an agreement between protest leaders and parliament that the pensions for former MPs would be canceled and, in return, the demonstrations would conclude.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Koh Ewe |author2=Kelly Ng |date=17 September 2025 |title=Timor-Leste scraps plan to buy MPs free cars after protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4ry7vpkdeo |access-date=25 September 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Philippines === {{Main|Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines}}

[[File:Baha_sa_Luneta_protests_-_CAA_30.jpg|thumb|Filipino protester in [[Squid Game]] cosplay holding a picket sign showing divide between protestors and the political elite.]] Since 2024, a series of allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities in government-funded [[flood management]] projects have been occurring in the [[Philippines]] under the [[Presidency of Bongbong Marcos|administration]] of [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Bongbong Marcos]]. The controversy centers on billions of [[Philippine peso|pesos]] allocated for flood management initiatives, reports of [["ghost" project]]s,{{efn|The [[Bureau of Internal Revenue]] (BIR) defines '''"ghost" projects''' as government infrastructure projects that are reported in government documents as "completed" and "fully paid," but never actually constructed.<ref>{{cite web |author1=[[Bureau of Internal Revenue]] |title=Lumagui: BIR to Conduct Tax Fraud Audit on Anomalous Flood Control Contractors |url=https://pia.gov.ph/lumagui-bir-to-conduct-tax-fraud-audit-on-anomalous-flood-control-contractors/ |website=[[Philippine Information Agency]] |access-date=September 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901064731/https://pia.gov.ph/lumagui-bir-to-conduct-tax-fraud-audit-on-anomalous-flood-control-contractors/ |archive-date=September 1, 2025 |date=August 29, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>|name=ghost}} substandard construction, and the alleged cornering of contracts by a small group of favored contractors. Reports of anomalies in [[Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines|flood control projects]], including incomplete or substandard work and alleged [[ghost project]]s, prompted widespread criticism of the government.<ref name="abc2" /> Public discontent grew amid calls for transparency and accountability in infrastructure spending.

Previously, the Filipino government has been monitoring the widespread unrest in neighboring Indonesia with caution and concern. Officials explicitly voiced their wish to avoid a similar escalation at home, urging restraint and dialogue rather than mass street mobilization.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabato |first=Luisa |date=2025-09-04 |title=PH must avoid Indonesia-like protests over flood projects — Palace |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2104620/ph-must-avoid-indonesia-like-protests-over-flood-projects-palace |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref> However, coinciding with the height of the regional youth protest wave that swept across South and Southeast Asia in September 2025, the movement emboldened political sentiment among disillusioned Filipino youth.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-09-26 |title=Asia's Protest Wave Sweeps Over the Philippines |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-09-26/asia-s-protest-wave-sweeps-over-the-philippines |access-date=2025-10-21 |work=Bloomberg |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=2025-09-21 |title=Protesters flood streets of Philippines over state corruption |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/21/protests-philippines-corruption-state-flood |access-date=2025-10-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=CMFR |date=2025-09-25 |title=Protests in the Philippines: Nepal and Indonesia's Uprisings Linked to a Philippine Legacy |url=https://cmfr-phil.org/in-context/protests-in-the-philippines-nepal-and-indonesias-uprisings-linked-to-a-philippine-legacy/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=CMFR |language=en}}</ref> As Indonesian protests around late August and early September gained momentum over corruption and parliamentary perks and frustrations over corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities were fanned by [[Catholic Church in the Philippines|Catholic church]] leaders, business executives and retired generals, President [[Bongbong Marcos|Bongbong Marcos Jr.]] recalibrated and publicly backed anti-corruption outrage under the urgency of peaceful protest. The Filipino government later touted institutional remedies (an independent probe into flood-control graft, audits, and cancellations of suspect projects) as the path forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gomez |first=Jim |date=2025-09-15 |title=Philippine president supports public outrage over corruption but says protests should be peaceful |url=https://apnews.com/article/flood-control-corruption-ferdinand-marcos-jr-philippines-d1fa9c2309d6abb42c636d0699fc46af |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

The date of the rally, on September 21, coincides with the anniversary of the official date{{efn|The actual announcement was on September 23, 1972, but [[Proclamation No. 1081]] was officially dated by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to have been signed on September 21, 1972.<ref name="MLRappler">{{Cite news |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/146939-martial-law-explainer-victims-stories/ |title=Martial Law, the dark chapter in Philippine history |last=Francisco |first=Katerina |date=September 22, 2016 |work=Rappler |access-date=September 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923155126/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/146939-martial-law-explainer-victims-stories |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |url-status=live |language=en }}</ref><ref name="OfficialGazetteFall">{{Cite web |url=http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-the-dictatorship/ |title=The Fall of the Dictatorship |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903153904/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/the-fall-of-the-dictatorship/ |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 20, 2025}}</ref>}} of the [[Proclamation No. 1081|declaration]] of [[Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos|martial law]] by President [[Ferdinand Marcos|Ferdinand Marcos Sr.]] in 1972, a symbolic choice for groups emphasizing democratic rights and government accountability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salcedo |first=Mary Joy |date=2025-09-12 |title=Church leaders set 'A Trillion Peso March' on Edsa Sept. 21 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2108402/church-leaders-set-a-trillion-peso-march-on-edsa-sept-21 |access-date=2025-09-15 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |language=en}}</ref>

==== 2025 protests ==== {{Further|2025 Philippine anti-corruption protests{{!}}2025 protests}} The 2025 protests are a series of widespread protests in the [[Philippines]], mainly to be held at [[Rizal Park]] in [[Manila]] and at the [[People Power Monument]] along [[EDSA]] in [[Quezon City]], both within [[Metro Manila]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sampang |first1=Dianne |date=15 September 2025 |title=Sept. 21 rallies against corruption set on two Metro Manila locations |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2109394/sept-21-rallies-against-corruption-set-on-two-metro-manila-locations |access-date=18 September 2025 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]}}</ref> It involves several anti-corruption protests stemming from the investigation of government corruption in flood control programs, involving both executive and legislative branches of the Philippine government. The date coincides with the 53rd anniversary of [[Proclamation No. 1081|the declaration]] of [[Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos|martial law in the Philippines]]. Several cities and municipalities in different provinces have also held their own protests within their locality.

The protests in Rizal Park are organized by various sectoral groups, including activists and students, while the protest at the People Power Monument is known as the "[[Trillion Peso March]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Esmaquel |first=Paterno II |date=2025-09-12 |title=Luneta, People Power Monument rallies set for September 21 |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luneta-people-power-monument-protests-september-21-2025/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=[[Rappler]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Organized by church groups, mainly the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Protestantism in the Philippines|Protestant churches]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chi |first1=Cristina |date=15 September 2025 |title=What to know: September 21 anti-corruption rallies at Luneta, EDSA |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/09/15/2473004/what-know-september-21-anti-corruption-rallies-luneta-edsa |access-date=18 September 2025 |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]}}</ref> civil society organizations, labor unions, and political coalitions, the protests respond to [[Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines|alleged corruption in government flood control infrastructure projects]].<ref name="gma12">{{cite news |date=September 12, 2025 |title=September 21 rally set at EDSA, Luneta |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/959168/september-21-rally-edsa-luneta/story/ |access-date=September 15, 2025 |work=[[GMA News]]}}</ref><ref name="abc2">{{cite news |date=September 13, 2025 |title=Philippine president supports public outrage over corruption, protests to be peaceful |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/philippine-president-supports-public-outrage-corruption-protests-peaceful-125575899 |access-date=September 15, 2025 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> According to reports, the demonstrations focus on allegations of massive irregularities in [[Flood management|flood control programs]], with some [[Philippine peso sign|₱]]1.9 trillion ([[United States dollar|US$]]33 billion) spent over the past 15 years, more than half of which was allegedly lost to corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malasig |first=Jeline |date=2025-09-15 |title=Protester checklist for Sept. 21 anti-corruption march, according to Bayaw |url=https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2025/09/15/302180/bayaw-checklist-september-21-protesters/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=[[Interaksyon]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Maldives=== {{main|2025 Maldivian protests}}

{{Excerpt|2025 Maldivian protests|Background|paragraphs=2}}{{Excerpt|2025 Maldivian protests|Events|paragraphs=}}

==Gen Z protests status== <!-- Only include protests here which have been explicitly described as Gen Z protests. -->

{{clear}} [[File:Gen Z protests map.png|thumb|{{Legend|#ffd800|Ongoing protests}}{{Legend|#309700|Successful protests, government overthrown or changed}}{{Legend|#0094ff|Successful protests, government applied the desired reform}} {{Legend|#ff6a00|Countries where protests are in a new phase of development following the failure of the previous one(s)}}{{Legend|#000000|Failed protests}}|center|750x750px]]

=== Ended ===

{{sticky header}} {|class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="font-size: 95%" |- !scope="col" style="width:5%;"|Country !scope="col" style="width:12%;" class="unsortable"|Duration !scope="col" style="width:15%;" class="unsortable"|Cause(s) !scope="col" style="width:20%;" class="unsortable"|Results !scope="col" style="width:10%;" class="unsortable"|Outcome !scope="col" style="width:1%;" class="unsortable"|Ref. |- ! colspan="6" style="text-align: center;" |2020 |- |{{Flag|Thailand}} |'''[[2020–2021 Thai protests]]'''<br>23 February 2020 – December 2021 | * Human rights abuses * [[Corruption in Thailand|Political corruption scandals]] * Distrust in the [[2019 Thai general election|2019 general election]] * Democratic and economic regression since [[2014 Thai coup d'état]] * Expansion of [[royal prerogative]] and ''[[Lèse majesté in Thailand|lèse majesté]]'' |'''Failed''' * "Severe" [[state of emergency]] declared in Bangkok from 15 to 22 October 2020 * Protesters' demands, including calls for constitutional amendment, failed. * street protests largely died down * Thai government build unelected house of lords * Constitutional Court rules that proposing reform of the monarchy is unconstitutional and amounts to acting to overthrow it !style="color:#fff; background:#d64400;"|[[2020–2021 Thai protests|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Major protests</span>]] |<ref name=":20">{{Cite journal |last=McCargo |first=Duncan |date=3 April 2021 |title=Disruptors' dilemma? Thailand's 2020 Gen Z protests |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2021.1876522 |journal=[[Critical Asian Studies]] |volume=53 |issue=2 |pages=175–191 |doi=10.1080/14672715.2021.1876522 |issn=1467-2715|url-access=subscription }}</ref> |- ! colspan=6 style="text-align:center" | 2022 |- |{{Flag|Sri Lanka}} |'''[[Aragalaya]]'''<br>15 March – 14 November 2022 | * [[Corruption in Sri Lanka|Corruption]] * [[Sri Lankan economic crisis (2019–2024)|Economic decline]] * [[Nepotism]] * Unpopularity of the [[Rajapaksa family]] |'''Successful''' * [[Mahinda Rajapaksa#Third premiership (2019–2022)|Resignation of prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa]] * [[Exile of Gotabaya Rajapaksa|Resignation of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] * Resignation of the [[Second Gotabaya Rajapaksa cabinet]] * [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] appointed prime minister and later president ! style="color:#fff; background:#00112b;"|[[Aragalaya|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Government overthrown</span>]] | |- |{{Flag decoration|Iran}} [[Iran]] |'''[[Mahsa Amini protests]]'''<br>16 September 2022 – 2023 | * [[Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran]] * [[Death of Mahsa Amini]] |'''Failed''' * Hundreds of people killed and tens of thousands beaten and/or detained in government crackdown !style="color:#fff; background:#d64400;"|[[Mahsa Amini protests|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Major protests</span>]] |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dagres |first=Holly |date=10 October 2025 |title=From Discord to the Streets: Gen Z's Moment in the Middle East |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/discord-streets-gen-zs-moment-middle-east |access-date=21 October 2025 |work=[[The Washington Institute for Near East Policy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010145046/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/discord-streets-gen-zs-moment-middle-east |archive-date=10 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2022 |title=Iran protests: Iran's Gen Z 'realise life can be lived differently' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63213745 |access-date=21 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014003256/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63213745 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran's rising Generation Z at the forefront of protests |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/irans-rising-generation-z-forefront-protests |access-date=21 October 2025 |website=Middle East Institute |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005174048/https://www.mei.edu/publications/irans-rising-generation-z-forefront-protests |archive-date=5 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Bangladesh}} |'''[[July uprising]]'''<br>1 July – 5 August 2024 | * [[Democratic backsliding in Bangladesh|Authoritarianism]] and [[Human rights in Bangladesh|human rights abuse]] * [[Economy of Bangladesh#Economic depression (2022–present)|Economic depression]] * [[2024 Bangladesh quota reform case|Retainment]] of the [[Quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service|controversial job quota system]] * [[July massacre]] |'''Successful''' * Prime minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] [[Resignation of Sheikh Hasina|resigned]] and left the country * [[2024 Bangladesh constitutional crisis]] * Creation of [[interim government of Muhammad Yunus]] ! style="color:#fff; background:#00112b;"|[[July Revolution (Bangladesh)|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Government overthrown</span>]] | |- ! colspan=6 style="text-align:center" | 2025 |- |{{Flag|Mongolia}} |'''[[2025 Mongolian protests]]'''<br>14 May – 3 June 2025 | * [[Corruption in Mongolia|Corruption]] * Unpopularity of prime minister [[Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene]] |'''Successful''' * [[Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene#2025 protests and resignation|Resignation of prime minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene]] * New [[coalition government]] established by the ruling [[Mongolian People's Party|MPP]] !style="color:#fff; background:#008080;"|[[2025 Mongolian protests|<span style="display:none;">C</span> <span style="color:white;">Protests and governmental changes</span>]] |<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2025 |title=Gen Z anger at ruling elites is erupting across the world |url=https://www.luxtimes.lu/world/gen-z-anger-at-ruling-elites-is-erupting-across-the-world/95115603.html |access-date=4 October 2025 |work=[[The Luxembourg Times]] |language=en |issn=0585-3923 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029024713/https://www.straitstimes.com/world/gen-z-anger-at-ruling-elites-is-erupting-across-the-world |archive-date=29 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiezzi |first=Shannon |date=3 June 2025 |title=Mongolia's Prime Minister Loses No-Confidence Vote After Lengthy Protests |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/mongolias-prime-minister-loses-no-confidence-vote-after-lengthy-protests/ |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=The Diplomat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250604053455/https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/mongolias-prime-minister-loses-no-confidence-vote-after-lengthy-protests/ |archive-date=4 June 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Malaysia}} |'''[[2025 Oust Anwar rally|Oust Anwar protests]]'''<br>26 July 2025 | *Public dissatisfaction with the government under the leadership of prime minister [[Anwar Ibrahim]] *Increasing prices of goods *High cost of living *Implementation of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) *Increasing prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) *Abolition of subsidies *Failure to carry out reforms *Implementation of Sales and Services and Tax (SST) *Political intimidation |'''Successful''' *Reduction of petrol price *Distribution of 15 billion ringgit (US$3.55 billion) of cash handout *Freezing of the plan to raise toll price *Reinstatement of Prime Minister [[Anwar Ibrahim]] and cabinet reshuffle !style="color:#fff; background:#008080;"|[[2025 Oust Anwar rally|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color: white;">Protests and governmental changes</span>]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rakotonirina |first=Heijmans |date=25 December 2025 |title=Gen-Z Revolts Against "Dystopian Future" as Protests Sweep the Globe|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-gen-z-protest-worldwide/|access-date=2025-12-25 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref> |- |{{Flag|Nepal}} |'''[[2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests|2025 Nepalese Gen Z revolution]]'''<br>8–13 September 2025 | * [[Corruption in Nepal|Corruption]] * [[Nepotism]] * [[Censorship in Nepal|Social media ban]] |'''Successful''' * [[K. P. Sharma Oli#Resignation|Resignation of prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli]] * Social media ban lifted * [[House of Representatives (Nepal)|House of Representatives]] dissolved ! style="color:#fff; background:#00112b;"|[[2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Government overthrown</span>]] |<ref name=":1" /> |- |{{Flag|Timor-Leste}} |'''[[2025 Timor-Leste protests]]'''<br>15–17 September 2025 | * Proposed US$4 million budget to buy 65 new cars for members of [[National Parliament of Timor-Leste|parliament]] |'''Successful''' * Purchase of cars canceled * Pensions ended for former MPs !style="color:#fff; background:#008080;"|[[2025 Timor-Leste protests|<span style="display:none;">C</span> <span style="color:white;">Protests and governmental changes</span>]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rachman |first=Joseph |date=7 October 2025 |title=Timor-Leste's Protests Fit Into a Regional Trend |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/23/timor-leste-gen-z-protests-regional-trend/ |access-date=6 October 2025 |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008211912/https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/23/timor-leste-gen-z-protests-regional-trend/ |archive-date=8 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | {{Flag|Maldives}} | '''[[2025 Maldivian protests]]'''<br>20 September 2025 – 18 November 2025 | * [[Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Law|Media control law]] * [[Corruption in the Maldives|Corruption]] | '''Failed''' * Media bill ratified into law * Amnesty offered to protesters ! style="color:#fff; background:#d64400;" | [[2025 Maldivian protests|<span style="display:none;">E</span><span style="color:white;">Major protests</span>]] | <ref>{{cite web |last=Rasheed |first=Zaheena |title='War on free speech': Outcry after Maldives passes controversial media bill |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/17/war-on-free-speech-outcry-after-maldives-passes-controversial-media-bill |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=4 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917164500/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/17/war-on-free-speech-outcry-after-maldives-passes-controversial-media-bill |archive-date=17 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Shankhyaneel |title=Anti-Muizzu Protests Rock Maldives Over Corruption Allegations; Police Arrest 8 After Clashes |url=https://www.news18.com/world/anti-muizzu-protests-rock-maldives-over-corruption-allegations-police-arrest-8-after-clashes-ws-kl-9614039.html |website=News18 |access-date=7 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010130645/https://www.news18.com/world/anti-muizzu-protests-rock-maldives-over-corruption-allegations-police-arrest-8-after-clashes-ws-kl-9614039.html |archive-date=10 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | {{Flag|Indonesia}} | '''[[2025 Indonesian protests]]'''<br>17 February – 31 December 2025 | * [[House of Representatives (Indonesia)|House of Representatives]] allowance hike * Economic frustration * [[Police brutality by country#Indonesia|Police brutality]] * General opposition to the [[Red and White Cabinet|current government]] | '''Partially successful''' * Cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto Protests and governmental changes reshuffled and several laws and policies revised ! ! style="color:#fff; background:#008080;"|[[2025 Indonesian protests|<span style="display:none;">E</span> <span style="color:white;">Protests and governmental changes</span>]] | <ref name=":1" /> |}

=== Ongoing === {{sticky header}}

{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="font-size:95%;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:12%;" class="unsortable" | Duration ! scope="col" style="width:15%;" class="unsortable" | Cause(s) ! scope="col" style="width:20%;" class="unsortable" | Results ! scope="col" style="width:1%;" class="unsortable" | Ref. |- ! colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | Since 2025 |- | {{Flag|Philippines}} | '''[[2025–2026 Philippine anti-corruption protests]]'''<br>4 September 2025 – present | * [[Corruption in the Philippines|Corruption]] * [[Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines|Flood control projects controversy]] | '''Ongoing''' * Investigations into [[Flood control projects controversy in the Philippines|"ghost" projects]] underway. | <ref name=":1" /> <ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rita |first1=Joviland |last2=Ferreras |first2=Vince Angelo |date=20 September 2025 |title=A tale of two rallies both poised vs. flood control projects corruption |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/959757/anti-corruption-rallies-flood-control-projects-luneta-edsa-people-power-monument/story/ |access-date=22 September 2025 |website=GMA News Online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920012446/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/959757/anti-corruption-rallies-flood-control-projects-luneta-edsa-people-power-monument/story/ |archive-date=20 September 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite news |last=Lalu |first=Gabriel Pabico |date=18 September 2025 |title=Makabayan: We'll criticize Marcos, but we won't seek his resignation |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2111131/fwd-makabayan-well-criticize-marcos-but-we-wont-seek-his-resignation |access-date=22 September 2025 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006134447/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2111131/fwd-makabayan-well-criticize-marcos-but-we-wont-seek-his-resignation |archive-date=6 October 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | {{Flag|Iran}}<br />(Phase 2) | '''[[2025–2026 Iranian protests]]'''<br>28 December 2025 – present | * Discontent with the ruling [[Islamic republic|Islamic Republic]] * [[Economic impact of the Iran-Israel war]] * [[Iranian rial]] exchange rate hits record low * [[Hyperinflation]] * [[Water scarcity in Iran|Water crisis]] * [[Corruption in Iran|Corruption]] * [[International sanctions against Iran|International sanctions]] * [[State terrorism]] * [[Women's rights in Iran|Lack of women's rights]] * [[2026 Internet blackout in Iran|Internet blackout]] | '''Ongoing''' * Mohammad Reza Farzin resigns as head of the Central Bank and is replaced by [[Abdolnaser Hemmati]]. * Political Adviser to the President [[Mehdi Sanaei]] resigns. * President [[Masoud Pezeshkian]] and government spokeswoman [[Fatemeh Mohajerani]] promise negotiations. * [[POTUS|U.S. President]] [[Donald Trump]] threatens intervention. * [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Ali Khamenei]] states rioters must be "put in their place." * [[2026 Iran massacres|Protests suppressed by force]] * Protests mostly quelled by 16 January 2026.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/world/middleeast/iran-protests-deadly-crackdown.html |title=Iran Protests Quelled Since Deadly Crackdown, Residents Say |website=The New York Times |date=16 January 2026}}</ref> * Protests reignited since 21 February 2026.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-student-protests-tehran/33684136.html |title=Iranian Students Chant Anti-Government Slogans |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=21 February 2026}}</ref> * Outbreak of the [[2026 Iran war]] on 28 February 2026 and [[Assassination of Ali Khamenei|assassination]] of Ali Khamenei. | <ref>{{cite web |title=Iran Fears Gen-Z |url=https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-resistance/iran-fears-gen-z-why-the-regime-is-ratcheting-up-propaganda-graves-clearing-and-intimidation/ |website=NCRI}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Iran's Generation Z in the Protests |url=https://iranwire.com/en/features/147341-irans-generation-z-in-the-protests-we-want-a-normal-life/ |website=Iran Wire}}</ref> |- ! colspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | 2026 |- |}

==Characteristics== [[File:Smokes, fire and a flag.jpg|thumb|A protester waves the [[Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger]] in the Filipino protests, 21 September 2025]] [[File:Tongi graffiti 6.jpg|thumb|A graffiti in Bangladesh drawn by the Gen Z in the aftermath of the protests, showing various social media which played a key role organising the movement.]]

The protests have been notable for the leading role taken by Generation Z, especially [[Student activism|students]], with [[social media]] and [[internet activism]] being playing a key role in organizing the protests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subedi |first=D. B. |date=2025-09-11 |title=Deadly Nepal protests reflect a wider pattern of Gen Z political activism across Asia |url=http://theconversation.com/deadly-nepal-protests-reflect-a-wider-pattern-of-gen-z-political-activism-across-asia-264968 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-20 |title=Social media is a double-edged sword in protests against corruption and nepotism |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-21/nepal-indonesia-gen-z-social-media-misinformation/105779038 |access-date=2025-09-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-15 |title=How Gen Z-led protests are rattling governments across Asia |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/protests-asia-gen-z-nepal-indonesia-rcna231096 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacob |first=Jayanth |date=2025-09-14 |title=From Bangladesh to Nepal: Youth uprisings and what they mean for India |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2025/Sep/14/from-bangladesh-to-nepal-youth-uprisings-and-what-they-mean-for-india |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Several affected governments enacted social media bans and [[Internet outage|internet shutdowns]] as a result.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2024-07-19 |title=Bangladesh Internet in 'Total Shutdown' Amid Student Protests and Dozens of Deaths: 'Things Are Really Turning Bad' |url=https://variety.com/2024/politics/news/bangladesh-internet-shutdown-student-protests-deaths-1236078025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720215015/https://variety.com/2024/politics/news/bangladesh-internet-shutdown-student-protests-deaths-1236078025/ |archive-date=20 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-20 |magazine=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen Z protest in Kathmandu against corruption and ban on social media platforms |url=https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2025/09/08/gen-z-protest-in-kathmandu-against-corruption-and-social-media-ban |access-date=9 September 2025 |website=[[The Kathmandu Post]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news |date=3 April 2022 |title=Social media ban backfires : Anti Govt slogans trends in other countries |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2022/04/03/social-media-ban-backfires-anti-govt-solgans-trends-in-other-countrie/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=NewsWire |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403104845/https://www.newswire.lk/2022/04/03/social-media-ban-backfires-anti-govt-solgans-trends-in-other-countrie/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Popular culture|Symbols in popular culture]], such as the [[Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger|flag of the Straw Hat Pirates]] from the [[Japan]]ese [[manga]] series ''[[One Piece]]'', have been adopted by protestors across [[Asia]] to support their cause.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=Lex |date=2025-09-20 |title=This Japanese manga flag has become a global protest symbol for Gen Z |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/19/asia/one-piece-flag-indonesia-nepal-protesters-intl-hnk-dst |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=de Guzman |first=Chad |title=Indonesian Authorities Respond to Mass Flying of 'One Piece' Flag |url=https://time.com/7309534/indonesia-one-piece-pirate-flag-protest-prabowo-free-speech-criticism/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917150544/https://time.com/7309534/indonesia-one-piece-pirate-flag-protest-prabowo-free-speech-criticism/ |archive-date=17 September 2025 |access-date=2025-09-21 |magazine=Time |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=2025-09-24 |title='A symbol of liberation': how the One Piece manga flag became the symbol of Asia's gen Z protest movement |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/24/how-one-piece-manga-flag-became-symbol-asia-gen-z-protest-movement-liberation |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Analysis== Bangladeshi researchers S Toufiq Haque, Syeda Lasna Kabir and Mohammad Isa Ibn Belal claimed that Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Nepalese uprisings have reintroduced the region of South Asia as a "centre of uprisings", and argued that post-uprising governments of these countries failed to address the key issues behind the uprisings–corruption, nepotism, political instability, unemployment and social inequality.<ref>{{cite web|first1=S Toufiq|last1=Haque|first2=Syeda Lasna|last2=Kabir|first3=Mohammad Isa Ibn|last3=Belal|title=বাংলাদেশ থেকে নেপাল: অভ্যুত্থানের ফলাফল কী|trans-title=Bangladesh to Nepal: What are the results of uprisings|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/opinion/column/oyzd0y9eoc|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|date=20 October 2025|language=bn}}</ref> National Security Adviser of India [[Ajit Doval]] claimed that poor governance was responsible for the regime changes in South Asia.<ref>{{cite web|title=অদক্ষ শাসনের কারণেই বাংলাদেশ, নেপাল ও শ্রীলঙ্কায় সরকার পরিবর্তন: অজিত দোভাল|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/world/india/q9np4jrejp|date=1 November 2025|website=[[Prothom Alo]]|publisher=[[The Hindu]]|language=bn}}</ref>

Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, fellow at the [[Observer Research Foundation]], opined that the weakening of governments in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal created political vacuums that resulted the opportunists and fringe groups to enter the protests and seek political legitimacy, like [[Janatha Vimukti Peramuna]] in Sri Lanka, [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami|Jamaat-e-Islami]] in Bangladesh, and monarchists in Nepal.<ref name="orf">{{cite web|first=Aditya Gowdara|last=Shivamurthy|title=দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার যুব বিদ্রোহ: প্রবণতা, কারণ এবং প্রভাব|url=https://www.orfonline.org/bangla/expert-speak/-south-asia-s-youth-uprisings-trends-causes-and-implications|website=[[Observer Research Foundation]]|date=4 December 2025|language=bn}}</ref>

==See also== * [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests]] * [[End SARS]] * [[Myanmar protests (2021–present)]] * [[2021 Russian protests]] * [[Kenya Finance Bill protests]] * [[2022 COVID-19 protests in China]] * [[2024 Venezuelan protests]] * [[Southeast Europe protests (2024–present)]] * [[2024–2025 Mozambican protests]] * [[2025 Kenyan protests]] * [[2025 Malagasy protests]] * [[2025 Mexican protests]] * [[2025 Moroccan Gen Z protests]] * [[2025 Peruvian protests]] * [[Gaza war protests]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

{{Revolutionary waves}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Gen Z protests in Asia| ]] [[Category:Internet censorship]] [[Category:Protest marches]] [[Category:Revolutionary waves]] [[Category:2020s revolutions]] [[Category:2022 in Asia]] [[Category:2024 in Asia]] [[Category:2025 in Asia]] [[Category:2020s protests]] [[Category:2020s in Bangladesh]] [[Category:2020s in the Maldives]] [[Category:2020s in Nepal]] [[Category:2020s in Sri Lanka]] [[Category:2020s in Indonesia]] [[Category:2020s in Iran]] [[Category:2020s in Malaysia]] [[Category:2020s in Myanmar]] [[Category:2020s in the Philippines]] [[Category:2020s in Thailand]] [[Category:2020s in Timor-Leste]] [[Category:2020s in Japan]] [[Category:2020s in Mongolia]] [[Category:2020s in South Korea]]