The Delhi High Court has stayed proceedings in a criminal defamation case filed against Sudarshan TV and its editor Suresh Chavhanke in connection with allegations that his channel made false accusations against a madrasa. The case against Chavhanke was filed by Mohammed Tufail Khan
The Trump Intervention That Got the DOJ Off Live Nation’s Back Antitrust case started out aiming to force the concert giant to sell Ticketmaster. After two White House meetings, a deal kept the company intact. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:02:07 IST WSJ Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The
China said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) it was postponing its planned ambitious Chang'e-7 lunar mission, which was set to carry out explorations including searching for water ice on the moon. The Chang'e-7 spacecraft was originally set to lift off in the coming days from the Wenchang Space Launch
Canada’s Carney Puts His ‘No Deal Is Better Than a Bad Deal’ Doctrine to the Test The prime minister ’s approach has broad support from the Canadian public and his political opponents, but it isn’t without risks. Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:05:27 IST WSJ Prefer HTon Google Share via
An Indian national was killed in a shooting incident in New York on Friday night, said the Indian consulate general in the city. The man, Gurdeep Singh, was killed on Crescent Street in the city’s Brooklyn area, in what police believe may have been a road rage incident, CBS News reported
A group of former cricket captains, including Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and one of England's longest-serving skippers Sir Alastair Cook, have called on Pakistan to ensure its ex-PM Imran Khan be given proper care while in custody. The cricketer-turned-politician has been in jail since
Fewer than 20 commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend, shipping data showed on Monday (August 24, 2026), as Iranian and U.S. blockades restrict traffic through the chokepoint for energy shipments. Four vessels crossed the strait on Sunday (August 23, 2026)
India had asked the United States not to allow reporters to ask questions during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in June, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Saturday
Two protests, two elections: How Nepal's Gen Z succeeded where Bangladesh's stumbled
Last month, as Nepal inaugurated its new prime minister Balendra Shah, along with a parliament stacked with youthful lawmakers, Bangladeshi activist Umama Fatema felt a pang of disappointment as she watched from afar.
Fatema was among the thousands of Gen Z protesters in Bangladesh who took to the streets in 2024. Like their Nepalese counterparts, they brought down their government in explosive demonstrations.
But nearly two years on, Bangladesh's youth movement has yet to gain any meaningful political power. In the country's first post-protest elections held in February, the established Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a historic majority while the new youth-led National Citizens' Party (NCP) - which grew out of the student revolution - did dismally.
It stands in marked contrast to Nepal, which just a month later held a historic election where the four-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won by a landslide. The victory sent scores of Gen Z politicians to parliament and made former rapper Shah, who made an alliance with the RSP, the leader of Nepal.
It is a rare success story in Asia, which has seen numerous Gen Z protest movements in recent years but none resulting in young protesters gaining power the way Nepal's youth have.
"Personally, I felt disheartened. When I saw how effectively [the Nepalese youth] were able to organise themselves, I could not help but feel disappointed about the situation in our own country," said Fatema.
Bangladesh has not been able to deliver a such a change… it is naturally disheartening to realise that we have not been able to organise and rebuild our country in the same way.
So why did the youth triumph in one country but fall so short in another?
Nepalese youth leaders have attributed their victory to their movement's ability to resonate with ordinary citizens.
The Gen Z protests "tapped into a deep, long-standing frustration with the way things have been run", said KP Khanal, who was fielded by the RSP and won a seat in the Kailali district. "At the same time, the sacrifices and voices of Gen Z stayed with the public - they haven't been forgotten.
Consistency was also a key factor. We kept raising our voices around accountability and justice, over and over, and gradually that message reached far and wide. It stopped being just a reaction [to the status quo] and started to feel like a genuine, credible movement that people believed in and wanted to be part of.
But analysts have also pointed to the unique political landscape of Nepal and canny decisions by the youth movement.
With an electoral system designed to favour coalition governments, no single party has ruled Nepal by majority in years.
The country cycled through 14 governments in 17 years, dominated by the shifting alliances of a few established parties and a handful of politicians taking turns to helm Nepal in what critics deemed to be political musical chairs.
The public's seething anger over corruption, as exemplified in the Gen Z protests, was thus directed at the establishment, making the RSP - a relative newcomer - seem more attractive.
"In Nepal's case, since all three established parties, none dominant, were discredited, the main beneficiary has been the youthful RSP and its leader," noted Nitasha Kaul, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster.
The alliance between Balendra Shah and the RSP, and the decision by many youth activists and protest leaders to join the party, aided their success as the RSP provided the resources and wide reach for an electoral campaign.
Arguably, the alliance also helped the RSP, the leader of which - Rabi Lamichhane - had been accused of embezzlement. The party appeared to overcome this controversy by joining hands with Shah, a charismatic politician around whom voters could rally, but who had no organised party structure to rely on.
"In a larger South Asian context, where party organisation is extremely important, a youth-led party would likely have to build an extensive party structure before it could achieve widespread electoral success, especially in its first outing," said Nepalese political analyst Amish Mulmi.
This was exactly what youth activist Purushottam Suprabhat Yadav had in mind when he was asked by friends to join them in starting a new party following the Gen Z protests last year.
Yadav said no. "Winning an election is not a joke. Organising a movement and emerging victorious in an election are two different things," he told the BBC.
A political party cannot be formed out of nowhere… you require a very big machinery. There were also problems of finance and organisation-building, which was not easily available to us at that time.
Instead, the 27-year-old decided to join the RSP in December. He saw it as a credible alternative to the established parties, one that had a wide organisational network across the country and many new faces in its political roster.
It was a decision that paid off. Last week, Yadav was sworn into parliament as one of the RSP's lawmakers on its proportional representation list.
Kaul noted that winning elections requires long-term mobilising work.
"A movement that is driven primarily by passion, frustration, anger, or the politics of purity may be better at challenging the status quo - but not necessarily at winning elections," she said.
In South Asia in particular, a culture of deference, traditional social norms and gender hierarchy often prevent youth movements from succeeding. But Nepal was a "good example of success", she said.
A youth movement will be more effective when internal divisions are minimal, there is ideological plurality without antagonism, and there are few established parties that can easily hijack the movement's results.
Some analysts believe these crucial factors were missing in Bangladesh's case.
Until it was deposed by the Gen Z movement, the authoritarian Awami League had dominated politics in Bangladesh for years.
This meant that the "second and third parties were seen as 'victims'," said Kaul, noting that the BNP and the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami ended up "reaping the benefits of anti-establishment sentiment" in the elections.
These parties touted themselves as reform-minded and associated closely with the youth movement, and thus "were often better able to absorb and channel the energy of the protests than the newer youth-led organisations themselves", noted Imran Ahmed, a research fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.
The decision by the NCP to join a coalition led by the controversial and conservative Jamaat-e-Islami was particularly disastrous, alienating its core youth supporters - particularly women. In the end, the NCP won just six out of the 30 seats it contested.
"By aligning with a regressive force in Bangladesh, the NCP became more about political power than about the Gen Z cause", squandering their "golden chance" to appeal to more voters, said Rishi Gupta, assistant director of the Asia Society Policy Institute in Delhi.
Timing mattered as well. Gupta pointed out that the youth movement's momentum could have been sapped in the one and a half year gap between Bangladesh's Gen Z protests and elections. Nepal, in contrast, took only six months to hold its elections.
What the Bangladesh protesters succeeded in doing was moving the needle.
The demonstrations "reshaped national discourse", noted Ahmed, by focusing the conversation on the need for reforms. It led to a referendum, held alongside the election, where most people voted for sweeping changes to the constitution, parliament and legal system.
The new BNP government also outlined a 31-point plan for structural reforms. But some remain sceptical.
"In many ways, they have followed the same conventional pattern of programmes that the Awami League used to undertake," said Fatema, adding that the new government needed to focus more on improving job and economic opportunities for Bangladesh's youth.
A sense of disillusionment has settled in among Bangladesh's youth, with many now looking to leave for better work opportunities overseas, she said. Many are also disenchanted with politics following the elections.
"The tendency among young people to look abroad has grown to an alarming level… even those who once intended to remain in the country are no longer thinking that way.
"With young people no longer seeing their future within this country, how will they find a place for themselves within the political landscape? It has become a major problem," she said.
Some, however, hope that the NCP will rejuvenate the youth movement by building on its small foothold in parliament and rehabilitating its image.
The party is fielding candidates for the upcoming local city elections without any coalition partner. Since it is contesting on its own, "I think the people will accept the party more than they did in the national elections", said Rahat Hossain, a Gen Z protester who is now a local NCP leader.
If the NCP continues to stand with the people on the streets, fighting alongside them and upholding its promises, then it can achieve better outcomes in the future.
One goal remains clear for the young protesters of both Nepal and Bangladesh - they will not stop fighting for change.
For the new Gen Z lawmakers of Nepal, they vow to hold their new government accountable to an electorate with huge expectations and hungry for change.
"We are now entering parliament from the streets - our place [in society] has changed, but not our agenda," said Yadav.
Anti-corruption and an end to appointments on the basis of political affiliation and nepotism are our key demands. If we have to fight against our own party regarding this, we will do so.
And if Bangladesh's new government does not uphold the results of the referendum, "then we will, if necessary, return to the streets in protest", warned Hossain.
This time they may not be alone. "Those who are 10 years younger than us will eventually organise movements of their own," said Fatema.
The next phase [of protests in Bangladesh] will likely be led by Generation Alpha.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: World
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell with the support of 20 other former international skippers appealed to the Pakistan Government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to provide ‘humane treatment and proper medical care’ for Imran Khan
11 hours ago
The shock resignation of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran earlier this month has left corporate India's top job vacant. But finding his successor will be no easy task for the country's most revered conglomerate, whose sprawling $300bn empire spans Jaguar Land Rover and Air India as well as
11 hours ago
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war. Meanwhile, the new head of the Islamic Republic's top security body warned, in a more forceful tone, of retaliation if neighbouring countries support U.S
11 hours ago
Authorities in China have launched an investigation into reports of formaldehyde being used to preserve the freshness of cabbages for human consumption. Officials in the northeastern Hebei province confirmed that they had verified footage showing individuals dipping cabbages in a solution before
11 hours ago
Three newborns died after a fire that broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati district in the early hours of Monday, PTI reported. The fire broke out at the Amravati District Women’s Hospital around 3
11 hours ago
Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Imran's party demands immediate cardiac care for him at Shifa International Hospital Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:10:49 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Islamabad
11 hours ago
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s three-day visit to New Delhi in July 2026 for the India-Japan summit appears to have elevated relations between the two Asian countries into a fresh phase of strategic expansion. Ties had already undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade
11 hours ago
How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought How well do COVID antivirals actually work? Not as well as we thought Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 11:11:50 IST PTI Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Sydeny, If you're aged over 70
11 hours ago
On Sunday, in a post on X, Wali said the audio contained "explosive evidence" and claimed that Brar admitted his gang had ordered Nijjar's killing, alleging that the assassination was driven by an inter-gang feud. Ottawa: Three years after NIA designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in
14 hours ago
Until recently, there would have been little to distinguish Vietnam's so-called Justice Tree from the hundreds of others lining the streets of Hanoi. Then the bouquets started piling up. It was here that former politician Nguyen Sy Cuong was driving his BMW in May last year when he veered into the
14 hours ago
Fast-fashion giant Shein says it plans to raise up to HK13.86bn (£1.3bn; $1.77bn) when its shares start trading on the Hong Kong stock market on 1 September. In a filing on Monday, Shein said it will offer nearly 280 million shares for between HK$47.60 and HK$49.50
14 hours ago
A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced about 42,000 people to evacuate, while another 45,000 have been urged to prepare to leave. The Hawk Fire has burned 15,040 acres, destroyed some homes and injured six people. Officials declared a state of emergency as the blaze
14 hours ago
Former Indian diplomat Navdeep Suri has raised concerns about the verification process under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Suri, a retired Indian Foreign Services officer, went through the process in Punjab. It is among the 16 states where the voter roll revision is being
14 hours ago
A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 rattled eastern Japan, including the Tokyo area, early Sunday (August 23, 2026), injuring more than 20 people, most of them slightly, officials said. There was no danger of a tsunami. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency
1 days ago
Chinese humanoid robots broke records set by humans, including beating Usain Bolt’s 100-meter sprint world record, on the opening day of the Olympics-like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing on Saturday (August 22, 2026). More than 2,000 humanoid robots were participating in the event
1 days ago
One afternoon in 1907, a young accountant named Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman walked into the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science at 210 Bowbazar Street in Calcutta. Though he had a passion for the sciences, colonial India offered no stable careers in the field
1 days ago
Three first information reports were filed against 14 identified and more than 200 unidentified persons on Saturday in connection with clashes between the police and student protesters a day earlier, PTI quoted Ranchi Superintendent of Police Paras Rana as saying
1 days ago
Did an Amazon delivery guy assault a 71-year-old man in California? What we know about the attack and lawsuit A California lawsuit alleged that an Amazon delivery driver assaulted a 71-year-old man at an Elk Grove gas station. Updated on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
‘Pure evil’: Videos of mothers splashing water at their kids spark outrage amid Lindsay Clancy trial Social media videos of mothers throwing water at their children have sparked concerns amid Lindsay Clancy's trial. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
The sister of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday (August 22, 2026) filed a petition in the Supreme Court, accusing the government and senior officials of violating the top court’s order to shift him to a private hospital for medical examination and treatment
1 days ago
The United States and Canada have entered into uncharted territory. The longtime allies and economic partners, who have enjoyed free trade for decades, are now in an escalating trade war with no clear off ramp. And for Prime Minister Mark Carney
1 days ago
Harrisburg weather update: Special Weather Statement issued for central Pennsylvania as thunderstorms bring 40mph wind NWS has issued a Special Weather Statement for Harrisburg and surrounding parts of central Pennsylvania. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
The police in Maharashtra’s Latur have registered a first information report against Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign, for allegedly entering a government school without permission, threatening teachers and defaming the institution
1 days ago
The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday’s (August 24, 2026) scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and Tehran’s most important trading partners including China
1 days ago
Fourteen people were killed in military air strikes at a monastery in Myanmar early on Friday, opposition fighters and a local rescue worker have said. All of those killed were elderly and a number of monks were also injured, the rescue worker told BBC Burmese, adding that the site was struck twice
1 days ago
Deadly airstrikes in Gaza killed at least ten people on Wednesday. These attacks occurred just days after U.S. negotiators asked Israel to reduce its actions. Israeli troops also crossed the Gaza ceasefire line and detained a Hamas official. The ongoing conflict has killed over seventy-three
1 days ago
The Armed Forces Tribunal on Thursday upheld an administrative censure for a brigadier who was commanding a sector of the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district in December 2023 when three civilians died during an interrogation following a militant attack
1 days ago
