Nepal's political landscape underwent significant turbulence in early September 2025, marked by widespread protests that led to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on September 9 and the installation of an interim government under Sushila Karki. What began as demonstrations against a social media blackout and allegations of corruption quickly escalated into a broader challenge to the status quo. Amid this, theories of external involvement have proliferated, with some labeling the events a "color revolution" orchestrated by Western entities. This post examines these claims based on available reports and discussions, presenting perspectives from various sources without endorsing any particular view.
The Sequence of Events: From Blackout to Regime Shift
On September 4, 2025, Nepal's government imposed restrictions on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Discord, under the Social Media Bill 2025. Authorities cited non-compliance with registration and content moderation requirements as the rationale. Protests erupted shortly thereafter, led primarily by youth groups decrying corruption, nepotism (highlighted by the #NepoKids hashtag), and economic stagnation, including high unemployment rates around 20%. Demonstrations turned violent, resulting in at least 74 deaths, arson at government buildings, and clashes with security forces.
By September 8, the scale of unrest prompted Oli's resignation. President Ram Chandra Paudel then appointed Karki, Nepal's former Chief Justice, as interim leader, drawing on consultations with civil society as per Article 61 of the constitution. Platforms like Discord, accessed via VPNs, reportedly facilitated coordination among protesters, with servers such as Hami Nepal's growing to over 145,000 members. The bans were lifted by September 8, and Karki's administration has since announced reforms, including reviews of the social media law and anti-corruption probes.
Claims of a 'Color Revolution': Funding and Orchestration Allegations
Some analysts and commentators have framed these events as a "color revolution," a term historically associated with non-violent (or semi-violent) movements perceived as externally supported regime changes, such as those in Georgia (2003) or Ukraine (2004 and 2014). Reports suggest that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in the protests received funding from U.S.-based entities like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and George Soros's Open Society Foundations (OSF).
For instance, a September 18 article on ScheerPost highlighted USAID and Soros-backed NGOs as potential sparks for the "youth revolution," noting that 22 civil society organizations signing a pre-protest statement against the blackout were funded by NED or OSF. Hami Nepal, described as playing a "central role" in guiding demonstrations via Instagram and Discord, is listed as receiving NED grants, alongside partners like Coca-Cola and Free Tibet groups. Investigative journalist Kit Klarenberg, in a report cited across platforms, pointed to the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ)—itself NED- and OSF-funded—as a key signatory, with most co-signers drawing from similar sources.
Geopolitical context is also invoked: Oli's government had been strengthening ties with China, including Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects vital for landlocked Nepal. Some sources link this to U.S. interests, referencing the U.S.-Nepal State Partnership Program (SPP) and visits by figures like Victoria Nuland and Samantha Power prior to the unrest. A PressTV analysis on September 17 noted NED's focus on issues like corruption that mirrored protest triggers, suggesting exploitation of grievances. Digital Rights Nepal, which condemned the blackout, is OSF-bankrolled.
Visual elements have fueled speculation: Protest signs in English, rather than Nepali, and symbols like a raised fist—associated with Soros- and NED-linked groups—are cited as indicators of external branding. Comparisons to past operations, such as Libya (2011) or Hong Kong (2019), appear in discussions, with claims of a "playbook" involving youth mobilization and media amplification.
Perspectives from X: A Snapshot of Online Discourse
Discussions on X (formerly Twitter) reflect polarized views, with many users amplifying the color revolution narrative. Below is a curated selection of recent posts (from September 1-22, 2025) touching on these themes, sorted by recency for relevance. These represent user-generated content and do not constitute verified facts.
| Date | Author | Key Explanation Excerpt | Engagement (Likes/Views) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 22 | @NuryVittachi | Evidence of foreign involvement in Nepal revolution is clear, says top investigative journalist. MOST OF THE 22 civil organizations which signed a document criticizing the Nepalese government before it was thrown out of power received money from the NED and/ or OSF... And a previously low-profile NGO called Hami Nepal, which played a “central role” in the protests, also received cash from the NED... PEOPLE’S ANGER WAS REAL. While the Nepali people’s grievances were real enough, “there are unambiguous indications the insurrectionary disarray has long-been in the making, and assisted by spectral, foreign forces,” he pointed out... ‘LEADERLESS’ BUT WITH A LEADER. As is common with US hybrid warfare operations, the protesters were portrayed as a “leaderless” group... but the Hami Nepal NGO can clearly be seen at the movement’s forefront... CONCERN FOR FUTURE. “There’s little doubt many Nepalese citizens were justifiably disillusioned... Yet, colour revolutions invariably exploit grassroots public discontent, to install governments considerably worse...” | 305 / 11,708 |
| Sep 21 | @worldinflection | Let’s not forget that Nepal used to be a close US ally in the 1950s and 1960s. It allowed CIA funded Tibetan separatists to train close to Tibet border. “HAMI NEPAL” who is behind Nepali colour revolution is funded by Students from free Tibet which is funded by NED/CIA. [Includes image of funding links] | 22 / 6,552 |
| Sep 19 | @Bhupendrad90 | Hami Nepal is funded by Students for free Tibet, SFT is funded by NED. This was a color revolution triggered because of the events that took place in China 2 weeks ago. It’s politically naive to think gen-z protest was all organic. [Includes 4 images showing funding diagrams and timelines] | 8 / 549 |
| Sep 15 | @420GHz | 100% a U.S.-backed color revolution. NED fingerprints all over it. Corruption was the excuse, Washington was the director. Most Westerners barely know where Nepal is—so of course they parrot imperial spin. | 1 / 16 |
| Sep 13 | @ulgenfatma74 | I hope ALL those who screamed "CIA/Soros" for Nepal for days read @RnaudBertrand 's exceptionally wise words about themselves... Among those "color revolution" screamers,there are 2 groups. Bertrand is speaking with those who genuinely thought there was a color rev going on. [Quotes long post by @RnaudBertrand explaining why it's not a color revolution, but user counters with endorsement of the claim] | 1 / 57 |
| Sep 12 | @ZaphodsFolly | It's a US-sponsored color revolution. It's USAID, State, CIA, NED, other NGOs... not "a bunch of kids on socmed." Nepal signed onto the BRI last year and the Biden-Harris regime immediately put resources towards overthrowing the govt, which we are seeing now. | 5 / 84 |
| Sep 11 | @Mookoonda | Find out: Is he engaged in Hami Nepal NGO? Who funded Hami Nepal (you may have no idea- I give you hint, NED)? Who started "Nepo baby" movement? Who started the banner "Youth Against Corruption"? Who started Gen Z movement? He is not a master mind though. What is color revolution. | 2 / 152 |
| Sep 11 | @lopatonok | Who is behind today color revolution in Nepal?? First off all look for NED and NGO’s who is vocal about human rights? Why Nepal? Easy to create tensions for India and China with one shot. Nepal is very poor country, my personal experience says so. [Includes video of protests] | 15 / 1,252 |
| Sep 10 | @DevdanChaudhuri | Same US / NED / USAID regime change / colour revolution playbook: using same tactics and same symbols! [Quotes post about Straw Hat flag in protests, linking to Indonesia] #Nepal #NepalGenZProtest #NepalProtests #USA #NED #USAID | 1 / 245 |
| Sep 10 | @AmokwuO | What is happening in Nepal has all the Hallmark of a CIA color revolution. A George Soros gambit to remove a govt they don't like leveraging on the anger of the people against their govt. The young people of Nepal are pawns in a game they don't understand just yet. [Quotes video of youth speech] | 6 / 550 |
| Sep 10 | @Ppl_not_profits | The speculations re colour revolution come from the following evidence: 1. NED funded programmes in Nepal https://www.ned.org/region/asia/ 2. Signing on to China's Belt and Road scheme in December 2024 https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2024/12/05/nepal-signs-belt-and-road-deal/ [Quotes long post by @RnaudBertrand] | 18 / 1,355 |
| Sep 10 | @EinekleineTweet | The “Color Revolution” Playbook in Nepal: A Brief Analysis. Thesis: The U.S. invests in soft-power instruments (NED, USAID, NDI/IRI, etc.) that build civic, media, and youth capacity in Nepal... 1) Funding Opposition & Civic Capacity. Documented: NED's FY2024 grants explicitly fund Nepalese projects... 2) Narrative Control & Media Framing... 3) Mobilization Channels... 4) Goal: Replace Pro-China Leadership?... 5) The “Sparing India” Element... Evidence Matrix... Conclusion: The structural claim... is well-supported... The operational claim... lacks direct public evidence. [Detailed matrix table and bibliography] | 14 / 1,157 |
| Sep 10 | @EinekleineTweet | [Repeated detailed analysis as above, in reply to violence video, emphasizing NED grants and USAID commitments as structural evidence for playbook] | 76 / 4,974 |
| Sep 9 | @rdsathene | English language banners and placards in Nepal are prima facie evidence of NED funded color revolution. Expect USA empire approved dictator soon. [Includes UN language data tables showing English as marginal in Nepal] | 2 / 137 |
These posts illustrate a mix of assertions, with some users drawing parallels to regional events in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Videos and threads by figures like Brian Berletic are frequently shared, detailing NED grants and protest templates.
Counterpoints and Broader Context
Other sources emphasize organic roots in youth disillusionment, dismissing foreign interference claims as disinformation. A Swarajya Mag report on September 16 described efforts to "rewrite a revolution" via fake news, attributing unrest to genuine generational reckoning against impunity. Peoples Dispatch outlined "five theses" on September 11, including a "color revolution" angle but also highlighting internal dynamics like economic woes. One X user noted that only 6% of NED funding targeted youth engagement, with most supporting existing parties.
In a regional lens, similar theories have surfaced in Bangladesh (2024) and Sri Lanka (2022), often tied to anti-corruption themes. B92 reported on September 10 that accusations against Soros echoed Albanian claims of destabilization.
Ongoing Developments and Open Questions
As of September 22, Karki's interim government prepares for March 2026 elections, with Discord servers continuing to influence discourse. Allegations persist, but investigations into funding and motives remain limited. Reports suggest a "political vacuum" could invite further external influence.
This narrative underscores the challenges of discerning domestic discontent from geopolitical maneuvering in an interconnected world. Further transparency on NGO funding and protest origins may clarify these debates.
Sources: Compiled from web reports and X posts as of September 22, 2025.
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