Nepal‘s ‘Nepo Babies’ Spark Public Outcry,Reflecting Global Trend โof Rising Inequality
Kathmandu,nepal – A recent surge in public criticism targeting the โขchildren of Nepali politicians adn officials,dubbed โค”nepo babies,” is fueling a broader debate about nepotism and its consequences,mirroring similar discussions unfolding โขworldwide. The controversy highlights growingโข anxieties over wealth inequality and perceived unfair advantagesโค afforded to those with powerful connections.
The scrutiny inโ Nepal follows revelations of alleged โcorruption and misuse of funds in infrastructure projects, specifically diversionsโข of billions of pesos from flood control initiatives. this โhas led to online backlash โฃagainst โขthe opulent โขlifestyles of individuals linked โขto โฃthose in power, prompting questions about the origins of their wealth.
Theโข phenomenon โคisn’t isolated to Nepal. The debate over nepotism was reignited globally in 2020โฃ following โthe death of โIndian actor โ
Experts note thatโฃ nepotism extends beyond the โentertainment industry. A 2019 Oxfam report cited by filmmaker Kabir Khan and publicโ policy analyst โRohan Sandhu in The Indian express revealed that India’s richest 10% control 77.4% of the nation’s โขwealth,while the bottom 60% possess less than 5%. โคKhan โขand Sandhu also pointed to the financial realities of filmmaking, where projects with established names are frequently enough easier to finance โคand distribute, leadingโ producers to view “star โคkids” as less risky investments.
the current wave of anger towards “nepo babies” is being attributed to rising wealth inequalities and increased visibility into the lifestyles โขof the privileged through social media. Observersโข suggest a patternโข emerging globally, driven by similar economic systems.
Historian Niall Sumner recently highlighted the importance of perceived disinterestedness in leadership, referencing โa letter from US โฃpresident Thomas Jefferson who emphasized directing affairs “with a single โeye to their good,โข and not to build up fortunes for himself โand family.” โฃThe ongoing debate underscores the potentialโ for the concentration of โฃpower within select groups to have lasting societal consequences.