Sudan Gurung
सुधन गुरुङ
35th Minister of Home Affairs
In office
27 March 2026 – 22 April 2026
President Ram Chandra Paudel
Prime Minister Balendra Shah
Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav
Preceded by Om Prakash Aryal
Member of the House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 March 2026
Preceded by Rajendra Bajgain
Constituency Gorkha 1
Personal details
Born Sudan Lamichhane Gurung
(1987-07-18) 18 July 1987 (age 38)
Gorkha, Nepal
Citizenship Nepali
Party Rastriya Swatantra Party
Parent Dil Bahadur Gurung (father)
Profession
  • Politician
  • Social activist
  • DJ
  • Entrepreneur
Sudan Gurung during the 2026 Nepalese general election.

Sudan Gurung (born 18 July 1987) is a Nepalese politician and philanthropist who served as the Minister of Home Affairs of Nepal from 27 March 2026 to 22 April 2026 following his resignation from the post.[1] He is also the founder and coordinator of the non-governmental organisation Hami Nepal.[2][3]

He emerged as one of the leaders of the Gen Z movement in the aftermath of the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests.[4] He participated in extensive negotiations with the President and the Chief of the Army staff Ashok Raj Sigdel, which led to finalisation of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and dissolution of parliament, paving the way for early election.[5] On the night of 14 September 2025, Gurung led protests against interim prime minister Karki demanding her resignation, alleging that she was expanding her cabinet without consultation.[6][7][8][9]

Gurung's ideological beliefs include anti-corruption measures, secularism, systemic reform and empowerment of the new generation.[10] Gurung does not follow any particular religion and instead promotes the "religion of humanity" philosophical view.[11]

He ran in the 2026 Nepalese general election with the Rastriya Swatantra Party, winning a parliamentary seat from constituency Gorkha 1.[12]

Biography

Early life and education

Sudan was born on 18 July 1987 in Chumanuwri Rural Municipality, located in the northern part of the Gorkha District, he was raised in a modest family. His father, Dil Bahadur Gurung is from the same region. Sudan later moved to Chitwan District, where he was raised by his grandmother, and his grandfather, Ramsal Gurung.[13][14]

After completing his School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C.) from Kalika Gurukul Secondary English Boarding School in Chitwan, he enrolled in A-Levels at Kathmandu's Multi International School. However, he could not complete his studies after the second year of A-Levels.[15]

Sudan spent a significant part of his life in Kathmandu. After moving from Chitwan to Kathmandu, his first job was in a call centre as a employee. After that, he began working as a DJ and gained recognition under the name DJ Sudan in Thamel.[14]

In 2012, Sudan established his own nightclub, OMG Club, in collaboration with partners older than him. Through this business, he became known for introducing theme-based parties in Thamel, which not only brought him financial success but also helped him build connections with influential and high-ranking individuals, including Dinesh Adhikari (Chari Don).[15][16][17]

Initial activism

A career change resulted following the death of a child in his arms, in the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.[18] His first immediate action was to work with Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, leading a group of volunteers (at the time consisting of 1,000 people) who he had coordinated with the use of social media as to manage the flow of aid to rural areas. On top of coordinating the flow of aid, the group led by Gurung was critical of the government, blaming its corruption as a cause for the undermining of aid efforts.[19]

Political career

His first instance of leadership in a wider context of protest was in early 2025, when he had become the head of a protest held at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, where he demanded more transparency in the institution.[20]

During and in the aftermath of the 2025 Nepalese Gen-Z protests, he assumed a role of a key player and leader of the movement.[4] He also participated in negotiations with Ashok Raj Sigdel, which led to finalisation of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and dissolution of parliament, paving the way for early elections.[5]

He has expressed his intention of running in the 2026 Nepalese general election in a political group rather than an independent candidate, justifying such decision as a strategy.[21][22] He also warned that the elections would be obstructed if the needs of Generation Z were not met.[23]

On the night of 14 September 2025, Gurung led protests against interim prime minister Karki demanding her resignation, alleging that she was expanding her cabinet without consultation.[6][7][8][9] On 24 November 2025 he led a group of Gen-Zs to protest after failing to meet the Nepali Prime Minister and not being able to submit a complaint regarding the assignment of relatives to political posts within the government.[24] He protested such demands even after that, on 26 November 2025.[25]

On 18 January 2026 he joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party, running on their behalf in Gorkha 1 constituency.[26][27] He won the seat, receiving 29,896 votes.[12]

On 27 March 2026, he was appointed as the Home Minister of Nepal by the government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah.[28]

On 22 April 2026, he resigned from his post, citing moral responsibility due to rising controversy and public pressure.[29][30]

Hami Nepal

In 2020, Sudan Gurung founded Hami Nepal, a non-governmental organization established during the COVID-19 pandemic as a community-based emergency response initiative. The organization was formally registered in 2020 and developed as a youth-led, non-partisan platform focused on direct relief and civic engagement.

Hami Nepal has received support and association from various public figures, including ophthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit and Miss Universe Nepal 2018 Manita Devkota, who has served as a goodwill ambassador. Other Nepali public personalities have also participated in its relief and advocacy efforts.[31]

The organization has been involved in humanitarian activities, including assistance during the 2021 floods in Nepal and contributing aid to international disaster responses, such as the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes. It has also received recognition through awards for its COVID-19 and community relief efforts.

Ideology

Gurung emphasized that his ideological beliefs include a will for systemic reform, anti-corruption measures, secularism, and empowerment of the new generation.[10] Gurung does not follow any particular religion and instead promotes the "religion of humanity" philosophical view.[11]

See also

  • 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests – Youth-led nationwide protests in Nepal calling for political reform and better governance.
  • 2026 Nepalese General Election – A parliamentary election held following the 2025 Nepalese Gen Z protests in which Sudan Gurung won representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party from Gorkha 1 and became Home Minister of Nepal.

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Home Minister Gurung resigns amid scrutiny over financial conduct". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Attempted attack on Hami Nepal coordinator Sudan burung - OnlineKhabar English News". 17 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  3. ^ Ahmed, Aftab; Mukherjee, Hritam; Mukherjee, Hritam (15 September 2025). "Exclusive: Young activists who toppled Nepal's government now picking new leaders". Reuters. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Gen Z activist Sudan Gurung claims attempted attack against him". MyRepublica. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b Awale, Sonia (12 September 2025). "Madam Prime Minister of Nepal". Nepali Times. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Sudan Gurung's group protest in front of PM's residence at midnight demanding PM Karki's resignation". Setopati. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Sudan Gurung calls for unity among youth leaders, announces nationwide campaign". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  8. ^ a b Anand Nepal (19 November 2025). Sudan Gurung Warns Gen-Z Andolan 2nd Phase, Om Prakash Aryal Mahesh Basnet, KP Oli, Sushila Karki. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ a b "Gen Z youth, Bara security committee reach six-point verbal deal". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Leaders of international Gen Z movement reflect on their countries' political futures". Le Monde. 14 November 2025. Archived from the original on 23 January 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  11. ^ a b "Biography of Sudan Gurung: The Home Minister of Nepal". Nep Insights. Retrieved 3 April 2026. When it comes to Sudan Gurung religion, he is generally appreciated throughout Nepal's various communities for his inclusive stance. He frequently discusses the "religion of humanity," which he demonstrated via Hami Nepal by assisting individuals regardless of their background or beliefs
  12. ^ a b "Sudan Gurung of RSP wins election from Gorkha-1". Setopati. 9 March 2026. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Home Minister Sudhan Gurung declares 89 tolas of gold, land across three districts, shares worth millions of rupees". Nepal News. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  14. ^ a b "From Activist to Home Minister: The Controversial Rise of Sudan Gurung". english.ratopati.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  15. ^ a b "Sudhan Gurung Appointed Home Minister in Balen Shah's Cabinet Amidst Significant Challenges". english.ratopati.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  16. ^ Gandhi, Swati (9 September 2025). "Who is Sudan Gurung, the man behind massive Gen Z protest in Nepal?". Business Standard. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  17. ^ Dhungana, KP (30 September 2025). "जेन-जी आन्दोलनको 'हाइज्याकर' सुधन : ए लेभल फेलदेखि 'क्विन मेकर'को भूमिकासम्म". Ukeraa.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Who is Sudan Gurung, the face of Nepal's powerful Gen-Z protests?". Firstpost. 9 September 2025. Archived from the original on 15 September 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  19. ^ "Anger as corruption, red tape holds up Nepal earthquake aid delivery". ABC News. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  20. ^ "Nepal protests: How did Sudan Gurung organise the Gen Z protests in Kathmandu?". The Week. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Nepal protest leader says he will run in upcoming elections". Al Jazeera. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  22. ^ Najjar, Farah (27 September 2025). "Nepal protest leader says he will run in upcoming elections". Reuters. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Sudan Gurung warns elections will be obstructed if Gen-Z demands ignored". Republica. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Gen-Z group protests outside PM's office after failing to meet Prime Minister Karki". Khabarub. 24 November 2025.
  25. ^ Lamsal, Sandesh (26 November 2025). "KP Oli 2.0: Nepal's Gen Z demands resignation of Interim PM Sushila Karki after police clash and nepotism scandal". OnlineKhabar English.
  26. ^ National, Pushpa Tamang (18 January 2026). "Sudan Gurung Joins Rastriya Swatantra Party". Khoj Samachar. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  27. ^ "Sudan Gurung files candidacy for HoR polls from Gorkha–1". Nepal News. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  28. ^ "सुधन गुरुङ गृहमन्त्री बन्दै". Onlinekhabar. 27 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Home Minister Sudhan Gurung Resigns Amid Controversy". english.ratopati.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  30. ^ "Home Minister Sudan Gurung steps down". khabarhub.com. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  31. ^ "Sudan Gurung Biography: Age, Wife, Hami Nepal & Home Minister 2026 - FameReports". 28 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.