[2] FROM SRI LANKA TO BANGLADESH AND NEPAL: DEMOCRATIC CRISIS AND THE RISE OF POPULAR MOVEMENTS: ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Jan 21, 2026, Revised: Jan 31, 2026, Accepted: Feb 04 , 2026, CrossRef D.O.I : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i2.2026.7-18, HOW TO CITE: Milan Bain (2026). From Sri Lanka to Bangladesh and Nepal: Democratic Crisis and the Rise of Popular Movements. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(2), 7-18.

Milan Bain

Authors

Milan Bain M.A; M.Phil(Jadavpur University), Department of Political Science, WB, India.

Abstract

In recent years, a global decline in democratic governance has become increasingly evident, with the expansion of authoritarian rule particularly visible in Asian politics1. In South Asia, the weakening of democratic frameworks is rooted in historical, political, and socio-economic factors. Common symptoms of democratic decay in the region include the erosion of democratic institutions, suppression of political opposition, authoritarian governance, declining electoral credibility, restrictions on press freedom, and violations of civil liberties2. These problems manifest to varying degrees across South Asian states. Recent developments in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal illustrate different dimensions of democratic crisis. Sri Lanka experienced a severe economic collapse, Bangladesh drifted toward electoral authoritarianism, and Nepal suffered from institutional fragility and frequent changes of government3. All three countries have recently witnessed transformative popular uprisings, making them critical case studies for understanding the democratic future of the region. This article argues that contemporary democratic crises are primarily driven by elite power capture, dynastic politics, and the economic failures that result from them. While recent popular movements—largely led by Generation Z and organized through digital networks—have successfully shaken entrenched political systems, their decentralized nature and the deeply embedded power of traditional elites pose serious risks to achieving sustainable institutional democratic gains. Notably, the drivers of instability across these countries are strikingly similar. Widespread public dissatisfaction arising from corruption and failures of governance has bound these movements together, giving rise to a “South Asian Spring” that reflects deep frustration with established leadership4.