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Nepal’s Gen Z Protests: A Political Revolution

September 2025 witnesses Nepal’s most significant political upheaval in decades as Gen Z protest successfully forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, leaving the Himalayan nation under military control and curfew while seeking new leadership.

The crisis began on September 4, 2025, when the Government of Nepal ordered the shutdown of 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, and Snapchat. The government justified this action by claiming these platforms had failed to register under new regulations from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, primarily to enforce Digital Services Tax and stricter value-added tax rules on foreign e-service providers.

However, critics and protesters alleged the real motive was to suppress a viral social media trend called “Nepo Kids,” which highlighted the extravagant lifestyles of children and relatives of Nepal’s political elite. This trend particularly resonated with Nepal’s predominantly young population, where the median age is 25, making Generation Z the largest demographic affected by the social media restrictions.

The Economic Context Behind the Unrest

Nepal’s economic challenges provided fertile ground for the protests. With an average annual income of just USD 1,400 per person, widespread unemployment affecting 20% of youth, and 33% of GDP dependent on remittances from workers abroad, the contrast between ordinary citizens’ struggles and politicians’ wealthy lifestyles became unbearable for young Nepalis.

The country’s political instability has been chronic, with 13 different government formations in the 17 years since the monarchy’s abolition. This governmental instability, combined with pervasive corruption allegations, created deep frustration among the population, particularly the tech-savvy Generation Z demographic.

The Deadly Escalation: September 8, 2025

What began as peaceful demonstrations on September 8 quickly turned tragic when security forces opened fire on protesters attempting to enter the Federal Parliament building in Kathmandu. At least 19 people were killed on this single day, including a 12-year-old child, with over 500 injured. The protests, organized by NGO Hami Nepal, had initially been peaceful rallies against corruption and the social media ban.

The violent government response proved to be a critical mistake. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned that evening, taking “moral responsibility” for the deaths. The government also reversed the social media ban, but by then the protests had evolved beyond their original scope, with demonstrators now calling for the complete overthrow of the government.

The Government Falls: September 9, 2025

The following day witnessed unprecedented scenes of civil unrest across Nepal. Protesters stormed and set fire to numerous government buildings, including the Federal Parliament, Singha Durbar (the central administrative complex), the Supreme Court building, and the Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar. The headquarters of major political parties were vandalized, and several politicians’ homes were attacked.

Faced with escalating violence and mounting pressure, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation on September 9 and fled to an army barracks in Shivapuri. Multiple cabinet ministers also resigned, including Agriculture Minister Ram Nath Adhikari and Health Minister Pradip Paudel. The Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed due to the unrest.

Military Intervention and Curfew Implementation

With police forces overwhelmed, the Nepali Army took control of security operations, deploying troops in Kathmandu and other major cities. A nationwide curfew was imposed, initially from 4:25 PM on September 9, and subsequently extended multiple times. The military’s intervention marked a significant escalation, as the army is rarely mobilized for domestic security in Nepal.

The death toll continued to rise, reaching 30 protesters and 3 police officers by September 11, with over 1,000 people injured nationwide. During the chaos, more than 13,500 prisoners escaped from jails across the country, though soldiers successfully recaptured 303 of them.

The Search for New Leadership

As Nepal found itself without effective government, the Gen Z protest leaders began negotiations with the military to establish an interim administration. Through online discussions and voting, protesters initially selected former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as their preferred candidate for interim Prime Minister.

Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, emerged as a popular choice due to her reputation as an anti-corruption activist and her clean record. The protesters viewed her as representing the change they sought from traditional politics. Gen Z leader Ojaswi explained their reasoning: “Our country getting a first woman PM will be a beautiful thing. We want to choose her because she can help us build this nation”.

Current Status and Negotiations

As of September 12, 2025, Nepal remains under military control with extended curfew orders in the Kathmandu Valley. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Sushila Karki is likely to be appointed as interim Prime Minister, though discussions continue between protest representatives, the military, and President Ram Chandra Poudel.

The protesters have outlined their key demands: dissolution of the current parliament, elections within six months, and accountability for those responsible for the September 8 killings. They have also called for the formation of cleanliness committees across the country to help rebuild Nepal in coordination with the army.

However, some disagreement exists within the protest movement, with alternative candidates like electrical engineer Kulman Ghising and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah also being considered. The final decision on interim leadership remains pending as negotiations continue.

Regional and International Implications

The crisis has drawn significant attention from Nepal’s neighbors, particularly India and China, given the country’s strategic location between these major powers. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint and dialogue, urging thorough investigation into the violence.

Human Rights Watch has emphasized that the protests reflect “deep-seated frustrations with entrenched corruption, nepotism, and ineffective governance,” calling on authorities to address these underlying issues rather than simply maintaining law and order.

The events in Nepal follow a pattern of youth-led political movements in South Asia, similar to those that brought change in Sri Lanka (2022) and Bangladesh (2024). This suggests a broader regional trend of young populations demanding accountability and change from traditional political establishments.

The Hindu.

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