Nepal Gen Z protests 2025 happened after the ban on social media, in which there were deadly clashes in Kathmandu, Singha Darbar was burnt down and the whole country was thrown into a political crisis. Know how youth uprising is reshaping the politics and accountability of Nepal.
What happened in Kathmandu?
Wave of youth-led demonstrations began when the government banned many social platforms. During the protest on 8-9 September the police opened fire, killing at least 19 protesters. Reports of injuries and arrests reached hundreds.
Protesters then trafficked government complexes. Singh Durbar (the main administrative complex) and some parts of the federal parliament were set on fire when the crowd entered the ministerial office.
Who are the protesters — and why did they mobilize?
This movement has been named “Gen Z” because it mostly involves teens and children in their 20s. These people were exposing corruption, nepotism, and elite privilege using short-videos and online pages, due to this trends like “Nepo Babies” and “Nepo Kids” went viral. The ban on social media took away their main organizing space and sparked mass street action.
The demands were very simple: ban social media platforms, bring powerful people into accountability, and address joblessness and inequality. Organizers say the protests were spontaneous, and many participants were wearing school or college uniforms when firing took place on them.
Escalation, targets and human cost
Protesters targeted homes of senior politicians and state power symbols. According to local reports, former PM Jhala Nath Khanal’s house was burned down and his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, died of burns. Other senior figures, such as Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were also attacked. These accounts are still being verified from official sources.
Prisons were also breached in some areas of Kathmandu Valley; local reports say opposition leader Rabi Lamichhane, who was in jail, was also freed. Several media organisations are warning that casualty numbers and damage assessments are still incomplete and rescue + verification is ongoing.
Who is in charge now — and what role is the army playing?
After the resignation of the prime minister and several ministers, the Nepal army has taken steps to secure key sites and restore order. Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel made a public appeal for calm and said the forces will carry out security operations and encourage dialogue. Analysts say the army’s role for now is to stabilize the capital, not to take political power — but the situation is fluid.
Some rights groups and independent investigators are demanding an impartial inquiry regarding the police firing. Different outlets are giving different death numbers, some 19, some even more. That is why human-rights groups and journalists are still advising caution until the authorities verify the final figures.
Regional fallout and what comes next
India is watching closely. PM Narendra Modi chaired a security meeting and appealed for peace. Some airlines have suspended Kathmandu flights for now while the airport was temporarily closed due to smoke and safety concerns. Cross-border travel and diplomatic channels are now activated as New Delhi urges restraint.
The immediate task for Nepal is to restore security and launch credible probes into the shootings. In the long term, this crisis has raised questions about political accountability, youth representation in governance, and institutional reforms – so that such protests are not repeated again.
Final note
Arrests, exact death toll and further legal steps are still evolving. Where claims have come only from local or emergent reporting, I note. Independent verification and official statements are still pending.