Protests and Pain: The Plight of Nepal’s Principled Protesters

Nishka Atha
Sep 15
5 min read

The Nepal protests that have been led by Generation Z are a turning point in the nation's social and political movement. The protests started as an immediate response to the government's sudden prohibition on 26 large social networking sites on September 4, 2025, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

Officially, this prohibition was put into effect for failure to meet newly proposed registration and regulatory criteria. But for a large fraction of Nepal's youth, the ban was representative of a larger trend of government overreach, censorship, and unwillingness to address chronic corruption. The citizens, already weighed down by economic grievances like high unemployment levels, estimated at almost 20%, and restricted domestic opportunities, saw the ban as a tipping point.

This digital shutdown also cut off essential links for millions of Nepali overseas migrant workers, adding economic and emotional strain to families reliant on foreign remittances.

Spontaneously organized on a majority basis through available channels such as TikTok, the youth organized what became the biggest wave of demonstrations since Nepal became a democratic republic in 2008. The first, mostly peaceful and symbolic, protests on September 8 involved thousands of students in Kathmandu and other urban centers dressed in school and college uniforms and waving books to emphasize their adoption of nonviolence and education as a force for change. They took to the streets with placards that carried such slogans as "Shut down corruption, not social media" and "Youth against corruption." These slogans echoed a profound irritation not just with the ban on social media but with broader issues like nepotism, economic stagnation, and the lavish lifestyles of politicians' children, publicly known as "nepo kids", that underscored dramatic inequalities in Nepalese society.

The situation got out of hand quickly on the afternoon of September 8th as security forces clashed with the protesters outside the Federal Parliament building. Forces used tear gas, water cannons, and by credible accounts, live ammunition against rising tensions.

This brutal suppression led to the killing of at least 19 young demonstrators and left hundreds more wounded, most of whom were from Kathmandu and a further two fatalities in the eastern city of Itahari. Hospitals were stretched to the limit by the high number of injuries, and the recourse to violence dismayed international onlookers as well as local citizens. Human rights groups have decried the security crackdown, underlining the need for restraint and lawfulness in dealing with protesters in order not to result in loss of life.

According to data issued by Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population, the official death toll has increased to 51 as of September 13th, including three police officers and an Indian national. Thirty fatalities were caused by gunshot wounds, while over 1,300 people have been reported injured nationwide. Other causes of death include severe burns and other injuries. Hospitals in Kathmandu have started returning the bodies of those killed in the protests to their families and are performing post-mortem examinations.

While the mainstream youth movement called for peaceful demonstrations, the night saw instances of violence that could be attributed to radical elements or groups looking to gain mileage out of the upheaval.

Arson, property damage, and even a mass prison escape have brought attention to the crisis's instability, and unrest is still occurring in the capital and other large cities. The Parliament building, key political homes, including that of the Prime Minister's, and media outlets were attacked by incidents of arson and vandalism.

After several jailbreaks, nearly 13,000 inmates are still at large, although more than 1,400 escaped inmates have been apprehended by authorities thus far. Only emergency vehicles and travelers are allowed to move during curfew hours, which are still in effect in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas. While negotiations between protest leaders and the government continue to be tense, the Nepal Army maintains order by continuing its patrols and restricting media freedom.

All these added complexity to the narrative and discomfited the protest leaders who had gone out of their way to disassociate themselves from such means.

Politically, the impact was immense. In response to the mounting violence, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned within hours, taking responsibility on moral grounds for the actions of the government.

The next day, September 9, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amidst public pressure and across-the-board demands for accountability. The government rolled back the social media blockages, recognizing the role of the crackdown in fueling tensions.

Additionally, curfews were enforced in capital cities, and the Nepalese military was sent out to maintain order and suppress further violence.

Sushila Karki, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court, was appointed as Nepal's first female prime minister, marking a significant political milestone.

Her appointment as interim (until further notice) leader is seen as a reaction to constant pressure from young activists as well as public calls for reform. Negotiations are still in progress as protest leaders look for agreement and legitimacy for the temporary government, even as some opposition parties and civil society organizations demand the full dissolution of parliament and more extensive structural reform.

These developments reveal deep undercurrents in the socio-political life of Nepal, indicating the growing frustration of a new generation not willing to tolerate corruption and political indifference. The protests not only revealed failures of government but also indicated a generational call for transparency, economic opportunity, and respect for democratic rights.

Steps taken:

International organizations, such as the United Nations and International Human Rights groups, have urged detailed investigations into the excessive use of force and asked Nepal's leadership to resume constructive dialogue with youth representatives to restore trust.

For the victims' families, protesters, and broader Nepalese population, the protests have become a turning point filled with sorrow and hope. The loss of young lives has greatly increased demands for political reforms and social justice. Ahead, Nepal will be confronted with the daunting task of reforming the underlying structural problems that fueled protests while fostering an inclusive political environment that respects peaceful protests and accepts the youth's demands. The Gen Z protests thereby mark a crucial juncture, reflecting at once, the bitter price of activism in Nepal and the determined nature of a generation seeking real change.

Conclusion:

The intensity of the frustration that Nepal's youth are expressing is attributable to systemic failings, deep-seated inequalities, and disconnection between the state and the people it represents. The way in which Nepal plays this turning point will determine the course of its democracy for generations to come. Genuine progress can only be achieved with consistent dedication to transparency, governance that includes all, and economic empowerment. The determination and resilience of the youth require their voices to be heard not just as a call for change but as support pillars of Nepal's future.

TLDR: Timeline of Important Events September 4, 2025: The Nepalese government banned 26 major social networking sites.

September 8, 2025: The first mass protests erupted; they were peaceful in daytime, but turned violent outside the Federal Parliament building by afternoon. Security forces use live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons.

Evening, September 8, 2025: At least 19 protesters were killed, and hundreds were injured. Hospitals were stretched. Incidents of arson and vandalism took place.

September 8-9, 2025: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned; curfews enforced; increase in the death toll; many prison breaks took place.

September 9, 2025: Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned. The government rolled back the social media ban.

September 9-12, 2025: Major government residences and parliament building attacked and burned; media freedom was restricted; Nepal Army conducted patrols; negotiations between protest leaders and officials continued.

September 12, 2025: Sushila Karki appointed as Nepal's first female interim prime minister.

September 13, 2025: Official death toll reaches 51 with over 1,300 injured and several thousand prisoners still at large. Curfews remain.

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