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Nepal protests: It’s Gen Z vs ‘nepo kids’

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:24:00 +0000

Security personnel and civilians stand near damaged structures in the aftermath of anti-government protests, near the India-Nepal border, in Banke district, Nepal, Wednesday, on September 10, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Ranju Darshana, a socio-political activist from Kathmandu, is anxious and furious. “Of course there is a lot of anger against the Nepo Kids. They flaunt their lavish lifestyle through their social media reels. Their swanky cars, posh bungalows, branded jewellery — everything seen on their posts. All of this while the ordinary Nepalese youth struggle to make ends meet, work 17 hours a day, try to find better employment opportunities. It is this outrage which burst onto the streets of Nepal. The Gen Z sought answers to corruption, to nepotism. But instead of addressing them, they pumped bullets in the chests of our little kids. How brutal could you be, to shoot at school kids in uniforms? 20 of our children died. How can people take this?” she asked.

Nepal protests LIVE: Army imposes nationwide restrictive orders

Ms. Ranju is based in Kathmandu, but is currently on a personal visit to California. Since the unrest broke in her country, she has been trying to prepone her return. “As soon as I get a ticket, I will be back home, with my people, in my land. I left just a few days ago, and am constantly in touch with everyone back home. Initially, the international media claimed that there was unrest against a ban on social media. That is not true. The GenZ protest was primarily against corruption and seeking accountability from the system. There was palpable anger against the Nepo kids,” she said.

Another youth from Kathmandu, who did not wish to be identified, claimed that anti-social elements entered the peaceful protests and caused violence. “We were only holding peaceful protests. Violence was not our intent. And yet, today, so many important buildings are burnt down. The President’s office, the houses of VIPs,” he said.

Nepal’s Gen Z protests: Democracy’s unravelling or democratic renewal?

“I had never seen Nepalese people get so violent in the past. This is shocking for me. But our people have been trying hard to find better means to survive,” said Ms. Ranju.

Meanwhile, a young woman journalist working with a State broadcasting radio channel recounted her horror of being stuck in the office in the VIP area where other buildings were set abalze. She, along with her colleagues, survived after being rescued by the Army.

Speaking of the fire at Singha Durbar, Yashoda Adhikari, reporter at Radio Nepal, the public service broadcaster of Nepal, said, “We were completely surrounded by fire, and it felt like we wouldn’t survive. The smoke was suffocating. After the Army opened the gate, we were able to escape. We ran, jumped, and finally got out safely. For some time, the flames were coming closer, and the sound of gas cylinders and generators could be heard. The smoke was so thick that it was hard to breathe. We had to hide ourselves. A moment later, we were able to contact the Army and the chief of security.”

‘This is a national movement now, not just Gen Z’: Nepali protester

When asked about the situation on Wednesday (September 10, 2025), she said, “Across the country, government offices, police offices, business establishments, leaders’ residences, Ministers’ houses, courts, commissions, and large companies have all been destroyed by fire. The main Singha Durbar is still burning. The Prime Minister, President, Ministers, and senior party leaders are hiding somewhere — there is no contact or information about their whereabouts. In some places, the fire is still spreading, but no one has come to extinguish it. The Army is deployed on the streets, and security is very tight. Media houses have also been attacked, though journalists are still arriving on the streets.”

Published – September 10, 2025 12:54 pm IST

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Nepal protests LIVE: Security tightened along Indo-Nepal border in wake of unrest

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 02:49:00 +0000

The Nepal Army on Tuesday took control of the Tribhuvan International Airport here after the agitators tried to enter its premises in the evening.

Flight services at the airport were partially suspended in view of the protests.

Air India, which operates six flights a day between New Delhi and Kathmandu, on Tuesday cancelled four flights. IndiGo and Nepal Airlines also cancelled their flights from Delhi to Kathmandu.

The army also took control of Singhdurbar, the government’s main secretariat building, after the protesters burnt houses inside the complex. The army entered the complex and took control after evacuating the protesters.

The army also intervened after a group of agitators tried to vandalise the gate of the holy Pashupatinath Temple.

-PTI

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Why Nepal’s Gen Z are protesting: what triggered the unrest, how government responded, and what we know so far

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:25:00 +0000

Thousands of Nepal’s youth hit the streets in unprecedented protests on Monday (September 8, 2025) following a sweeping government ban on major social media platforms. The unrest, which began with peaceful demonstrations, turned violent, leaving at least 19 dead and over 400 injured. Authorities imposed curfews in Kathmandu and other cities after protesters breached the Parliament premises and targetted the homes of politicians.

Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday as Gen Z-led protests escalated in Kathmandu and other parts of the country for a second consecutive day. Mr. Oli’s secretariat confirmed his resignation.

Also Read: Nepal protests LIVE updates: Social media ban lifted; death toll climbs to 19

What triggered the protests?

The immediate spark was the government’s decision on September 4 to block 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and YouTube, after they failed to comply with a deadline to register locally, appoint grievance handlers, and remove flagged content. Issuing a public notice, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology had said it “has ordered the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to make inactive all non-registered social media sites until they are registered.”

Who are the protesters and what are they demanding?

The protests, widely referred to as the “Gen Z protests,” have been driven largely by young Nepalis under the age of 30, many of whom gathered in school or college uniforms. Demonstrations were not formally aligned with political parties and were reportedly coordinated by Hami Nepal, a youth-focused non-profit established in 2015. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, an independent politician, who won the mayoral elections through his active social media campaign has been vocal in supporting the protests.

Alongside opposition to the social media ban, the protesters also raised concerns about corruption, nepotism and lack of accountability in governance, frequently using the phrase “nepo babies” to criticise perceived privilege within the political establishment.

What unfolded on the ground?

The protest began at 9 a.m. local time on Monday, with thousands gathering around Maitighar, a major intersection near the iconic Mandala monument in Kathmandu. Initially peaceful, the crowd turned chaotic as some participants, including alleged motorcycle-riding groups, broke through barricades to storm the Parliament complex.

Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Protesters reportedly retaliated with sticks and bottles. Tragically, at least 19 people died, many succumbing to injuries sustained during the clashes. At the same time, more than a hundred were hospitalised at Civil Hospital, National Trauma Centre, Everest Hospital and others. Among the injured, several were in critical condition, with gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

In response, authorities imposed curfews in areas around New Baneshwor, including the Parliament grounds and residences of the president and vice president, from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Why are Gen Z protesting beyond the ban?

Beyond the social media ban, the protests also reflected wider grievances among Nepal’s youth. Demonstrators highlighted corruption cases involving senior politicians, including a 2017 Airbus purchase deal that led to losses for the state airline and subsequent convictions following investigations by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

Reports from the protests also highlighted concerns over limited employment opportunities, economic dependence on remittances, and perceptions of inequality, which have fueled dissatisfaction among younger Nepalis.

What is the government’s position and what responses have followed?

The protests compelled an emergency cabinet meeting, after which the government revoked the social media ban, restoring access to all affected platforms. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli expressed regret over the bloodshed. A statement released by Mr. Oli defended the social media ban and blamed “infiltrators” for the violence. He also expressed sorrow over the deaths during the protests. An investigation panel has been ordered to report within 15 days on the causes and preventive measures.

Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has resigned following massive protests in the country. Mr. Lekhak submitted his resignation to Prime Minister K.P. Oli on Monday evening on “moral grounds,” a Minister said, following the deaths of 19 people during Gen Z protests in Nepal.

Communications Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung too resigned.

How has India responded?

As the uprising unfolded, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a cautionary advisory urging Indian nationals in Nepal to exercise restraint and follow local directives. India affirmed that it was closely monitoring the situation and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Security has been stepped up in several districts of Uttar Pradesh that share their borders with Nepal, following violent youth-led protests in the Himalayan nation over the ban on social media platforms.

Published – September 09, 2025 01:55 pm IST

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