A social media movement led by Gen Z activists against the opulent lifestyles of Nepal’s political elite has culminated in the prime minister’s resignation and the country’s deadliest social unrest in years, leaving the nation’s future uncertain.
An uneasy calm settled over Kathmandu on Wednesday, with plumes of smoke rising above quiet streets patrolled by soldiers enforcing a nationwide curfew. The quiet followed two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people vent their fury, setting fire to parliament, the Supreme Court, and other key symbols of the state. According to the health ministry, the clashes have left 30 people dead and more than 1,000 wounded.
The unrest began in early September as a peaceful protest organized by young Nepalis. They voiced frustration over the children of politicians flaunting designer handbags and luxury travel online while many citizens struggled with a worsening youth unemployment crisis and limited economic opportunities. Anger had been simmering for years over the growing disparity between the country’s elite and its people. In a nation where the youth unemployment rate stands at nearly 21%, many are forced to work abroad, with personal remittances accounting for a third of the GDP, according to the World Bank.
The government’s decision last week to ban dozens of social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, acted as a catalyst. “The buildup of the frustration was what led to this movement,” protester Sareesha Shrestha told CNN, describing the ban as the “last straw.” For many, these platforms are a vital link to the outside world and to family members working overseas.
On Monday, thousands of young people, many in school uniforms, gathered at Maitighar Mandala, a monument in the heart of Kathmandu. The demonstration quickly spiraled into violence as protesters surged toward the parliament building, clashing with police who responded with live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas, according to Reuters. Nearly 19 people were killed in the initial clashes.
The government’s bloody crackdown sparked widespread outrage, causing the protests to swell on Tuesday as citizens of all ages defied curfews. The unrest escalated as demonstrators set fire to government buildings, including the Singha Durbar palace complex, which houses Nepal’s ministries. Protesters ransacked Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s private residence before setting it alight.
Amid the turmoil, Oli announced his resignation on Tuesday in a letter citing “the extraordinary situation” in the country. The Nepali Army subsequently appealed for a peaceful solution through dialogue, urging citizens to “exercise restraint to prevent further loss of life and property.”
Many of the original Gen Z protesters distanced themselves from the widespread destruction, which they blamed on opportunists. “They’re not just buildings,” Shrestha said, lamenting the damage to historic structures. “They carry our history, our legacy.”
With the government toppled, the path forward remains unclear. President Ramchandra Paudel has urged demonstrators to enter talks. Former chief justice Sushila Karki has emerged as a protester-backed candidate to head an interim government, though legal and constitutional hurdles remain. Protesters say they want to see new leadership with more youth representation.
Despite the movement’s success in ousting the prime minister, many activists harbor fears of reprisal from a rattled political establishment. “We are scared that students who protested peacefully will also be targeted,” a 24-year-old law student in Kathmandu said, requesting anonymity.
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