ALBAWABA- Nepal plunged into turmoil on September 9, 2025, as furious youth-led protesters stormed Kathmandu, setting fire to the Parliament building and the Prime Minister’s residence in one of the deadliest uprisings in recent years.
The unrest, driven largely by Gen Z activists, erupted after police killed at least 19 people and injured more than 300 in a brutal crackdown the previous day.
The protests began on September 8 after the government abruptly banned 26 social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and X, citing concerns over “misinformation.”
The move was widely perceived as an attempt to silence critics amid mounting revelations of corruption scandals, nepotism among political elites, and billions siphoned into Swiss banks while Nepal grappled with poverty and unemployment. The ban was lifted late on September 8 in a bid to calm tensions, but the demonstrations only intensified.
By September 9, protesters defied curfews, clashed with police, and torched government buildings, media houses, and residences of senior officials.
Reports indicate that the wife of a former prime minister was tragically burned alive when protesters set fire to his home. Demonstrators also vandalized the president’s residence and stormed the Supreme Court.
Amid mounting chaos, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, handing over security responsibilities to the Nepali Army.
The military has since tightened curfews, secured key sites including Kathmandu airport, and warned of possible jailbreaks and further disruptions. Human Rights Watch and other rights groups condemned the lethal police crackdown as excessive.
The movement, now dubbed the “2025 Nepal Gen Z Protests,” has transformed from outrage over digital restrictions into a nationwide anti-corruption revolt demanding systemic reforms and mass resignations. Protesters accuse Oli’s coalition of failing governance, nepotism, and suppressing youth voices.
The crisis carries serious geopolitical implications. Nepal, a strategic Himalayan buffer between India and China, faces regional scrutiny as instability risks spilling across borders.
India worries about refugee inflows and border security, while China, heavily invested in Belt and Road projects, suspects Western or Indian involvement in fueling the unrest.
Analysts warn that the political vacuum after Oli’s resignation could escalate regional tensions, disrupt trade routes, and invite external interference, echoing youth-led uprisings that toppled governments in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
