Photo of the Nepali Congress in flames after the protests.
In an unprecedented social movement, thousands of young Nepalis from “Generation Z” carried out massive protests that resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and a drastic change in the political landscape of the country. The events began as a reaction to a government ban on 26 social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube among others), quickly transforming into a movement against corruption, economic inequality, abuse of power, and lack of transparency. Recent reports indicate a figure close to 70 dead, with hundreds more injured.
The protests erupted on September 8, 2025, and became violent within hours. Protesters were frustrated by years of economic stagnation and youth unemployment (affecting more than 20% of young people) and viewed the social media blockade as a direct attack on their freedom of expression. The viral campaign "#NepoKids" (referring to “children of nepotism”) played a key role, exposing the luxuries and privileges of the children of politicians and businessmen in a country where the average age is 25, and one-third of GDP depends on remittances from migrant workers. This trend on social media, which the government tried to censor with the ban imposed on September 4, only increased widespread discontent.
Acts of extreme violence were the only visible image of the protests. In Kathmandu, protesters set fire to key government buildings, including the Parliament headquarters, the Supreme Court, residences of prominent politicians, and offices of political parties. Nepal's finance minister was attacked in the street during the day of the protests, beaten, and forced to walk naked through the city, before being attacked by his relatives. The army was deployed to restore order, imposing indefinite curfews in major cities and temporarily closing Tribhuvan International Airport. During the unrest, prisons were attacked, allowing the escape of over 13,500 inmates, which exacerbated the chaos. The police responded with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in dozens of deaths in a single day.
On September 9, amid the chaos, Prime Minister Oli resigned along with several ministers, fleeing to a military barracks. Sources indicate that the army commander, Ashok Raj Sigdel, advised the resignation to prevent further escalation. The Parliament was dissolved by President Ram Chandra Poudel, and an interim government was formed, led by Sushila Karki, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and now the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister in Nepal's history. Karki, 73, took office on September 12 with a mandate to govern until the new national elections, scheduled for March 5, 2026. The social media ban was lifted on the same September 8, but tensions persist.
The impact of technology and Generation Z:
Interestingly, after the government collapse, Nepali politics migrated to alternative platforms like Discord, where more than 145,000 citizens debated the country's future. This "virtual parliament" even influenced Karki's selection as interim leader, with discussions broadcast on national television.
These incidents occurred during peak tourist season, representing a significant part of Nepal's economy. Massive reservation cancellations led to a 30% drop in tourist arrivals, with estimated losses of over 25 billion Nepali rupees (approximately $185 million) just in the hotel and related services sector, like restaurants and trekking agencies. Economists estimate that the total collateral damage could reach 3 trillion rupees, equivalent to the country's annual budget, affecting thousands of jobs.
Despite these challenges, pre-protest macroeconomic projections were optimistic. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimated GDP growth of 4.4% for fiscal year 2025, up from 3.9% the previous year, driven by improvements in agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and domestic trade. For fiscal years 2026 and 2027, growth is projected to be around 5.1%-5.5%, as long as stability is restored. Inflation remains moderate, but past natural disasters and the current political instability pose significant risks.
Political instability delays infrastructure and reforms, exacerbating inequality and unemployment. Youth leaders demand deep changes, while the rest of the world watches how digital youth redefine democracy in a vulnerable Nepal.
What do you think about what happened?
Were you aware of the situation in Nepal?
Comments