Nepal in Flames: GenZ battle from classroom to street

Nepal in Flames: Just days after the government banned several social media platforms, Nepal erupted in flames. If you think the ban alone triggered the unrest, you may be misled or trapped in half-truths. The movement was spearheaded by Gen-Z, the youngest generation, who view protests as the ultimate way to voice their demands to the ruling government.

The protest began on Monday, September 8, 2025, and quickly spread nationwide, sparing almost no one from its influence. The government had silenced 26 social media accounts, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Yet, the question remains, were the protests really about social media alone? Gen-Z insists otherwise. Their demands highlight far deeper frustrations.

The government reasoned for banning social media accounts is for growing fake IDs and for curbing the increasing malicious practices on these social media platform. Though the government alleged to work for the benefit and betterment of the youth by taking this action, it is still suspicious to believe that the whole GenZ uproars because of this issue.

Their anger lies in systemic corruption, nepotism, and economic despair. Media reports exposed how ministers’ children enjoy lavish lives abroad, flaunting wealth on TikTok and Instagram, while the nation’s youth feel abandoned. This inequality, coupled with unemployment, became a rallying point. According to the Global Economic Report, Nepal’s youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) reached 20.82% in 2024, prime years for education and career-building, yet offering no opportunities.

These issues had been simmering for years, not days. Long-standing frustration finally exploded into nationwide protests. On September 8, the Nepal Army assumed responsibility for law and order by 10:00 pm. But the anger was unstoppable. Protesters stormed into the Parliament building inside the Singha Durbar complex, smashing windows and setting multiple chambers on fire. “The administration has never worked for us, breaking it down will mark a new beginning,” said 20-year-old student Mira Thapa.

This was not the end but the beginning. Within days, Prime Minister K. P. Oli resigned. Students from colleges across Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Itahari poured into the streets. Protesters torched the residences of PM Oli, Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and others. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, wife of former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba, was assaulted by a mob and later died when her house was set ablaze. Deputy PM and Finance Minister Prasad Paudel was chased and beaten, barely escaping. Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of another former PM, was brutally killed. The Home Minister also resigned, admitting: “I cannot continue in office while young people are dying in the street for a wrong decision.”

The system collapsed under the fury. International flights at Kathmandu were suspended, and curfews extended across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Enraged protesters vandalized shops, torched the Hilton Hotel in Kathmandu, and targeted properties linked to politicians. Party headquarters, both governing and opposition, were attacked. Even the Kantipur Media Group was vandalized. In Mahottari district, protesters breached a prison wall, freeing at least 500 inmates.

The battle came at a cost. At least 20 people were killed, and over 300 injured. Protesters lay down in front of official vehicles, made videos to draw global attention, and cried for help, but effective measures were missing.

Peace may eventually return, but who will ensure it remains unclear. Since adopting federal democracy in 2015, Nepal has struggled to complete a single full government term. Ironically, countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal rank high on the World Happiness Index, yet they have all faced recent nationwide protests that shook their systems to the core.

In 2024, a similar kind of protest have been made by the youth in Bangladesh resulting, the incumbent PM, Sheikh Hasina to oust and taking refugee in India. That protests was also led by the youngsters of the country against reservation system and corruption and similar activities like vandalizing, setting places on fire, and attacking ministers were the concerning highlights of the attack. Though the situation has been settled down in Bangladesh but the spark has not stopped as no conclusion came out.

And just within a year, Nepal’s Gen-Z jumped into the protest, more similar like of Bangladesh. While the demands can be hear, but the issues are unclear from governments  end from respective countries. The most important question left behind is does the Gen-Z are getting inspired from the protest from other nations to comply with their demand or is it just the young boiling blood leading to creates a mass protest.