The People’s Voice: Unrest Grows as Nepal Demands Accountability

Nepal’s Uprising

Furious over a violent crackdown, Nepali protesters defied a police-imposed curfew on Tuesday, September 9th, and flooded the streets of the capital, Kathmandu. Setting fire to the Supreme Court, parliament, and several other government buildings in an escalation of nationwide unrest. The protests, mostly led by Gen Z, have already resulted in the ousting of Nepal’s prime minister.

At least 22 people have been killed and hundreds more injured during this violent confrontation in the capital, officials say.  This unrest protest was initially sparked by the governments controversial ban on social media platforms but has grown into a broader uprising fueled by a everlasting frustration over corruption and a lack of economic opportunities.

The police, in returned responded with live ammunition, water cannons, and tear gas in an effort to disperse the crowds. Photos from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke billowing above the city skyline. Such violence has forced the closure of Nepal’s main international airport, as announced in a government notice on Tuesday afternoon.

Nepal Army deployed troops into Kathmandu later that evening. The army chief stated the move was necessary “to control the situation for the security of Nepal and Nepalis.”

Nepal, a nation of 30 million people, have been struggling through their political instability. Since abolishing its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008 following a decade-long civil war, the country has been cycled through dozens of governments.

However, this current wave of protests, driven by Gen Z, with participants ranging from ages 13 to 28 — marks the most intense civil unrest Nepal has witnessed in decades.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation, citing “the extraordinary situation” unfolding across the country, according to a resignation letter shared on social media by a senior aide.

Footage reported by Reuters appeared to show protesters storming Oli’s private residence, ransacking rooms, smashing furniture, and eventually setting parts of the property ablaze.

Here’s what we know so far about the turmoil shaking Nepal.

The Spark: Tragedy and Outrage

Public anger over what many see as decades of unchecked corruption had long been simmering in Nepal. That frustration exploded onto the streets of Kathmandu 3 weeks ago after the government abruptly banned access to major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X — a move condemned by rights groups as authoritarian and dangerous.

While the social media blackout served as the immediate spark, protest organizers say the demonstrations reflect far deeper, generational grievances over poor governance and a stagnant economy.

“While the main trigger for the protest was the recent social media ban, the long history of corruption and bad governance is the main reason that thousands of people have come out on the streets to protest,” said a 28-year-old protester who joined demonstrations on Monday and Tuesday.

“It was overwhelming to see such a huge turnout,  and the energy and anger of the people,” added the protester, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of government retaliation.

Nepal’s youth face bleak prospects: the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 stood at 20.8% in 2024, according to the World Bank. Economic discontent has been further stoked by a viral online backlash against so-called “Nepo Kids,” the children of political elites flaunting their wealth and privilege on social media. The campaign has underscored the stark divide between ruling families and ordinary citizens.

Compounding the economic pressure, Nepal remains heavily dependent on remittances. In 2024, personal remittances from Nepalis working abroad made up 33.1% of the country’s GDP, a figure that has steadily increased over the last three decades, according to the World Bank.

With mounting public outrage and a rising death toll, Nepal’s crisis shows no sign of easing.

A Deadly Turn

The protests intensified rapidly on Monday, just hours after they began, as demonstrators clashed with security forces outside the parliament complex in Kathmandu.

By Tuesday, at least 22 people had been confirmed dead, according to Dr. Mohan Regmi, executive director at Civil Service Hospital in Kathmandu, following a second consecutive day of large-scale demonstrations.

Nepal’s Health Ministry reported that more than 400 individuals, including members of the security forces, were hospitalized on Monday alone.

The violence has also targeted the media. The Kathmandu Post, one of the country’s leading newspapers, reported that its servers were offline Tuesday after its building was set on fire by protesters.

International concern is growing. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement on X, calling for calm and accountability:

“I call on the authorities to comply with human rights law. Protests must take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life & property.” He also urged a “thorough investigation” and called for restraint “to avoid further escalation of violence.”

Amnesty International condemned the government’s response, stating: “The use of lethal force against protesters not posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury is a grave violation of international law.”

The U.S. State Department, in an alert issued Tuesday, “strongly advised” all American citizens in Nepal to shelter in place and avoid travel until further notice due to the ongoing unrest.

An Increasing Pressure on The Government

The resignation of Prime Minister Oli on Tuesday came after a string of other officials quit over the government’s response to the protests. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned Monday following the violence, with the ministers for agriculture, water and health a day later.

In the hours after Oli stepped down, the Nepali Army appealed for a peaceful solution through dialogue, urging “all citizens to exercise restraint to prevent further loss of life and property in this critical situation.”

Later Tuesday, Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel urged demonstrators to “cooperate for a peaceful resolution” and called on youth protesters to “come to talk.”

With Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, the country faces an uncertain political future. Binay Mishra, a public policy analyst and assistant professor at Kathmandu University School of Management, the next step is for the president to call on parliament to form a new government.

However, no single party currently holds a clear majority, making the formation of an interim government the most likely scenario. According to Mishra, some Gen Z-led organizations, central to the recent protests, may be included in early discussions about interim leadership.

Before stepping down, Oli issued a public statement expressing sympathy for the protesters’ concerns. “My government is not negative toward the demands raised by the Gen Z generation,” he said, adding that he was “deeply saddened” by Monday’s events. He attributed the outbreak of violence to “infiltration by various vested interest groups,” though he did not specify which groups he was referring to.

Nepal’s New Prime Minister Leader?

Nepal swore in its first female prime minister on September 12 2025, appointing her as interim leader after a week of intense, youth-driven protests against corruption and nepotism that brought down the previous government and threw the country into political crisis.

Sushila Karki, 73, a former chief justice, emerged as an unexpected but symbolic choice backed by the Gen Z-led movement. What began as an online protest targeting the extravagant lifestyles of so-called “Nepo Kids” quickly escalated into the most violent social unrest Nepal has witnessed in years.

Support for Karki gained momentum through an informal vote held on the messaging platform Discord, where protest organizers and participants rallied around her candidacy.

Conclusion: A New Dawn for Nepal?

As Nepal rises for its future, it is also losing its sons and daughters. Protesters know they are putting their lives on the line for what they believe in,  and they are determined to continue until the government treats them with dignity and respect. One thing is clear: if Nepal continues on this path, it has the potential to succeed, transform its future, and inspire others to rise up for their basic human rights.