Nepal Protest: Nepal’s government faces an unprecedented crisis as massive Gen Z-led protests escalated Tuesday, with demonstrators setting fire to Parliament and vandalizing the residences of top political leaders, including President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
Nepal Government Under Siege
Protesters breached multiple high-profile targets across the Himalayan nation, damaging homes of former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with Energy Minister Deepak Khadka’s residence. Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators roaming through the President’s house, causing extensive damage.
The unrest has intensified pressure on Oli’s administration, with increasing numbers of ministers resigning and distancing themselves from the embattled government. Curfews remain in effect across several regions, including capital Kathmandu, as authorities struggle to contain the violence.
Deadly Escalation amid Nepal Protest
At least 19 people died Monday during violent clashes with law enforcement, transforming what began as protests against social media restrictions into broader anti-government demonstrations. The death toll has galvanized protesters, who demand accountability for the killings.
“We are here to protest because our youths and friends are getting killed, we are here to seek that justice is done and the present regime is ousted. KP Oli should be chased away,” said protester Narayan Acharya outside Parliament, according to Associated Press.
Fellow demonstrator Durganah Dahal compared the government’s tactics to authoritarianism: “We need to protest the killings of so many young ones and students, aimed directly at their heads by this Hitler-like KP Oli’s government. As long as this government is in power, the people like us will continue to suffer.”
Beyond Social Media Ban
While initially triggered by last week’s blocking of Facebook, X, and YouTube for failing to register with authorities, the protests have evolved into broader anti-corruption demonstrations. Protesters carried placards reading “Shut down corruption and not social media” and “Youths against corruption,” targeting nepotism within Nepal’s political establishment.
The demonstrations, dubbed the “protest of Gen Z” (people born 1996-2010), reflect deep frustration with systemic corruption and preferential treatment for politicians’ children, labeled “nepo kids” and “nepo babies” by protesters.
Despite Oli lifting the social media ban Monday, public anger continues escalating toward his administration.
