Nepal is reeling from its deadliest political unrest in recent years as a wave of youth-led demonstrations—popularly known as the Gen Z protests—has gripped the nation. What began as outrage over a ban on social media platforms has escalated into violent anti-corruption protests that have shaken the country’s political foundations, toppled leadership, and opened a debate on the future of governance.

As of now, the death toll stands at 31, with the preliminary identities of 25 victims confirmed. The protests, led mostly by young Nepalis frustrated by corruption and economic stagnation, have also left more than a thousand injured. Amid the chaos, the demand for a transitional interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has emerged as the dominant voice of demonstrators.

Rising Death Toll and Growing Casualties

According to officials from the Department of Forensic Medicine at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, at least 31 people have lost their lives during the ongoing unrest.
Dr. Gopal Kumar Chaudhary, the department head, confirmed that postmortem examinations were carried out following international protocols. Families of missing persons are being shown bodies for identification, though detailed identities of all deceased cannot yet be revealed publicly.

The Ministry of Health and Population also confirmed over 1,033 injuries nationwide, with 253 people still hospitalized. Hospitals in Kathmandu, including the Civil Service Hospital (436 cases), the National Trauma Centre (161 cases), and Everest Hospital (109 cases), are handling the largest influx of patients. Emergency services remain on high alert as 28 hospitals across the country continue to treat victims of the violent clashes.

Why Are Young Nepalis Protesting?

Although the ban on 26 social media apps was the immediate spark, the underlying anger has been building for years.

• Corruption at the top: Allegations against political elites have festered. Many politicians and their families flaunt wealth online, stoking resentment among ordinary citizens.

• Poor economic prospects: While the World Bank reported Nepal’s GDP growth of 4.9% in H1FY25, young people argue that job creation remains sluggish. Inequality, worsened by climate change and natural disasters, continues to rise.

• Social media lifeline cut: With limited opportunities at home, thousands of young Nepalis leave annually for work abroad in GCC countries, Malaysia, and India. With nearly one-third of Nepal’s GDP driven by remittances from abroad, social media has been crucial for communication between families and for financial transfers. The ban, therefore, struck a nerve.

• Political distrust: Rumors of a “grand coalition” between Nepal’s largest parties—whose leaders are under corruption investigations—only deepened the perception of a broken system.

• “Nepo kids” controversy: The flaunting of lavish lifestyles by children of politicians on social media angered young people struggling with unemployment and rising costs.

Anger boiled over when protesters, many from the Gen Z demographic, took to the streets of Kathmandu, torching government buildings, the offices of major political parties, and even the private residences of former prime ministers.

Kathmandu in Flames: The Last Two Days of Violence

The protests reached their peak when Parliament and the Supreme Court were set ablaze. Charred vehicles, twisted metal, and smoldering debris filled the streets around the heart of Kathmandu’s political hub.

Spokesperson Ekram Giri confirmed:

“The fire has destroyed the entire infrastructure. Nothing is left.”

Army firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed the parliament’s main hall, with officials confirming that “nothing is left” of the infrastructure. Protesters also attacked ministers’ homes, including that of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

TV footage showed young volunteers cleaning debris from damaged buildings after the riots, while armoured vehicles patrolled empty streets under curfew. Firefighters remained deployed at several hotspots as the army cleared roads and maintained order.

Prohibitory Orders and Airport Closure

In response to the chaos, the Nepal Army imposed prohibitory orders across the Kathmandu Valley, extending them until Thursday morning. Public movement was allowed only in restricted time windows.

The Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, closed for a day due to unrest, reopened on Wednesday evening. Airlines from India, including Air India and IndiGo, announced additional flights to help stranded passengers return safely.

Who is Sushila Karki? The Protesters’ Choice for Interim Prime Minister

At the center of this political storm is Sushila Karki, a name gaining rapid traction among protesters as the preferred leader of a transitional government.

Born in Biratnagar on June 7, 1952, Karki has had a distinguished legal career:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from Mahendra Morang Campus (1972), Master’s in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University (1975), and a law degree from Tribhuvan University (1978).

• Career milestones: Began practice in 1979, became senior advocate in 2007, appointed as Ad-Hoc Justice at the Supreme Court in 2009, and later as permanent Justice in 2010.

• Chief Justice: Served as acting Chief Justice in 2016 and was appointed Nepal’s first female Chief Justice on July 11, 2016, holding office until June 2017.

• Landmark cases: Oversaw cases on transitional justice and electoral disputes, strengthening judicial independence.

Though an impeachment motion was once filed against her in 2017, it was withdrawn under public pressure. Her reputation for integrity and independence has now placed her at the forefront of protesters’ demands.

Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, initially seen as another possible candidate, has himself endorsed Karki, urging President Ram Chandra Paudel to dissolve parliament and form an interim government.

International Fallout and Regional Security Concerns

The unrest in Nepal has triggered ripples across the region:

• Distressed Indian Nationals: Videos surfaced of stranded Indians in Pokhara seeking embassy assistance. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed aid and shared emergency contact numbers. An Indian woman involved in a volleyball league in Nepal posted a distress video seeking help. The Indian Embassy in Nepal responded and offered emergency contacts: +977-9808602881, +977-9810326134.

• Indian Airlines Resume Flights: Air India and IndiGo announced special flights to evacuate stranded passengers, with fares kept at “reasonable levels.”

• Fuel Supply Halted: The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) recalled 310 fuel-laden trucks and tankers from Nepal after mobs set fire to customs offices near the Nepalgunj border. Over 225 trucks remain parked at the Rupaidiha Integrated Check Post until the situation stabilizes.

• Security Along the Border: Districts in Uttar Pradesh bordering Nepal, such as Bahraich, were placed on high alert. The border was sealed, and senior Indian officials inspected the area to prevent unrest from spilling across.

• Impact on Pilgrimage: The Indian Embassy in Beijing advised caution for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims traveling through Nepal, highlighting risks due to the ongoing crisis.

Political Uncertainty: What Happens Next?

Nepal now faces a political void, with no clarity on who will lead the country.

• Constitutional Path: The 2015 constitution requires a prime minister from the majority party in parliament. If no majority exists, the president appoints a leader who must win a confidence vote within 30 days. Failure leads to dissolution and fresh elections.

• Interim Government Debate: Although the constitution doesn’t provide for an interim government, experts suggest a consensus arrangement could be created. Constitutional scholar Bipin Adhikari noted that such a body could implement reforms and hold elections within six months.

• Army’s Role: The Nepal Army, led by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, has taken temporary charge, holding meetings with protest representatives. Analysts warn, however, that creating a legitimate transitional authority may prove challenging given the leaderless nature of the movement.

Other Potential Leaders

Apart from Sushila Karki, protesters may rally behind younger political figures:

• Balendra Shah (Balen Shah): The 35-year-old Kathmandu mayor, rapper, and urban reformer is immensely popular among youth. His clean-up campaigns have won wide acclaim.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A former TV journalist turned politician, Lamichhane leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Recently freed from prison during protests, he remains a polarizing yet significant figure in Nepalese politics.

The Bigger Picture: Gen Z’s Anger and Nepal’s Future

At its heart, the Gen Z protests are more than just a reaction to censorship. They reflect years of pent-up frustration:

• Disparities between rich political elites and struggling citizens.

• Rampant corruption and weak governance.

• Joblessness forcing youth migration abroad.

• Lack of trust in traditional party politics.

The movement also underscores the transformative power of social media, which not only mobilized protests but also exposed the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children—the so-called “Nepo Kids”—fueling public outrage.

Nepal stands at a historic crossroads. The Gen Z protests, the deadliest unrest in years, have not only claimed 31 lives but have also toppled the legitimacy of established political leadership. With protesters demanding Sushila Karki as interim prime minister, the country is bracing for a period of uncertainty where constitutional law, military oversight, and people’s aspirations collide.

Whether Nepal moves toward a new era of transparent governance or descends further into instability will depend on how swiftly and fairly its leaders—old and new—respond to the voices echoing from the streets of Kathmandu.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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