Following a week of deadly protests and violence across Nepal, the army has regained control of the capital Kathmandu. The unrest, sparked by anger over social media bans and corruption, led to 30 deaths and the escape of over 13,500 prisoners. Negotiations have begun between protest leaders and the military, though no decisions were reached, while a former Chief Justice is considered a potential interim leader. The demonstrations, largely driven by the “Gen Z” movement, resulted in widespread destruction of government buildings, prompting concerns about the country’s democracy and calls for restraint from international organizations.
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Protests against corruption in Kathmandu culminated in the destruction of the Hilton Kathmandu, Nepal’s tallest hotel, during escalating demonstrations. The hotel, targeted amid attacks on government buildings and residences, was set ablaze. This destruction of the landmark, which represented Nepal’s hospitality ambitions, prompted widespread reactions online. The 176-room hotel, with an ₹8 billion investment, was built by the Shanker Group and opened in July 2024 to elevate Nepal’s international hospitality.
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Protests in Nepal reflect widespread discontent with the political class, leading to the vandalism of government officials’ property and leaders seeking refuge with security forces. Although Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stepped down, no immediate successor or alternative governance structure has been established, creating a power vacuum. With a lack of leadership, there is a risk of escalating violence, potentially necessitating the involvement of the respected Nepalese army. The situation is further complicated by the public’s dissatisfaction with the entire political class, fueled by years of political instability and mismanagement. Therefore, the immediate priority is restoring order within the nation.
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In Nepal, Gen Z protesters stormed Parliament and set fire to a building just before Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned. Demonstrations, sparked by a social media ban, led to the burning of Oli’s residence and the Singha Durbar premises, along with the deaths of nineteen people, and over 300 injured. Flights at Tribhuvan International Airport were canceled due to security concerns amid escalating violence, which also led to the vandalism of the Nepali Congress central office. Authorities imposed curfews and the India-Nepal border was placed on alert due to the unrest.
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In Nepal, violent protests resulted in the tragic death of Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, after protesters set fire to their home. Reports indicate that Chitrakar was rescued but succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The protests, sparked by the killing of 19 youths by security forces, also led to widespread destruction, with protesters setting ablaze key government buildings, including the Parliament and President’s office. The unrest extended to the homes and offices of numerous political figures, including the Prime Minister, fueled by anger over corruption.
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Nineteen killed in Nepal in ‘Gen Z’ protest over social media ban, corruption, and the Reuters headline really isn’t telling the whole story, is it? It’s like, sure, the social media crackdown may have lit the fuse, but the bomb itself was packed with years and years of pent-up anger over something far more fundamental: deep-seated government corruption. To just focus on the social media angle makes it sound like a bunch of teenagers are throwing a tantrum because they can’t post selfies. That completely misses the point.
The protests, from what I gather, are fueled by the very real issues of corruption, nepotism, and a general lack of good governance that’s been plaguing Nepal for a long time.… Continue reading
Protests erupted in Nepal, resulting in at least 19 deaths and dozens injured, sparked by a government-imposed ban on social media platforms like Facebook and X, and widespread dissatisfaction with government corruption. Demonstrators, predominantly from Generation Z, gathered near the parliament building in Kathmandu, leading to clashes with security forces who employed water cannons, batons, and rubber bullets. The government defended the ban as a measure to regulate fake news, hate speech, and online fraud, while protesters viewed it as an attempt to silence dissent and voiced concerns over rampant corruption and the government’s failure to address economic issues. Curfews were implemented in affected areas, and the army was deployed, while the ban continues, with some platforms reactivated after registering with the ministry, and content against the ban still circulating, particularly on TikTok.
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Reports indicate a tragic event unfolded in Baneshwar where police opened fire on a Gen Z protest. The demonstrations, focused on concerns over social media limitations and governmental corruption, were met with aggressive force. Tragically, the police response resulted in 14 fatalities. Authorities employed live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the protesters.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood