On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Nepal awoke to a new chapter in its history as Sushila Karki, the nation’s first woman prime minister, took office amid the smoldering aftermath of the country’s deadliest protests in decades. The Himalayan nation, renowned for its breathtaking mountain vistas and resilient people, has been rocked by days of violent demonstrations that left at least 72 dead, hundreds injured, and much of Kathmandu’s government district in ruins.
As reported by Reuters and the Associated Press, Karki’s swearing-in comes after a week that saw the country teeter on the brink. The protests, dubbed the “protest of Gen Z,” erupted on September 8 following a short-lived social media ban. For many young Nepalis, the ban was the final straw in a country already buckling under the weight of corruption, poverty, and glaring inequality. The children of political leaders—dubbed “nepo kids”—flaunted their wealth on social media, fueling resentment among a generation struggling to find work and hope.
The demonstrations quickly escalated from peaceful marches to full-blown chaos. Tens of thousands, mostly young people, swarmed the streets of Kathmandu and other cities. On September 9, as anger boiled over, protesters stormed the parliament building, and police responded with gunfire. By the end of the day, the prime minister’s headquarters—a stately white palace in the heart of the capital—was engulfed in flames. The offices of the president, the supreme court, government ministries, and police stations suffered similar fates. Even the homes and businesses of prominent political families, including several branches of a popular supermarket chain, were not spared.
With the city in turmoil, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli resigned and fled his official residence. The army imposed order late that night, rolling into the streets to restore a tense calm. According to the AP, negotiations among protest leaders, the army, and President Ramchandra Paudel began almost immediately. The focus: an interim government that could guide Nepal through its darkest hour in recent memory.
On Friday, September 12, after days of intense talks, 73-year-old Sushila Karki was named interim prime minister. Her appointment was announced by President Paudel, who also dissolved parliament and set new elections for March 5, 2026. Karki, a respected former chief justice known for her tough stance against corruption, had not sought the job. “My name was brought from the streets,” she told officials at her temporary office, as reported by Reuters. “We have to work according to the thinking of the Gen Z generation. What this group is demanding is the end of corruption, good governance and economic equality.”
In her first public remarks, Karki called for unity and healing. “We all need to get together to rebuild the country,” she declared, urging calm and pledging to get Nepal back on track. She assured the nation that the government would care for the wounded and announced that each family of slain protesters would receive 1 million rupees (about $11,330) in compensation—a gesture meant to ease the pain and signal a break from the impunity of the past.
On Sunday, Karki led a minute of silence for those lost. The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed the death toll at 72 and noted that efforts were still underway to recover bodies from burned-out buildings and other sites of violence. “Bodies of many people who died in shopping malls, houses and other buildings that were set on fire or attacked are now being discovered,” said ministry spokesperson Prakash Budathoki. Families gathered at Kathmandu’s Teaching Hospital, waiting to reclaim the remains of loved ones. “While his friends backed off [from the protests], he decided to go ahead,” recalled Karuna Budhathoki, speaking of her 23-year-old nephew. “We were told he was brought dead to the hospital.”
Behind the scenes, activists and civil society leaders scrambled to shape Nepal’s next steps. Sudan Gurung, founder of the NGO Hami Nepal (We Are Nepal), emerged as a prominent voice during the protests. “I will make sure that the power lies with the people and bring every corrupt politician to justice,” Gurung promised. According to Hami Nepal members, Gurung and his team were in meetings to help decide key positions in the interim government.
International human rights organizations were quick to weigh in. In a joint statement, groups including Amnesty International urged Nepal’s new leaders to end the “impunity of the past.” Isabelle Lassee of Amnesty International warned, “Nepal is at a turning point where the hard work of securing human rights for all could be built upon or sent into reverse.”
Karki’s appointment was widely seen as a move to restore trust and bridge a generational divide. As AP noted, she was the country’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, earning a reputation for integrity and independence. Her pledge to serve only until the March elections—“We will not stay here more than six months in any situation. We will complete our responsibilities and pledge to hand over to the next parliament and ministers,” she said—was intended to reassure a skeptical public wary of political maneuvering.
The scale of the destruction and loss was staggering. The old palace that housed the prime minister’s office, a symbol of Nepal’s political heritage, was gutted. The offices of the president and the supreme court, once seen as pillars of stability, were blackened shells. Key ministries and police stations lay in ruins. For many Nepalis, these images were a stark reminder of how quickly anger and frustration can turn to violence—and how fragile the country’s hard-won gains remain.
The protest of Gen Z was unprecedented in its scope and intensity. Sparked by a seemingly minor policy—a temporary social media ban—it tapped into deep reservoirs of discontent. The sight of “nepo kids” flaunting luxury cars and designer clothes on Instagram while millions struggled to afford basic necessities was, for many, intolerable. The protests were not just about internet freedom; they were a cry for justice, accountability, and a new social contract.
As Nepal begins the arduous process of rebuilding, the challenges are immense. The interim government must restore basic services, rebuild shattered institutions, and prepare for elections in less than six months. The wounds—physical, emotional, and political—will take far longer to heal.
Yet for all the tragedy and loss, there is a sense of possibility. In the words of Sushila Karki, “We all need to get together to rebuild the country.” Whether Nepal’s leaders and citizens can seize this moment and chart a new course remains to be seen. But for now, the world is watching—and hoping—that the Himalayan nation can rise from the ashes, united and renewed.