In a remarkable and turbulent turn of events, Nepal has witnessed its most significant political upheaval in decades, as mass anti-corruption protests—sparked by a government crackdown on social media—have led to the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the rise of the country’s first woman interim prime minister, and a nation grappling with tragedy and hope in equal measure.
The crisis began when the Nepali government, in a controversial move, banned 26 popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. The decision, which authorities claimed was necessary for national security, was seen by many—especially the country’s youth—as an outright assault on freedom of speech. According to Nepal News, protests erupted with unprecedented fury as Generation Z, frustrated by corruption, unemployment, and the perceived attack on their digital lifelines, poured into the streets with banners and chants.
“The parliament of Nepal right now is Discord,” 23-year-old content creator Sid Ghimiri told the New York Times, referencing the US-based group-chat platform that became a digital headquarters for the movement. Over 145,000 activists joined a dedicated Discord server, debating and voting on the future of their country in real time. As reported by NDTV, the platform hosted multiple polls to nominate a leader who could bridge the gap between the old guard and a new, more transparent era. Amid these digital deliberations, one name rose above the rest: Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former chief justice renowned for her fierce anti-corruption stance and unwavering integrity.
The protests, however, were anything but peaceful. According to Nepal’s health ministry, as cited by Yonhap, the death toll from the unrest has climbed to 72, with search teams still recovering bodies from shopping malls and other buildings set ablaze during the violence. Over 2,100 people were injured, making this the worst unrest the country has seen in decades. “Bodies of many people who died in shopping malls, houses and other buildings that were set on fire or attacked are now being discovered,” health ministry spokesperson Prakash Budathoki explained.
Violence swept through Kathmandu and beyond as demonstrators toppled barricades, looted businesses, and torched government offices and private residences—including those of President Ramchandra Paudel and ex-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Protesters also set fire to the historic Singha Durbar palace, damaged airports, and even targeted a TV news station building. Security forces responded with live bullets, tear gas, and batons, further fueling public anger and chaos. The government’s attempt to quell dissent by force only deepened the resolve of the protestors, many of whom were in their teens and twenties.
As the unrest escalated, the prime minister and four of his ministers resigned, leaving a power vacuum at the heart of Nepali politics. The military swiftly took control of the capital, enforcing a strict nationwide curfew that was only briefly relaxed to allow citizens to buy essential supplies. With the government in shambles and the public demanding change, the Discord-based civic group Hami Nepal and other protest leaders negotiated with President Paudel and Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel to appoint an interim leader who could restore order and credibility.
The consensus was clear: Sushila Karki, whose reputation for honesty and judicial independence had survived even a controversial impeachment attempt during her tenure as chief justice, would be sworn in as interim prime minister. Karki’s judicial career is marked by landmark cases, including the conviction of a sitting Information and Communications Minister for corruption and the overturning of a government appointment of a police chief. Her steadfastness in the face of political pressure earned her widespread respect. Notably, when an impeachment motion was filed against her in 2017, public demonstrations in support of judicial independence led to the Supreme Court halting the proceedings and the withdrawal of the charges.
As one of her first acts in office, Karki dissolved Nepal’s parliament and scheduled new general elections for March 5, 2026. This bold move, according to reports from NDTV and Nepal News, was designed to give the country a chance to reset its political landscape and allow the people’s voice to be heard through the ballot box. Karki’s own history as a democracy activist runs deep; both she and her husband, Durga Prasad Subedi, were imprisoned during the 1990s people’s movement that ended Nepal’s absolute monarchy and abolished the panchayat system. Karki later chronicled her experiences in the novel Kara, while her husband, a former youth leader of the Nepali Congress, was also jailed for his alleged role in a dramatic airline hijacking to fund the anti-monarchy struggle.
Despite the violence and loss, there are signs of fragile recovery. Drone footage from Kathmandu, shared on September 14, 2025, shows the city slowly returning to normalcy just days after the protests concluded. The police force has resumed operations in the Kathmandu Valley, and the Supreme Court and banks are gradually reopening after suffering significant damage. The mood in the capital is somber but cautiously optimistic, as families mourn their loved ones—many of whom were honored in candlelight vigils outside the morgue of Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, as captured by EPA/YONHAP.
The scale and spontaneity of the protests, and the subsequent use of digital platforms like Discord for political organization, mark a turning point in Nepali democracy. Never before has Nepal’s youth so forcefully asserted its will, nor has technology played such a direct role in shaping the nation’s political future. The interim government now faces the daunting task of restoring public trust, rebuilding damaged institutions, and ensuring that the upcoming elections are free, fair, and representative of the people’s aspirations.
Yet, challenges remain. The wounds from the violence are fresh, and the memory of the government’s crackdown on both speech and protest lingers. With over 2,000 injured and many still receiving medical care, the road to healing will be long. The international community, meanwhile, watches closely, wary of instability but hopeful that Nepal’s experiment with digital democracy and grassroots activism might offer a model—however imperfect—for other nations grappling with similar crises.
As Nepal’s streets grow quieter and its institutions begin to function once more, the country stands at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming months will determine not just the fate of its next government, but the very character of its democracy for generations to come.