As dusk settled over Kathmandu on October 9, 2025, dozens of young Nepalis gathered outside the charred remains of the nation’s parliament building, their faces illuminated by flickering candlelight. The vigil marked a somber milestone: one month since a wave of youth-led protests over corruption, economic hardship, and a government-imposed social media ban erupted into the deadliest unrest Nepal has seen in years. What began as a demonstration against digital censorship quickly spiraled into nationwide fury, culminating in the deaths of at least 76 people and the toppling of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s government.
The momentum behind these protests has not waned. If anything, it has intensified. On Thursday, as the candlelight vigil honored those lost, police swarmed the Maitighar district of Kathmandu, arresting 18 members of the so-called "Gen Z" movement—including prominent activists Dr. Nicholous Bhusal and Surendra Gharti—who were demanding accountability for the violence that left dozens dead. According to PTI, chants of "Arrest Oli!" and "Justice for Gen Z!" rang out as demonstrators accused the authorities of "pretending to investigate" while shielding those in power.
The Gen Z movement, comprised largely of young Nepalis disillusioned by endemic corruption and restrictions on free expression, has grown into one of the largest anti-establishment uprisings in recent South Asian history. Their demands remain clear and unyielding: the arrest of former Prime Minister Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak, whom they blame for ordering the brutal police crackdown that ignited the violence. "The government has failed to meet even a single demand of Gen Z despite the change in leadership," protesters shouted, according to PTI.
The government, now led by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has responded with a mixture of concessions and crackdowns. Within days of the government's collapse in September, 73-year-old Karki—a former chief justice—was appointed caretaker leader to steer the country until new elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved parliament and called for a fresh mandate, hoping to restore stability. Yet, for many on the streets, the change in leadership has not translated into meaningful accountability.
Authorities have imposed travel bans on Oli and four other former senior officials as a commission investigates the unrest. In a move widely seen as a half-measure, the government established a three-member probe commission led by former justice Gauri Bahadur Karki to examine the "excessive use of force" against protesters. But skepticism remains high. Demonstrators argue that the commission is little more than window dressing, intended to placate public anger without delivering justice.
The events that led to this moment unfolded with startling speed. On September 8, 2025, thousands of youths—many affiliated with the Gen Z movement—took to the streets of Kathmandu to protest a brief ban on social media platforms, widespread economic hardship, and government corruption. The demonstrations were initially peaceful but quickly turned deadly when security forces allegedly fired live rounds into the crowds. Nineteen protesters were shot dead on the first day alone, according to India Today. The following day, police opened fire again, bringing the death toll to 76. The violence also saw government offices and the parliament building set ablaze, symbolizing the depth of public outrage and the collapse of the Oli administration.
For those who survived the crackdown, the wounds—both physical and emotional—remain fresh. Many are still receiving treatment. Activists like Nimesh Shrestha have dedicated themselves to visiting the wounded and raising funds for their care. "When I think of the people we lost, those still in bed... I just hope we never have to do this again," Shrestha told AFP.
The movement’s leaders are adamant that their struggle is far from over. "We are now in the second phase of the movement, until the election," said protester Yujan Rajbhandari, as reported by AFP. "We will not stop... The issues we raised about corruption and good governance are the priority." This determination was on full display at the candlelight vigil, where relatives of those killed joined the Gen Z youths in honoring the dead and vowing to continue the fight for justice.
Former Prime Minister Oli, ousted after serving four terms, has not faded quietly into the political background. On Thursday, he addressed his supporters, insisting that the only way to "put the country in the right direction" was to reinstate the parliament he claims was unconstitutionally dissolved. "To put the country in the right direction, there is no alternative but to move forward with a demand to reinstate the parliament that was unconstitutionally dissolved," Oli told his backers, according to AFP. The government’s travel bans and ongoing probe have done little to quell his calls for a political comeback.
Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister Karki has pledged to restore order, address demands for clean governance, and ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair. Speaking to Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad, she acknowledged the gravity of the moment: "The time has come for us to work day and night to address their expectations—we are facing opportunities and challenges," she said on October 8, 2025, as reported by AFP. "This government has the responsibility to firmly establish the country on the path of democracy and equitable prosperity."
The stakes could hardly be higher. Nepal, a nation still healing from past political upheavals and natural disasters, now faces a generational reckoning. The Gen Z movement’s persistence has forced a national conversation about accountability, transparency, and the rights of citizens in a democracy. Yet, the path forward remains fraught with uncertainty. Will the upcoming elections deliver the change so many Nepalis have risked their lives for? Or will the cycle of protest and repression continue?
For now, the memory of those lost—and the hope for a better future—fuels a movement that refuses to be silenced. As Anjila Basnet, a 25-year-old protester, put it to AFP: "The sacrifice of so many people should not go to waste."