In September 2025, Nepal found itself at the epicenter of a generational revolt that would forever alter its political landscape. What began as a protest against a government-imposed social media ban quickly erupted into a full-scale uprising led by the country’s youth—predominantly Generation Z—culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and the dissolution of Parliament. The events that unfolded over those tumultuous days not only shook the foundations of Nepal’s fragile republic but also signaled a broader regional shift, as youth-led movements have toppled governments across South Asia in recent years.
The spark that ignited the powder keg came on the morning of September 6th, when a black SUV carrying a provincial minister from the ruling party struck eleven-year-old Usha Magar Sunuwar outside her school in Lalitpur and then sped away. According to The New Yorker, Prime Minister Oli dismissed the incident as a “normal accident,” a response that was widely perceived as emblematic of the political elite’s disregard for ordinary citizens. This sense of impunity, coupled with a controversial ban on 26 popular social media and messaging platforms—including Facebook and X—fueled widespread anger. The government’s stated reason was non-compliance with new regulations, but many Nepalis saw it as an attempt to muzzle dissent, especially as almost half the country relies on social media for communication and commerce.
By September 8th, cities across Nepal were flooded with thousands of young protesters demanding the reversal of the ban and an end to corruption and nepotism. The movement, self-identified as “Gen Z,” was in reality more diverse—one of its key organizers, Sudan Gurung, was a 36-year-old millennial. Nevertheless, the youth were at the forefront, wielding both online and offline tools to mobilize support. Protesters blocked roads, stormed government buildings, and set fire to symbols of state power, including Singha Durbar, the health ministry, Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Presidential palace, and the Prime Minister’s residence. Private properties, such as the offices of the ruling Communist Party and the Kathmandu Hilton, were also targeted.
The government’s response was swift and brutal. Security forces fired live ammunition at demonstrators, resulting in at least 19 deaths on September 8th alone, most of them in Kathmandu. Over the course of two days, the death toll climbed to 72, including three policemen, and more than 2,000 people were injured. Among the dead were 19 young activists whose deaths became a rallying cry for justice and accountability. As reported by France 24, the protests were not just about the social media ban. They were the culmination of years of frustration over corruption, nepotism, and economic hardship in a country where youth unemployment stood at 20.8% and where remittances from abroad make up a third of the GDP.
With the capital in flames and the government’s authority collapsing, Prime Minister Oli resigned and vanished from public view. By September 10th, Nepal had descended into lawlessness, with the Army stepping in as the only institution capable of restoring order. The President, Ram Chandra Poudel, was forced to appoint an interim Prime Minister, dissolve Parliament, and announce new elections within six months. The appointment of Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first woman chief justice, as interim Prime Minister was seen as a nod to the protesters’ demands for clean governance and reform. Karki, 73, quickly expanded her interim cabinet from four to nine members, bringing in experts from law, science, media, agriculture, and other fields in an effort to restore public trust and tackle the nation’s immediate crises.
Karki’s cabinet included figures such as Anil Kumar Sinha, a former Supreme Court justice who took on three key portfolios; Mahabir Pun, an innovator in science and technology; Madan Prasad Pariyar, a climate and agriculture expert; Jagdish Kharel, a veteran media professional; and Sangita Mishra, a health ministry veteran. Rameshore Khanal (finance), Kulman Ghising (energy), and Om Prakash Aryal (home affairs) rounded out the team. The interim government’s first actions included lifting the social media ban and announcing financial aid of NPR 10 lakh (about ₹1 million) for the families of victims.
One of the Gen Z movement’s core demands was a thorough investigation into the violence and deaths that occurred during the protests. The interim government responded by establishing a three-member probe panel led by former Supreme Court judge Gauri Bahadur Karki. The commission, which also includes ex-Additional Inspector General of Police Bigyan Ran Sharma and legal expert Bishweshwor Prasad Bhandari, was given three months to deliver a comprehensive report. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal emphasized the need for impartiality and transparency, acknowledging the pain and anger that had fueled the protests. The findings of this probe are expected to play a crucial role in shaping both legal accountability and the broader national dialogue about governance and justice.
President Poudel, speaking on Constitution Day to mark the tenth anniversary of Nepal’s constitution, described the country as “entering a new path of change with new dreams.” He offered condolences to the families of the deceased, declared 59 students and civilians killed in the protests as martyrs, and called for unity, job creation, environmental sustainability, and social justice. According to Kathmandu Post, Poudel’s message was clear: the nation must come together to support the interim government’s efforts to restore order and prepare for elections.
Yet, the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty. Eight political parties have denounced the new dispensation as “undemocratic and unconstitutional,” demanding the resumption of Parliament. The Federation of Nepali Journalists, which had opposed the social media ban from the start, joined the call for a return to democratic norms. Observers, including Reuters and Outlook India, have noted that while the Gen Z uprising succeeded in toppling a government, the true test will be whether the interim administration can deliver on its promises of reform, justice, and inclusion.
For a country that has transitioned from monarchy to republic, abolished untouchability, and made strides in representation for marginalized groups, the events of September 2025 are both a continuation of and a rupture from its recent history. The revolutionaries of today must grapple with the failures of past uprisings and the complexities of governing a diverse, divided society. As Nepal stands at this historic crossroads, the world watches to see if the energy of its youth can be translated into lasting, equitable change—or if, like its neighbors, it will succumb to the disappointments that have followed other revolutions in the region.
The coming months will reveal whether Nepal’s new leaders can turn tragedy into transformation and fulfill the aspirations of a generation determined to shape its own future.