Nepal’s Quest for Social Justice and Equity

Nepal's central administrative complex, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu. Courtesy of Getty Image

On September 8, Nepal experienced one of the most dramatic political uprisings in its modern history. What began as a protest against an abrupt social media blockade escalated into five days of riots, resulting in more than 70 deaths, billions of dollars in damages, and the resignation of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli. Within a week, a caretaker government assumed power and found itself responsible for 30 million constituents grappling with the sudden power shift. For many Nepalis, the so-called Gen Z revolution was more than an outburst of anger: it was a reckoning, a demand for dignity, and evidence that young voices can shape history, even in fragile democracies.

A Country Ignites

On September 8, thousands of young protesters, mostly teenagers and college students, flooded the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, and surrounded the federal parliament building.  Angered by the government’s order four days earlier to block 26 social media sites — including Facebook, X, YouTube, and WhatsApp — over alleged non-registration under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology's new rules, the protestors chanted against corruption and government overreach. For a generation that is deeply connected online, the ban felt devastating. “It was like the state had pulled the plug on our very lives,” a student told Time magazine.

By nightfall, the protest turned violent as police used rubber bullets, tear gas, and live rounds against the protestors. At least 19 protestors died and hundreds were injured. In response to the devastation, the government lifted the ban. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who oversaw the government’s response to the protests through Nepal Armed Police Force, and was executively responsible for internal security decisions, including curfews, internet restrictions, and crowd-control measures–resigned, but the damage had already been done. Crowds that had initially demanded internet freedom now called for the complete dissolution of parliament and the removal of Prime Minister Oli.

Five Days That Shook Nepal

The next day, protesters set fire to government offices in Kathmandu, including Singha Durbar, the old administrative headquarters, and the Supreme Court. Flames spread to the parliament building, the president’s residence at Sital Niwas, and the prime minister’s compound in Baluwatar. Helicopters flew in to rescue politicians and their families, with viral footage from NDTV showing ministers hanging onto rescue slings.

Protestors’ anger extended to the personal homes of government officials. Crowds targeted the residences of Sher Bahadur Deuba and Arzu Rana Deuba, and cornered Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel in the capital, from where they pushed him into a river nearly nude. “That image of Paudel in his underwear, thrashing in the river, will haunt the political class for years,” a political analyst told The New Humanitarian.

By September 10, unrest had spread beyond Kathmandu. In Pokhara, authorities found the bodies of two civilians: 26-year-old Swasthani Khadka, and 35-year-old Sanju Nagarkoti, according to Kaski Police. in a burned house. Across Nepal, 13,000 prisoners escaped as mobs broke into jails and police officers withdrew from their posts, although over half were recaptured by security forces in the following days.  In spite of the violence, however, protestors continued to organize, using Discord, an online chat platform, protestors brainstormed interim leaders, ultimately landing on Sushila Karki, a former chief justice known for integrity.

On Sept. 11, more protests led to an additional 34 deaths and 1,300 injured. Nepal’s Communist party, the Maoist Center — which has strongly opposed Oli’s Unified Marxist-Leninist party (UML) — declared its support for the youth-led uprising. On the same day, Sushila Karki was appointed as an interim leader to navigate the crisis, becoming Nepal’s first female prime minister. Additionally, President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved the parliament and scheduled emergency elections for March 5, 2026.

By September 13, curfews instated during the protest period were eased, and Kathmandu, though still bearing scars of unrest, began preparing for a new chapter. In just five days, protesters toppled a government, humiliated leaders, and pushed Nepal into uncharted political territory.

Roots of Rage

The fury behind Nepal’s protests had been building for months. Prime Minister Oli’s UML Party was accused of corruption, letting youth unemployment rise to nearly 20 percent, and fostering “nepo-kid” culture — wherein children of the political elite flaunt their wealth on social media — in spite of the majority of the country living in poverty. Nepali elites have been accumulating wealth over the years of political corruption and further widening the gap between them and the country’s poor majority. The social media ban, which contributed to the censoring of criticism and cutting off income sources for many, appears to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. With nearly half of Nepal’s population under 30 years old, the divide between the ruling class and the youth has never run deeper.

Despite the historic win for Nepali citizens, though, the costs of the protest were substantial: by September 14, official reports confirmed 72 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. Analysts estimated $21 billion in damages — almost half of Nepal’s GDP — with tourism alone losing $178 million. Investor confidence plummeted, and projections indicated that economic growth could fall below 1 percent.

Picking Up the Pieces

Karki moved quickly to stabilize the country, pledging 1 million rupees to the families of the deceased, promising free treatment for the injured, and establishing a Commission to investigate the violence. On September 17, Nepal observed a national day of mourning. 

Protesters also joined the recovery efforts, with youth groups clearing trash from streets, scrubbing graffiti off public walls, and collecting rubble from burned sites. The same generation that dismantled the old order was stepping forward to rebuild their country — a powerful statement. 

However, challenges remain for Nepal. Restoring damaged government infrastructure will take years, and entrenched political parties, such as the UML and Nepali Congress, still wield influence despite having lost legitimacy. Youth groups, such as Hami Nepal, now face the daunting task of channeling their energy into constructive politics.m to a peaceful institution-building and democratic renewal. Karki pledged to serve as Interim Prime Minister for only six months and said she will worktowardso guide Nepal to elections without renewed violence. In her first address to Nepal, Karki underscored the significance of the moment. “This is not merely a matter of changing leaders,” Karki said. “It is the transformation of how we govern, with honesty and responsibility.”

Beyond Nepal: A Regional Wave

Nepal’s revolution made waves across Asia: in Indonesia, students protested changes to the criminal code; in Thailand, protesters called for constitutional reform; and in the Philippines, thousands marched against government corruption amid floods. 

While the movements differ in ideology, there are similarities within protestor demographics: all are young, virtually connected, and unwilling to accept old elites. Through memes, music, and symbols, they created a shared revolutionary language that crossed borders. A relevant example is Nepal’s co-optation of the pirate flag from the popular anime One Piece, which symbolizes the main character’s quest to liberate oppressed people. For the protesters, it has become a potent symbol of freedom and defiance against corrupt or oppressive governments. This symbol transcends Nepal’s borders and has been adopted in protest movements across Southeast Asia.

For Southeast and South Asia, the implications of the protests are profound. The youth can no longer be counted on to be compliant, as attempts at censorship have evidently only sparked rebellion. The stakes for protestors remain high, however, heavy casualties, economic damage, and fragile transitions render the blooming movements delicate. Whether the youth can shape institutions in the long term will determine the future.

A Revolution Remembered

Nepal’s September uprising was chaotic and costly, yet undeniably transformative. In just five days, young people forced the government to its knees, ousted a prime minister, and elected a woman known for her political neutrality, integrity, and transparency. They demonstrated that in the digital age, legitimacy cannot be maintained by authority from above when the streets below are filled with anger.

The path forward remains uncertain, with elections approaching while elites largely remain strong and rebuilding efforts are barely underway. Still, the 2025 rebellion serves as a powerful example of generational strength. For the families of those who died, the protesters who faced violence, and the millions watching online, this was more than just a protest—it was a declaration that Nepal’s future belongs to those brave enough to claim it.