Gen Z protests force Nepal PM and President to resign amid violent unrest

Kathmandu: Nepal has plunged into political chaos after two days of unprecedented Gen Z-led protests forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel to resign. The unrest, triggered by a ban on 26 social media apps, has escalated into one of the most violent uprisings in the country’s recent history, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 100 injured.

Protesters stormed the streets of Kathmandu, set fire to parliament, and attacked the private residences of political leaders. The home of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal in Dallu was also torched, resulting in the death of his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar. The Nepal Army has since taken control of Kathmandu airport and the Secretariat Building as tensions remain high.

Gen Z rises against the establishment

The protests began on Monday as thousands of young demonstrators rallied against the government’s decision to ban popular social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. Though the ban was swiftly revoked, the movement quickly grew into a larger struggle against corruption, unemployment, and political stagnation.

Protesters, many of them students and first-time voters, declared that the ruling establishment had failed to safeguard the aspirations of the youth. “We are the fire that will burn away the darkness,” chanted young demonstrators, echoing the words of a viral speech delivered earlier this year by Abiskar Raut, a schoolboy from Udupi.

Viral schoolboy speech fuels protests

Amid the fiery demonstrations, an old video of Abiskar Raut, head boy of Holy Bell English Secondary School, has resurfaced and gone viral across Nepal.

In the video, Raut passionately urged the youth to rise against injustice, unemployment, and corruption, declaring:

• “If you do not raise your voices, who will? We are the storm that will sweep away injustice and bring prosperity.”

His speech, delivered in March 2025, has become a rallying cry for the Gen Z movement, inspiring thousands of young Nepalis to take to the streets.

Political leadership in crisis

The resignations of Oli and Poudel mark an extraordinary collapse of leadership under pressure from the streets. Oli, already facing criticism over governance failures, was targeted by protesters who set his private residence ablaze.

The political vacuum has left Nepal’s parliament crippled, with no clear successor in sight. Opposition parties have called for immediate formation of an interim government to stabilise the country, while international observers have urged calm and dialogue.

Tragedy and violence escalate

While the protests have drawn international attention for their scale and intensity, they have also resulted in heavy casualties.

• 19 protesters have been confirmed dead.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with ministers fleeing parliament as mobs danced in the streets and government offices were engulfed in flames.

Global concerns and future outlook

The developments in Nepal have sparked concern in neighbouring India and China, both of which share deep ties with the Himalayan nation. Regional analysts warn that the unrest could destabilise Nepal’s fragile political system, already marked by years of leadership struggles.

For many, the Gen Z uprising represents both anger and hope. It has exposed the deep frustration among Nepal’s youth but also highlighted their determination to shape a new political future.

Whether the resignation of top leaders will pave the way for meaningful reforms remains to be seen. For now, Nepal is witnessing a historic generational shift, with its youngest citizens taking the lead in demanding accountability and change.