Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki emerged as Gen Z’s top choice for Nepal’s interim government amid ongoing political turmoil. The Gen Z-led protests in Nepal have left 1,033 people injured and the death toll has risen to 30. KP Sharma Oli resigned after demonstrators stormed government buildings and set fire to leaders’ residences.
Nepal's parliament set on fire after PM resigns over anti-corruption protests.What's behind the protests rocking Nepal?
As night falls on Kathmandu, black smoke continues to rise from the city after a second day of anti-corruption protests.
In less than 48 hours Gen Z protest in Nepal did the following:
- Burnt down multiple politicians' houses
- Increased the protest even during curfew and firing around multiple cities
- made the Prime Minister resign
- entered parliament and burnt it.
What's behind the protests rocking Nepal?
The ban blocking 26 social media platforms in the country, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp took effect on Thursday.
It was widely criticized as a means to stifle dissent, with many sharing anti-government messages online, but the Nepalese government said it was to tackle hate speech and misinformation. "That was the trigger for the protests to spread quickly," said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "But really this is about deep-seated frustration, especially among the younger generation, [over] deep-seated corruption and nepotism and poor governance."On Monday, police countered the large-scale protests with deadly force, leaving 19 demonstrators dead and more than 100 injured. When the ban came into effect, many from Nepal's younger generation were already outraged after a viral online movement called out "nepo kids" — children of politicians posting videos online of their fancy cars and lavish lifestyles.
The posts were shared using hashtags such as #NepoKids, #NepoBabies and #PoliticiansNepoBabyNepal, highlighting the disconnect between how the children of politicians live, while alleging the use of taxpayer money, and the lives of most Nepalese. Many young people in the country can't find work, with the unemployment rate hovering around 20 per cent, according to the World Bank. The overall unemployment rate rose to 12.6 per cent in 2024, according to Nepal's National Statistics Office.
Large numbers of people leave Nepal to find work abroad because of a lack of opportunities at home.
The economy relies on money sent back to families in Nepal from an estimated two million workers overseas, and the brief social media ban sparked fears in many trying to keep in touch with loved ones living far away. The protesters have embraced the term "Gen Z," and are focused on a better future for Nepal's younger generation. After Monday's violence, clashes between police and demonstrators continued, even after the government announced it was rolling back the social media ban.
The parliament building was torched after Oli, 73, declared he was resigning as prime minister.
Many protesters told reporters his ouster was not enough.
This is the generation that doesn't forgive, doesn't forget.