Nepal in Flames: Army Steps In as Gen Z Protests Shake Kathmandu

• By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Kathmandu
• Sep 10, 2025
• 641

Nepal has been thrust into its gravest crisis in years as violent street protests, sparked by a controversial social media ban, engulfed the capital and forced the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli.

Late Tuesday night, soldiers and heavily armed police fanned out across Kathmandu. In dramatic scenes, protesters were encircled, some forced to their knees with their hands behind their heads. The military said it had been left with no choice but to intervene after the death toll climbed to 22.

Chaos at the Heart of Power

For two consecutive days, mobs set fires at the Parliament, Supreme Court, and private residences of lawmakers. Hotels and even airports were not spared. One former minister’s wife was badly burned when her home was attacked.

The capital’s skyline filled with smoke, signaling not just physical destruction but the collapse of public faith in Nepal’s political class.

A Ban That Broke the Dam

At the root of the unrest was last week’s sudden ban on 26 major social media platforms, including WhatsApp, YouTube, WeChat, and LinkedIn. The government claimed the apps had failed to register with regulators, but to millions of Nepalis—especially those with family members working abroad—the move struck at a vital lifeline.

By Tuesday morning, the ban had been rolled back, but the concession came too late.

Generation in Revolt

The protests have been dubbed the “Gen Z Uprising.” Teenagers and young adults, many carrying smartphones as banners of defiance, have led marches demanding not only digital freedom but also accountability for corruption and economic inequality.

“We are not afraid anymore,” shouted one 19-year-old student as troops closed in on a protest site.

A Power Vacuum

Mr. Oli, who had just returned to office last year for a fifth term, stepped down Tuesday. Four cabinet ministers—three from his coalition partner, the Nepali Congress—also resigned, leaving no clear successor. For now, the army’s presence on the streets raises fears of military dominance in civilian affairs.

Regional Echoes

Nepal’s turmoil mirrors recent events in South Asia:

Bangladesh (2024): Protests swept away the long-entrenched prime minister.

Sri Lanka (2022): Economic collapse fueled mobs that drove leaders from office.

Analysts warn Nepal could be entering a similar cycle of instability.

What Lies Ahead

Whether the crisis produces a caretaker government, a military-backed interim regime, or a deeper descent into chaos is still unclear. But one thing is certain: Nepal’s youth have put the political class on notice, and the country’s fragile democracy faces its most serious test in decades.