Violent protests erupted across Nepal in September, plunging the democratic South Asian country into anarchy. Mobs burned and looted thousands of buildings, including police stations, government offices, and the homes of politicians.

The protesters were mostly teenagers and young adults declaring themselves to be the voice of Nepal’s Gen Z. Their anger was triggered by a government ban on social media, but it was fueled by years of resentment over corruption and wealth inequality.

“Every one of us has had enough,” said student Safal Andolankari, 26,
as smoke from a burning vehicle drifted over his head during one
of the September protests.

In Kathmandu, the nation’s capital, protesters occupied part of the Capitol until police dispersed them using rubber bullets and water cannons. The violence escalated when police began firing live ammunition, hitting protesters in the head and chest. By the end of the day on September 9, more than 70 people had been killed, the military had deployed troops to restore order, and the country’s prime minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, had resigned.

“To our now former prime minister, I must say that resigning from your post is not enough,” student Merina Majarjan, 30, told AFP News Agency, mourning the deaths of young people who clashed with police on the first day of protests. “I call this a mass murder. You should be accountable for what happened yesterday.”

Violent protests erupted across Nepal in September. The democratic South Asian country was in chaos. Mobs burned and looted thousands of buildings, including police stations, government offices, and the homes of politicians.

The protesters were mostly teenagers and young adults. They declared themselves to be the voice of Nepal’s Gen Z. Their outburst began because of a government ban on social media, but it was fueled by years of anger over corruption and wealth inequality.

“Every one of us has had enough,” said student Safal Andolankari, 26, as smoke from a burning vehicle drifted over his head during one of the September protests.

In Kathmandu, the nation’s capital, protesters occupied part of the Capitol. Police used rubber bullets and water cannons to make them leave. But the violence escalated when police began firing live ammunition. Protesters were hit in the head and chest. By the end of the day on September 9, more than 70 people had been killed. The military had to deploy troops to restore order. K.P. Sharma Oli, the prime minister, resigned.

“To our now former prime minister, I must say that resigning from your post is not enough,” student Merina Majarjan, 30, told AFP News Agency. She was mourning the deaths of young people who clashed with police on the first day of protests. “I call this a mass murder. You should be accountable for what happened yesterday.”

The crisis in Nepal is part of a wave of unrest among young people in South Asia. Barely a year ago, similar scenes played out in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where student-led street protests drove the longtime prime minister from office. About three years ago, the same happened in Sri Lanka.

In Nepal, democracy is less than 20 years old, coming after the nation struggled for decades to evolve from a monarchy. But the government hasn’t met the aspirations of young people. A recent ban on platforms such as WeChat, YouTube, and LinkedIn—a decision that officials reversed after the first day of protests—especially touched a nerve. As free speech rights have shrunk elsewhere in the region, social media has remained a robust space for debate in Nepal.

The ban had also threatened to isolate Nepalis from their faraway breadwinners. By some estimates, half of the nation’s families rely on the money that millions of young Nepalese workers abroad send home—money that buys food and medicine and sends children to school. The $11 billion these workers sent back in 2024—many using apps included in the ban—accounted for more than 26 percent of Nepal’s economy.

The crisis in Nepal is part of growing unrest among young people in South Asia. Barely a year ago, similar scenes played out in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Student-led street protests there forced the longtime prime minister out of office. About three years ago, the same thing happened in Sri Lanka.

The democracy in Nepal is less than 20 years old. The nation struggled for decades to evolve from a monarchy. The democratic government hasn’t met the hopes of young people. A recent ban on platforms such as WeChat, YouTube, and LinkedIn touched a special nerve. (Officials reversed the decision after the first day of protests.) As free speech rights have shrunk elsewhere in the region, social media has remained a robust space for debate in Nepal.

The ban had also threatened to isolate Nepalis from their faraway breadwinners. By some estimates, half of the nation’s families rely on the money that millions of young Nepalese workers abroad send home. That money buys food and medicine. It also sends children to school. The $11 billion these workers sent back in 2024—many using apps included in the ban—accounted for more than 26 percent of Nepal’s economy.

Getting work in Nepal is hard, as the sluggish economy hasn’t generated enough jobs. Unemployment, heavily concentrated among young adults, is near 13 percent, according to the National Statistics Office. But that number may understate the problem, as it leaves out a majority of Nepalis who work without officially reported jobs, mostly in farming.

Many Nepalis blame corruption for the country’s problems. Investigations by Nepal’s parliament found that leaders have stolen money from construction deals and loans by foreign investors, and profited from gold-smuggling schemes. Some officials were caught taking fees from young Nepalis, promising but failing to send them to the United States for work. Very few have been punished for these crimes.

And while ordinary young people struggle for opportunity, a small number of elite Nepalis have accumulated vast estates for their children. The protesters bitterly posted images of politicians’ children flaunting ritzy lifestyles, with the tag #nepokids, referring to young people who’ve profited from their connections.

Getting work in Nepal is hard. The sluggish economy hasn’t generated enough jobs. Unemployment is near 13 percent, according to the National Statistics Office. It is heavily concentrated among young adults. But that number may understate the problem, as it leaves out a majority of Nepalis who work jobs that are not officially reported, such as farming.

Many Nepalis blame corruption for the country’s problems. Investigations by Nepal’s parliament found that leaders have stolen money from construction deals and loans by foreign investors. Leaders have also profited from gold-smuggling schemes. Some officials were caught taking fees from young Nepalis, promising but failing to send them to the United States for work. Very few have been punished for these crimes.

Ordinary young people struggle for opportunity in Nepal. However, a small number of elite Nepalis have accumulated vast estates for their children. The protesters bitterly posted images of politicians’ children flaunting ritzy lifestyles, with the tag #nepokids, referring to young people who’ve profited from their connections.

Within days of the government’s collapse, more than 100,000 citizens began meeting in a virtual chat room to debate the nation’s future. The very technology the government tried to outlaw was being harnessed to help select the country’s next leader.

“The Parliament of Nepal right now is Discord,” says Sid Ghimire, 23, of Kathmandu, referring to the social platform.

Within days of the government’s collapse, more than 100,000 citizens began meeting in a virtual chat room to debate the nation’s future. The very technology the government tried to outlaw was being used to help select the country’s next leader.

“The Parliament of Nepal right now is Discord,”says Sid Ghimire, 23, of Kathmandu, referring to the social platform.

The Nepali Army was the only government institution left standing—and the one Nepalis most trust. Army officials met with youth organizers to name an interim leader until the country elects a new prime minister next year. The young people chose Sushila Karki, the first female chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court, who has a reputation as an anti-corruption crusader.

Now protesters expect leaders to listen to them as the country charts its path forward.

“We fought for a better future,” says Deepraj Rai, 23, who was shot in the thigh during protests.

“Everyone who came out to protest, now should come and help rebuild this nation,” he adds. “Make it beautiful. This is our Nepal, our country.”

The Nepali Army was the only government institution left standing. It is also the one Nepalis most trust. Army officials met with youth organizers to name an interim leader until the country elects a new prime minister next year. The young people chose Sushila Karki. She is the first female chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court and has a reputation as an anti-corruption crusader.

Now protesters expect leaders to listen to them as the country charts its path forward.

“We fought for a better future,” says Deepraj Rai, 23, who was shot in the thigh during protests.

“Everyone who came out to protest, now should come and help rebuild this nation,” he adds. “Make it beautiful. This is our Nepal, our country.”

With reporting by Pranav Baskar, Bhadra Sharma, and Alex Travelli of The Times.

With reporting by Pranav Baskar, Bhadra Sharma, and Alex Travelli of The Times.