'Hashtag Revolution': Nepal’s Gen-Z Protests Topple Govt In Blood-Soaked Digital Rebellion

Last Updated:September 09, 2025, 22:32 IST

A fatal crackdown on youth-led protests in Nepal triggered institutional fires, a prime minister’s resignation, and regional instability

Demonstrators outside Nepal's Parliament during a protest in Kathmandu condemning social media prohibitions and corruption by the government. (Photo: AFP)

Nepal’s political landscape was thrown into unprecedented turmoil on Tuesday, as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel resigned in the face of a furious and violent youth-led uprising. The day’s events marked the climax of a week-long protest movement that was seemingly prompted by a government ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, but rapidly morphed into a nationwide demand for accountability against systemic corruption and a political elite seen as out of touch with the public.

The unrest reached a boiling point with deadly clashes on September 8, when security forces’ response to the protests resulted in at least 19 fatalities. This sparked even greater outrage among demonstrators, predominantly from the digitally native “Gen Z" demographic. Defying an indefinite curfew, protesters took to the streets on September 9 with renewed fervour. The unrest was far from peaceful, with reports of protesters storming and setting fire to key political and administrative buildings, including sections of the Parliament complex and the residences of prominent politicians. The private home of PM Oli in Balkot was torched, as were the residences of other senior leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties.

In a shocking development, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, tragically lost her life after her home in Kathmandu was set on fire by a mob of protesters. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with severe burn injuries but succumbed to them during treatment. Protesters also targeted and vandalised the residences of other political figures, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

Amid this chaos, Prime Minister Oli officially tendered his resignation to President Ram Chandra Paudel. In his resignation letter, Oli acknowledged the “extraordinary circumstances" and cited a need for a “constitutional political solution". His resignation, while a concession to the protesters’ demands, has created a significant political vacuum. Hours later, in a stunning development, President Paudel also resigned. This dual resignation of the nation’s two highest-ranking officials has plunged Nepal into a state of profound constitutional uncertainty, with no clear line of succession for the head of state, even as home minister Ramesh Lekhak also stepped down.

In the wake of the political collapse, Nepal’s army and other security agencies issued a joint appeal for peace and restraint. Army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel’s address to the nation was framed not as a prelude to a military takeover, but as a stabilising measure. The military’s presence was a clear signal to both political factions and protestors that the armed forces would not tolerate further anarchy, even as Tribhuvan Airport was temporarily shut down and security forces were deployed to protect key infrastructure.

While the resignation of the Prime Minister was seen as a victory for the “Gen Z" protesters, many have made it clear that their movement will continue. The core demands of the uprising extend far beyond the social media ban, which was lifted by the government late on September 8. The protests are rooted in a deep-seated frustration with political corruption, nepotism, and a lack of economic opportunity.

In response to the escalating violence and the deteriorating security situation, the Indian government has issued a strong advisory for its citizens. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has urged Indian nationals to defer all non-essential travel to Nepal until the situation stabilises. The advisory also called on Indian citizens currently in Nepal to exercise extreme caution, remain in their homes, and avoid going out onto the streets, which have been scenes of clashes and widespread vandalism. The MEA has also provided helpline numbers for the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, underscoring its readiness to offer assistance to any stranded nationals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security over the situation in Nepal. In a post on X, he held the key meet to discuss developments in Nepal after returning from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, where he reviewed rain damage and rehabilitation efforts.

As of now, with no clear leadership in place, the path forward for Nepal remains highly uncertain. The nation stands at a crossroads, with the potential for either a long-sought political reform or a continued descent into instability and chaos. The international community, including regional powers India and China, is closely monitoring the developments, recognising the strategic importance of stability in the Himalayan nation.

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