October 8th, 2025. What should have been a typical quiet day in Kathmandu, Nepal, erupted into a powerful protest against the government. Across the country, thousands of young protestors flooded the streets, their voices unified against the avaricious, corrupted government officials — and more importantly, a recent ban on social media.
The Spark of Unrest
On September 4th, 2025, the Nepalese government suspended access to 26 social media platforms, including popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Authorities claimed the ban was due to noncompliance with new registration rules imposed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The new rules stated that in order for a social media company to operate in the country, it must register within a set time, have a local representative and create a quick way to handle user complaints. For the Nepalese government, the goal was to curb misinformation, hate speech and online fraud by forcing social media companies to register under new regulations. However, many companies did not comply with the new rules, and, as a result, the government began to impose bans on popular platforms. Nepali netizens viewed it as a direct affront to free expression, reminiscent of China’s strategies to control dissent.
Unlike China, which offers domestic alternatives to blocked platforms, Nepal’s ban left citizens isolated from global communication, prompting a surge in the use of VPN services to circumvent restrictions. Proton VPN, one of the most popular VPN services, reported an 8000% increase in user signups among the Nepalese population.
For the Nepalese, having to rely on VPN services to use social media demonstrated the act of censorship put forth by their government. Citizens were infuriated with the ban because it restricted their ability to access social media, which they relied on for organizing, sharing information, and expressing dissent against the government. This limitation felt unjust and oppressive, especially in a context of increasing authoritarianism.
In response to the social media ban, the unrest began on September 8th, 2025, when thousands of Gen Z protestors, many in school and university uniforms, gathered peacefully near the parliament in Kathmandu. This initial demonstration was characterized by chants and slogans calling for justice and freedom, reflecting the aspirations of a youth movement that felt sidelined by the political elite. Some phrases that could be heard include “Shut Down Corruption and Not Social Media” and “Unban Social Media.”
Tensions escalated dramatically, however, when demonstrators began to breach security barricades, prompting a violent crackdown from police, who deployed tear gas, water cannons and eventually live ammunition. By September 9, the chaos had spread, with protestors setting fire to the Singha Durbar (Nepal’s administrative headquarters), Nepal’s Federal Parliament buildings, local police stations, and even the residences of political figures, including Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who resigned amidst the turmoil. The rapid escalation of violence shocked the nation and highlighted the government’s inability to address the grievances of its citizens.
As violence intensified, the army imposed a nationwide curfew, stifling the protests but also marking the near total collapse of civil governance. The curfew was a desperate attempt to regain control, but it only fueled further resentment among the populace, who felt their rights were being trampled. By September 22nd, 2025, the death toll had risen to 72, with over 2,113 injured.
Corruption and Its Prevalence
So how did the protests spread to its sheer scale? Well, it was no secret that a revolution by the Nepalese people would happen eventually. The signs had been building for years: widespread disillusionment with the government, growing economic inequality, and a sense of betrayal among the youth who felt their futures were being compromised. Many had watched as their official leaders engaged in corrupt practices, prioritizing personal gain over the needs of the people. Thus, corruption had eroded trust in institutions, leading to a widespread belief that the political system was rigged against ordinary people.
Corruption in the Nepali government meant that tax money, paid by the citizens intended for public services, was often misused and, in reality, stolen. Officials who should have helped the people instead lined their own pockets. This left communities without basic needs like clean water, good healthcare, and proper roads. The consequences of these failures were dire.
In many areas, the lack of clean water led to serious health issues, as people were forced to rely on unsafe sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases like typhoid, dysentery and cholera. Healthcare facilities struggled to provide adequate services due to budget shortfalls, resulting in long wait times and inadequate medical supplies. For families, this meant having to choose between seeking treatment and risking their health or spending scarce resources on transportation to distant hospitals, often leading to tragic outcomes. Moreover, poorly maintained or nonexistent roads made it difficult for farmers to transport their goods to markets, impacting their livelihoods and contributing to local poverty. Without reliable infrastructure, businesses faced challenges in reaching customers and suppliers, stalling economic growth and development.
That said, the government’s efforts to fight poverty were often just talk. Projects to help were poorly managed, and money disappeared into the hands of corrupt officials. From proposals of new highways — like the Prithvi and Narayanghat-Butwal section Highways — to the promises of the 12 irrigation projects in Mahottari, many of the proposed public initiatives never came to fruition. The reasoning for the incompleteness was always the same: lack of effective government oversight and project planning.
It was not that the government couldn’t assist and oversee the public development plans; they just didn’t want to. According to Sujan Dahal, a young Nepali protestor who participated in the Gen Z protests, “The government was so corrupt. [The government officials] used [government] money to improve their own lives, but there has been no change in the lives of normal people.”
With power being given to individuals who did not value the public’s best interest, the overall quality of life in Nepal deteriorated, leading to frustration and anger among citizens who felt betrayed by a system that was meant to serve them. This environment of distrust set the stage for the impact of the explosive protests that followed.
A New Leadership Emerges
Concurrent with the chaos, protest leaders rallied around Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female chief justice, as their choice for interim prime minister. On September 12th, 2025, after consultations with the army, she was sworn in, making history as the first woman to hold the country’s highest office. Karki’s appointment was welcomed by many as a generational victory against entrenched corruption and oligarchy. However, others criticized the extralegal nature of the selection, which reportedly involved a vote on a Discord server frequented by over 145,000 members.
Sunil Bahadur Thapa, a presidential adviser, announced Karki’s appointment, revealing that Parliament had been dissolved. The Parliament buildings, like many others in Kathmandu, lay in ruins, a stark reminder of the recent violence. Karki’s immediate task was formidable: she would need to form a cabinet in the coming days and eventually call for elections, likely within six to eight months, according to Thapa.
The ceremonial swearing-in took place at the presidential office, which had also suffered damage during the arson attacks. A heavy military presence surrounded the event, with soldiers and armored vehicles on standby. For days, the army had maintained control, imposing nationwide curfews and deploying thousands of troops to restore order. Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel met repeatedly with the student protestors and members of the fallen government, attempting to negotiate a path forward. While Oli resigned, President Ramchandra Paudel remained in his post, despite being unseen in public since the protests started. On Friday, September 12th, 2025, he fulfilled his constitutional duty by confirming Karki as the new leader, based on recommendations from the country’s major political parties.
Challenges Ahead
At 73, Karki had already made history as Nepal’s first female chief justice, where she had campaigned tirelessly for women’s rights and stood against corrupt elements. Her tenure was marked by challenges, including a politically motivated impeachment attempt that was ultimately dropped due to public pressure and international condemnation from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Karki’s experience in the judiciary provided her with a unique perspective on the rule of law, yet the political landscape she now faced was fraught with obstacles.
The chaos following the Gen Z rebellion had resulted in the destruction of many official documents. While Karki’s leadership offered a glimmer of hope, the road ahead would be one filled with challenges. Balaram K.C., a former Supreme Court Justice, acknowledged Karki’s anti-corruption stance but cautioned that the roles of justice and a prime minister were fundamentally different.
As Nepal navigates this challenging time, the future remains uncertain. The Gen Z rebellion has revealed a strong desire for change, with many citizens calling for a government that is fair and accountable. The actions of the youth, who are standing up for their rights, could lead to important reforms that challenge the old power structures. What happens next will be crucial, not just for Nepal, but also for other countries in the region facing similar issues. People everywhere are looking for justice and equality, and Nepal’s journey could inspire others to fight for their own rights.
As Nepal navigates this challenging time, the future remains uncertain. The Gen Z rebellion has revealed a strong desire for change, with many citizens calling for a government that is fair and accountable.