The streets of Kathmandu are burning, Nepal’s political class is under direct assault, and questions are being raised whether what unfolded in the past 48 hours was merely a response to a social media ban—or if it was the eruption of deeper frustrations that have been simmering among Nepal’s youth.
On Monday, what began as a protest against the government’s sudden decision to block major platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube spiraled into chaos.
Kathmandu turned into a battlefield as angry demonstrators clashed with security forces, prompting police to open fire on the crowds. By the end of the day, 19 protesters lay dead.
But the turmoil did not stop there. On Tuesday, the unrest grew uglier and more violent. Mobs stormed government buildings, set politicians’ homes ablaze, and even targeted top leaders and their families.
In shocking scenes, five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were physically assaulted in public, left bleeding and shaken.
Videos circulating online showed the Nepali Congress leader being dragged to safety by aides.
In another horrifying episode, protesters torched the house of former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal in Dallu. His wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, trapped inside, sustained severe burns and later succumbed to her injuries. Her tragic death has sent shockwaves across the nation.
Hours before Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli tendered his resignation, his private residence in Balkot was also set on fire.
The fury did not stop there—residences and properties belonging to President Ramchandra Paudel, former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, communication minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak were all attacked.
Witnesses describe the scale of destruction as unprecedented in Nepal’s democratic history.
The Nepali Army and top security agencies have jointly appealed for restraint, urging dialogue as the only way forward.
Yet, despite the government’s lifting of the social media ban on Tuesday, the protests continued, this time fueled by rage over the killings, accusations of political corruption, and decades of pent-up frustrations.
Is this only about Social Media?
Analysts warn against simplifying this unrest as a mere reaction to a digital blockade. Yes, the ban acted as a trigger, but the magnitude of violence—where even former prime ministers and their families were not spared—suggests something far graver is at play.
Nepal’s youth, often described as “Gen Z,” are disillusioned with a political class that they see as corrupt, disconnected, and unaccountable.
The government underestimated the anger of an entire generation that feels stifled—economically, socially, and politically. Blocking their only outlet—social media—appears to have pushed them over the edge.
A Troubling Message for the Region
For India, the crisis next door is deeply concerning. Nepal is not just a geographical neighbor; the two nations share civilizational, cultural, and historic ties, with a past when borders were barely relevant. Instability in Nepal has always had a ripple effect across the region.
The violent targeting of leaders and their families shows that overthrowing a government is no child’s game—and this sudden escalation could reshape Nepal’s fragile democracy.
What Lies Ahead?
President Ram Chandra Paudel, though a ceremonial head of state, has appealed for calm and peaceful resolution. He has accepted Oli’s resignation but kept him as head of a caretaker government until clarity emerges. Still, uncertainty looms.
With government buildings reduced to ashes, senior leaders attacked, and families of former prime ministers targeted, Nepal faces its gravest political crisis in recent times.
The pressing question remains: What really triggered such unrestrained fury among Nepal’s Gen Z? Was it just about social media—or was it a long-suppressed revolt against corruption, inequality, and lack of opportunities?
Whatever the answer, the message is clear: a new generation of Nepalese has risen, and they are demanding more than cosmetic reforms. They want change—and they want it now.
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