Nepalese Gen Z Protest : an Analysis to the Power of Youth Rage
- Tiger Shen
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
By: Tiger Shen
In September 2025, Nepal witnessed massive Gen-Z led protests after the government banned 26+ social media apps. Witnessing blatant abuse of power and the government's corruption, the youth of the country had enough, and orchestrated numerous violent protests aimed to end corruption. From burning luxury Hilton Hotels, to burning the wife of a former prime minister on fire, it is evident that the Nepalese youth are fed up and demand an end to the vicious cycle of corruption.
Response to the protests from authorities was brutal. Human Rights Watch documented that “police in Nepal used lethal force to suppress youth protests on September 8, 2025, kill[ing] at least 19 people and injur[ing] over 300” (Human Rights Watch). Witnesses described scenes where “Security forces fired directly at students. Several were injured and some were killed.” Sahana Vajracharya, a journalist present at the protests, reported seeing “a sea of protesters, many in school uniforms. Police used water cannons, tear gas, and fired live ammunition after people climbed on the wall outside parliament.” These facts were also confirmed by Reuters, which stated, “At least 19 people in two cities died on Monday in Nepal’s worst unrest in decades, authorities said, as police in the capital fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters trying to storm parliament” (“Nineteen Killed in Nepal in ‘Gen Z’ Protest Over Social Media Ban, Corruption”; Dodge). This, I would argue, only further enraged the Nepalese people. When people’s requests for basic rights are responded with bullets, it gets ugly — fast. Hence, the brutality of authorities only further fueled the bloody protests, as International standards were clearly violated by the Nepalese authorities. Human Rights Watch referenced the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force: “Firearms are not an appropriate tool for the policing of assemblies, and must never be used simply to disperse an assembly.… [A]ny use of firearms by law enforcement officials in the context of assemblies must be limited to targeted individuals in circumstances in which it is strictly necessary to confront an imminent threat of death or serious injury” (Human Rights Watch). And as a response, the Nepalese protesters took to arms, determined to shed through blood if it meant spreading their message. Some carried rifles, many brandished a weapon, all for the sake of their voice being heard.
What truly distinguished these protests from uprisings of the past was how youth rage became a powerful unifying force. Protesters chanted “Long live Gen Z,” forming “a throbbing, collective voice that shook the heart of Kathmandu and brought the government down on its knees” (Pokharel). Demonstrators “came together under a loose ‘Gen Z’ umbrella, bridging boundaries of class, region, and political views as “hundreds of protesters” broke through barricades and entered parliament, proclaiming “Long live Gen Z Unity” (Pokharel). As one participant recounted, “When they tried to silence us by shutting down our digital civic space, we had no choice but to come to the streets. I travelled over 400 km… to participate in the movement” (Pokharel). Even prominent leaders and activists emphasized the collective nature of the protest, with Gen Z activist Raksha Bam stating that “We are moving forward within the framework of the constitution,” (Pokharel). This just goes to demonstrate that the Nepalese protest was beyond another protest — the movement united youth from divergent backgrounds unlike any other.
Yet, the citizens of Nepal have not abandoned hope. A garment worker, quoted by Reuters, expressed the core hope of many: “I yearn for a future devoid of corruption... I hope for a better tomorrow for those who have left.” (“Nineteen Killed in Nepal in ‘Gen Z’ Protest Over Social Media Ban, Corruption”).
Overall, the Nepalese Gen Z protests of 2025 not only demonstrate frustration built up by decades of lies and corruption, it also demonstrate the power of the youth and the strength of unity. It is to this extent that their sacrifice and resilience sent a clear message: radical change comes from radical actions.
Works Cited:
Human Rights Watch. “Nepal: Police Fire on ‘Gen Z’ Protest.” Human Rights Watch, 9 Sept. 2025, www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/09/nepal-police-fire-on-gen-z-protest.
“2025 Nepalese Gen Z Protests | Background, Social Media Ban, & Political Breakdown.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11 Sept. 2025, www.britannica.com/event/2025-Nepalese-Gen-Z-Protests.
“Nineteen Killed in Nepal in ‘Gen Z’ Protest Over Social Media Ban, Corruption.” Reuters, 8 Sept. 2025, www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/nineteen-killed-nepal-gen-z-protest-over-social-media-ban-corruption-2025-09-08/.
Dodge, Cara. “U.S. Issues Nepal Warning as Gen Z Revolts.” Newsweek, 12 Sept. 2025, www.newsweek.com/us-nepal-travel-warning-protests-2128868.
“What’s behind the Protests Rocking Nepal? | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 9 Sept. 2025, www.cbc.ca/news/world/protests-nepal-1.7629370.
Pokharel, Gaurav. “The rage and rampage: Why are Nepal's youth angry?” The Indian Express, 13 Sept. 2025. https://indianexpress.com/article/long-reads/nepal-gen-z-protest-corruption-political-order-10246974/
“What we know about Nepal anti-corruption protests as PM resigns.” BBC News, 9 Sept. 2025.
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