KATHMANDU — Nepal’s political crisis has taken a dark and violent turn as angry mobs, comprised largely of young demonstrators, have targeted the country’s political elite. In an alarming escalation of the anti-government protests, a mob assaulted five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, leaving them with visible injuries.
The unrest, which began on Monday and has been dubbed the “Gen Z” movement, was initially triggered by a government ban on several social media platforms. The protests, however, quickly morphed into a broader display of discontent over deep-seated issues like widespread corruption and a lack of economic opportunities for youth. On Monday, police opened fire on a crowd in Kathmandu, killing at least 19 people and further fueling public rage.
Despite the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday and the government’s late-night decision to lift the social media ban, the protests continued with ferocity. Demonstrators set fire to government buildings, including the Parliament complex and the President’s office, as well as the private residences of several top leaders.
Videos widely shared on social media showed the chaotic scenes of violence, including the assault on Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, who serves as the Foreign Minister. A mob also set fire to the home of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal in Dallu, trapping his wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, inside. She reportedly sustained serious burn injuries and later succumbed to them at a hospital. The private home of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was also torched before his resignation.
As the situation deteriorated, the Nepal Army, along with other security agencies, issued a joint appeal for restraint and urged for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. President Ram Chandra Paudel also called for calm, accepting Oli’s resignation and appointing him to lead a caretaker government until a new one can be formed.
The underlying frustration among Nepal’s youth runs deeper than just the social media ban. With youth unemployment at approximately 20% and thousands of young people leaving the country daily for work abroad, many are expressing anger at what they see as a system of “nepo kids” and a political class that enjoys a life of luxury while the majority of the population struggles. This widespread discontent has transformed the protests into a full-blown political crisis.