Kathmandu, September 11, 2025
What began as a historic demonstration led by Nepal’s Generation Z youth demanding justice, accountability, and a better future has now been overshadowed by political interference and escalating violence.
On the first day of protests, thousands of young Nepalis - many in their teens and early twenties - took to the streets with honesty and courage. They raised their voices peacefully against systemic failures, corruption, and what they see as a Constitution that has not protected their rights or future.
However, by the second day, protesters say the movement no longer looked the same. Witnesses and youth participants allege that established political parties and affiliated student groups infiltrated and “hijacked” the demonstrations, steering them towards destructive ends. Incidents of vandalism targeting Singha Durbar, the Supreme Court, and other key state institutions raised serious concerns about the protest’s direction. Many Gen Z participants firmly deny involvement in such acts, stating that their movement was twisted by opportunists for personal and political gain.
The human cost of the protests has been devastating. Reports confirm the tragic death of a 12-year-old child, alongside at least 20 other young Nepalis who lost their lives during the first day of unrest. More than 400 protesters have been injured, many beaten severely during police crackdowns. These losses have further fueled outrage and disillusionment with the state system.
For many Gen Z activists, the violence has intensified their demand for deeper change - including calls to discard Nepal’s current Constitution and dissolve Parliament, which they accuse of enabling repression instead of protecting citizens. “Where was the Constitution when children were being beaten in the streets? Where was Parliament when bullets and sticks silenced our voices?” one youth protester asked.
Meanwhile, frustration is growing over attempts by certain political figures to claim leadership of the movement. Youth leaders insist that those who never stood with them before are now positioning themselves as “Gen Z leaders” for personal ambition, including aspirations for the premiership.
The core demand emerging from genuine Gen Z activists is unity. They believe that without a common leader and collective voice, the risk of hijacking by third parties and political opportunists remains high.
The unfolding events raise critical questions about Nepal’s governance, accountability, and political system. For a generation that sees itself as the future of the nation, the protests have become more than a call for reform - they represent a struggle against being silenced, co-opted, or sacrificed for political games.
As Nepal reels from the unrest, the international community and domestic observers are closely watching whether the youth-led demand for transformation will result in meaningful change - or be lost in the turmoil of partisan interests.
