IRIA News

6 minute read – Updated on September 15, 2025

Violent demonstrations in Nepal against the government left 72 people dead and more than 1,000 injured, prompting the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli on September 9, 2025. The protests were triggered by a controversial social media ban and intensified by longstanding frustration over corruption among the political elite.

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators earlier in the week, leaving 19 dead and at least 600 injured, according initial reports. By September 11, Nepal’s health ministry said that the death toll from the protests had risen to 30 with 1,033 injured.

On September 14, reports confirmed that the death toll reached 72 as search teams recovered bodies from government facilities, houses, and other buildings that were set on fire during the protest.

The protest started on September 8, 2025 after the government imposed social media ban and soon turned into the anti-corruption campaign. The clashes intensified in Kathmandu as protesters defied curfews and set government buildings and politicians’ homes ablaze.

In Kathmandu, most of the reported deaths occurred in hospitals across the capital, with eight at the National Trauma Centre, three at Everest Hospital, three at Civil Hospital, two at Kathmandu Medical College, and one at Tribhuvan Teaching Hospital. In Itahari, Sunsari district, two protesters were also killed, one dying instantly at the scene and another later in hospital.

Among the dead was Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, who was trapped inside her home and fatally burned when protesters set it on fire. Despite the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, the unrest has continued, with hundreds more injured in the escalating violence.

The ban, imposed last week on several social media platforms, triggered outrage among young Nepalis who had been posting online about corruption and the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ families. The government said the ban was intended to curb disinformation and fraud, but critics saw it as a direct attack on free speech.

The decision to block access to social media quickly backfired. On Monday, massive protests erupted in Kathmandu, with police firing on crowds that tried to storm parliament. Nineteen people were killed and more than 100 were injured in the clashes, marking one of the deadliest crackdowns in recent years.

Although the ban was lifted on Tuesday, the protests only grew larger. Demonstrators remained in the streets of the capital and other cities, blocking roads, burning tires, storming government buildings, and setting them ablaze. Witnesses said protesters also torched the homes of politicians, and local media reported that army helicopters had to evacuate ministers to safe locations.

Oli steps down amid mounting pressure.

Facing mounting unrest, Oli announced his resignation in a letter to President Ram Chandra Paudel. “In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution,” Oli wrote.

The president accepted his resignation and appointed him to lead a caretaker government until a successor is chosen. An aide to Paudel confirmed that discussions to select a new leader had already begun.

Despite the announcement, the streets showed little sign of calming. Crowds of jubilant young protesters stormed parliament, waving their hands in celebration and painting victory slogans on its walls. Others ransacked Oli’s private residence before setting it on fire. Security forces appeared outnumbered and largely avoided confrontation.

Worsening political crisis

The turmoil has plunged Nepal into a new phase of instability. Since the monarchy was abolished in 2008, the country has cycled through 14 prime ministers and endured repeated political upheavals. Oli, 73, had been sworn in for his fourth term in July last year, promising stability and reforms.

But two of his cabinet ministers resigned late Monday, citing moral grounds after the deaths of protesters. Oli had called for an all-party meeting earlier on Tuesday, saying that “violence is not in the interest of the nation and we have to resort to peaceful dialogue.” He also blamed “selfish centres” for infiltrating the demonstrations, though he did not address corruption allegations directly.

Protesters said their anger went far beyond the social media ban. A young demonstrator told reporters that the rallies were meant to challenge corruption and demand accountability. “The protest was intended, first and foremost, against the rampant corruption in government,” said one message from a protester, signed as “A concerned Nepali citizen.”

Violence spread and airport closures

The protests spread beyond Kathmandu, with violent clashes reported in several other cities. Witnesses described thick smoke rising as government buildings, tires, and vehicles burned.

In Kathmandu, protesters stormed the Singha Durbar area, which houses the prime minister’s office and other ministries. The parliament complex was also set ablaze in parts.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal announced the closure of Kathmandu’s international airport after smoke from nearby fires threatened aircraft safety.

Video footage circulating online showed former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana, being attacked by protesters. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the videos.

Calls for dialogue and calm

President Paudel appealed to the public to come forward for dialogue to find a peaceful resolution. “The situation requires restraint and constructive talks,” he said in a televised address.

The army issued a statement urging calm and calling for political dialogue, but provided no details on its involvement. Troops were seen deployed in parts of Kathmandu but appeared to take a cautious role, avoiding direct clashes with protesters.

Despite the curfew, tens of thousands of people remained on the streets into Tuesday night. Many young demonstrators referred to their movement as a “Gen Z protest,” highlighting their frustrations over corruption, poor governance, and limited economic opportunities.

Uncertain path forward

The resignation has left Nepal in a state of uncertainty. Oli will continue in a caretaker role, but it is unclear how much authority he retains or where he will operate from, given the destruction of government buildings.

Political analysts warn that without a credible roadmap for reform, protests could continue and deepen Nepal’s crisis. “This is not just about social media anymore,” said one Kathmandu-based observer. “This is about corruption, youth anger, and a government that has failed to deliver.”

Nepal’s army is holding talks with protestors to decide a new interim leader for the country, according to an army spokesperson. According to reports, the protesters have demanded the army to appoint former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister. Karki has reportedly accepted the offer.