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Nepal’s youth uprising explained: Decades of corruption reach a tipping point

October 14, 2025

In September 2025, at least 19 student protesters were killed when police fired into demonstrations in Nepal that began as opposition to social media restrictions but represented deeper frustrations with corruption and political instability. Following the violence, the government imposed a curfew and deployed military forces, though public outrage led to the Home Minister's resignation and reversal of the social media ban. As protests spread beyond the capital, President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister, making her Nepal's first woman in this position.

Who is affected

  • Student protesters and Gen Z youth in Nepal
  • At least 19 people killed during the demonstrations
  • The general Nepali population suffering from economic challenges including inflation and unemployment
  • Marginalized groups mentioned as feeling excluded from the constitutional process
  • Former Prime Minister Deuba and his wife who were rescued after protesters attacked their residence
  • Police and military personnel deployed to maintain order
  • The political establishment facing public anger over corruption and governance failures
  • Nearly 14 percent of Nepal's population working abroad due to economic conditions

What action is being taken

  • Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is serving as interim prime minister
  • Karki's government is pledging to investigate the killings
  • The government is working to restore order across the country
  • Students are holding nightly vigils to honor those killed in the protests
  • Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are calling for independent inquiries into police and military actions
  • The military is maintaining its position that it acted to protect public order

Why it matters

  • The protests represent long-standing frustrations with corruption, political instability, and economic inequality
  • Sushila Karki's appointment marks a historic milestone as Nepal's first female prime minister
  • The demonstrations continue Nepal's tradition of student-led movements for political reform
  • The crisis highlights the cycle of revolution, hope and stagnation that has characterized Nepal's modern history
  • The events represent a generational struggle between young people who inherited democracy and a political system that has failed to deliver meaningful change
  • The violence demonstrates the government's willingness to use deadly force against protesters
  • The social media restrictions reflect broader issues of government control and attempts to limit dissent

What's next

  • Karki's caretaker government plans to hold new elections in March 2026
  • Independent inquiries into police and military actions during protests may be conducted
  • The interim government will attempt to restore order while addressing protesters' demands
  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices