Nepal’s Gen Z Protests Turn Deadly: Ex-PMs Attacked, 19 Killed, Homes Torched
Nepal’s Gen Z protests over a social media ban have turned violent, leaving 19 dead. Former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife were attacked, while ex-PM Jhala Nath Khanal’s wife died in an arson attack as youth anger over corruption and unemployment grows.
Nepal’s Gen Z protests turn violent: 19 killed, former PM Deuba attacked, and ex-PM Khanal’s wife killed in house fire.
The ongoing youth-led “Gen Z” protests in Nepal have spiraled into deadly violence, leaving 19 people dead, former prime ministers attacked, and homes of political leaders set ablaze. The unrest, triggered by a government ban on social media platforms, has quickly expanded into a movement against corruption, nepotism, and unemployment.
Leaders and Families Targeted
On Tuesday, violent mobs attacked five-time prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, who is also Nepal’s foreign minister. Videos circulated online showed both injured and bleeding before being rescued by security personnel.
In another shocking incident, former PM Jhala Nath Khanal’s house in Dallu was torched, leaving his wife Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar trapped inside. She later succumbed to burn injuries at a hospital.
The violence also spread to properties of President Ramchandra Paudel, former prime ministers KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and other senior leaders. Oli, who resigned as prime minister amid the crisis, saw his private residence in Balkot set on fire.
From Social Media Ban to Widespread Anger
The protests began after the government blocked Facebook, X, YouTube, and other platforms, citing failure to comply with oversight rules. Although the ban was lifted on Tuesday, anger escalated over the deaths, corruption allegations, and perceptions of privilege among political families.
Many young protesters expressed frustration that “nepo kids” of political leaders live in luxury while ordinary youth face bleak prospects. With unemployment at nearly 20% and over 2,000 Nepali youth leaving daily for jobs abroad, the protests have become a wider rebellion against inequality.
Calls for Restraint
As violence worsened, the Nepali Army and security agencies issued a joint appeal urging restraint and dialogue. President Paudel also called for peace, while confirming Oli’s role as caretaker prime minister until a new government is in place.
