What caused Nepal’s deadly unrest? Here’s all to know
Nepal plunged into one of its worst bouts of political unrest in years between 8–10 September 2025, when youth-led demonstrations over a controversial social-media clampdown and long-standing anger about corruption escalated into deadly clashes with security forces. Protesters stormed the parliamentary complex, set fire to government buildings and some politicians’ homes, and large sections of Kathmandu were placed under curfew as soldiers and police moved in to restore order. Officials said at least 19 people were killed and many hundreds wounded; reports of high-profile attacks and arson spread rapidly across social and mainstream media.
What sparked the unrest?
The immediate trigger was a government decision to block access to multiple social-media platforms — including Facebook and X — a move authorities said was aimed at curbing online fraud and misinformation. Young Nepalis, many of them using social media as a political and social lifeline, mobilised quickly online and in the streets. The shutdown was widely read as symptomatic of a closed, unresponsive political elite; protesters fused demands to restore internet freedoms with deeper grievances over corruption, unemployment and limited opportunities that push many Nepalis to work abroad. The ban was later rescinded as the unrest spread, but by then demonstrators had already taken to the streets en masse.
Death toll and injuries — the numbers
At least 19 people were reportedly killed during the first days of unrest and hundreds injured. Human Rights Watch and other organisations have documented that security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets and — in some accounts — lethal force to disperse crowds, and have raised alarm about excessive force and civilian deaths. Local hospitals reported large numbers of wounded, including both protesters and police personnel. Reporting is still fluid and casualty totals may be revised as more information emerges.
Officials and public figures killed or injured so far
Several high-profile attacks were reported during the chaos:
-
Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal, was trapped when protestors set fire to the couple’s residence in Kathmandu’s Dallu area and later died of severe burn injuries, according to family-cited reports and multiple media outlets.
-
Sher Bahadur Deuba (former prime minister) and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba (current foreign minister) were reportedly attacked in their home; video footage circulated showing both injured before being rescued by security forces.
-
Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Nepal’s finance minister (and deputy prime minister), was filmed being chased, kicked and beaten by a mob as he fled through Kathmandu streets; the video went viral and media reported he was injured.
Several other politicians’ houses and government properties — including the parliament building and the Singha Durbar complex — were vandalised or torched, and local reports describe attacks on other senior figures; independent verification of all individual injuries and fatalities is ongoing.
Political fallout: resignations, arrests and the power posture
The crisis prompted immediate political consequences. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli announced his resignation amid the turmoil (reports date this to 9 September 2025), and several ministers either resigned or faced intense public pressure. Authorities also detained dozens of people accused of inciting violence. With civil order frayed, the army was deployed in the capital, curfews were imposed, and airport operations were disrupted temporarily. Regional neighbours and international observers urged restraint and dialogue.
Security response and human-rights concerns
Soldiers and riot police patrolled Kathmandu after curfews were declared. Human Rights Watch, journalists’ organisations and other observers have documented or alleged the use of disproportionate force by security personnel, including live ammunition in some clashes. Media organisations also reported journalists injured on duty and cases of newsrooms and outlets damaged or torched amid the chaos — raising concerns about freedom of the press in the immediate aftermath.
Wider drivers: beyond the social-media ban
Although the social-media shutdown was the proximate cause, analysts say the protests reflect deeper structural problems: endemic corruption, weak service delivery, political instability (Nepal has had frequent government changes since the monarchy’s end), youth unemployment and a perception of an entrenched elite out of touch with younger generations. The protest movement has been described in several outlets as “Gen-Z”-led — organised through short-form video and other online networks — which changed the speed and visibility of mobilisation.
International and regional impact
The unrest disrupted flights and prompted travel advisories; neighbouring India publicly urged calm and caution. International rights groups and foreign governments called for investigations into the killings and for respect of civil liberties. The deployment of the military and the resignation of the prime minister have raised questions about Nepal’s short-term trajectory — whether the crisis will force genuine political reform or lead to an entrenched security posture and further polarisation.