Kathmandu witnessed fresh unrest on Tuesday as hundreds of young protesters defied curbs, blocked roads, and stormed Nepal’s Parliament building, setting fire to Narayanhiti Palace Museum, the parliament building in New Baneshwar, and the residences of top political leaders.
BY PC Bureau
September 9, 2025 – Nepal’s capital descended into unprecedented turmoil this week as youth-led protests against a government social media ban spiraled into one of the deadliest episodes of civil unrest in recent history. Over two days of violence, demonstrators torched the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, the parliament building in New Baneshwar, and the residences of top political leaders, leaving at least 19 dead and more than 250 injured.
Authorities responded with sweeping measures: a citywide curfew, deployment of the Nepal Army, and shoot-at-sight orders. Tribhuvan International Airport, the country’s only international gateway, suspended all flights on September 9 after smoke, road blockades, and laser attacks created serious security risks.
Fires Engulf Symbols of Power
On September 8, thousands of Gen-Z protesters chanting “Enough is enough” and “End corruption” surged past barricades around Kathmandu’s political heart. In dramatic scenes, they set fire to the gates of the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, vandalized the homes of President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and attacked properties belonging to former premiers Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and Sher Bahadur Deuba.
READ: Nepal Revokes Social Media Ban After Deadly Protests Leave 19 Dead
Other targets included the residences of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, a private school owned by Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana, and the Nepali Congress party office. By evening, the parliament complex was ablaze after protesters breached Gate Number 2, torching vehicles—including an ambulance.
Videos circulating online showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the parliament and palace, while riot police struggled to contain stone-throwing crowds.
Social Media Ban Sparks Nationwide Fury
The unrest was triggered by the government’s abrupt September 7 ban on 26 major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. Officials claimed the move was necessary to force foreign tech companies to register locally and curb misinformation. Instead, it ignited fury among Nepal’s 30 million citizens—90% of whom rely on the internet—who saw the decision as authoritarian.
Nepal’s protests turn destructive—PM KP Sharma Oli’s residence set on fire. Attacking homes won’t fight corruption, it will only destroy the country’s future. pic.twitter.com/tjCe5Zn441
— Saffron_Syndicate (@SaffronSyndcate) September 9, 2025
The protests, dominated by Gen Z youth, quickly broadened to demands for Oli’s resignation and an end to entrenched corruption and nepotism. Inspired by recent youth uprisings in Bangladesh, demonstrators clashed with police who used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and in some cases live rounds. Doctors at the National Trauma Center reported multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest among victims. Police confirmed 16 deaths in Kathmandu and three in Itahari.
Airport Shutdown and Citywide Curfew
On September 9, Tribhuvan International Airport halted all flights at 12:45 pm after smoke near Koteshwar and laser lights aimed at incoming aircraft created safety hazards. Flights by Himalaya Airlines, Indigo, and Air India were diverted, while only limited departures to Bangkok and Guangzhou were reported.
Meanwhile, an indefinite curfew was enforced inside Kathmandu’s Ring Road and extended to Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The lockdown covered key sites including Sheetal Niwas (the President’s residence), Baluwatar (the Prime Minister’s residence), and parliament. Army patrols backed by shoot-at-sight orders attempted to restore order in the capital.
Political Fallout and Fragile Response
The political toll was swift. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Agriculture Minister Ram Nath Adhikari, and the Health Minister resigned within 48 hours, denouncing the violent crackdown. Facing mounting pressure, Prime Minister Oli lifted the social media ban on September 9 and convened an all-party meeting. But protesters dismissed the rollback as “too little, too late,” keeping their focus on systemic reforms and Oli’s resignation.
Unrest spread to other cities, with clashes reported in Itahari. Local leaders, including Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, and several prominent artists expressed solidarity with the demonstrators. India issued a travel advisory urging its nationals in Nepal to exercise caution.
Chaos does not seem to settle down in Nepal as thousands marched towards the Parliament and set the building on fire. Private residences of President Ram Chandra Poudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and Sher Bahadur Deuba,… pic.twitter.com/gI0Q6L8Ri7
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) September 9, 2025
A Nation at a Crossroads
What began as anger over a social media blackout has evolved into what many call Nepal’s “Gen Z revolution”—a movement exposing frustrations over corruption, stagnation, and political instability. With tourism disrupted, remittances threatened, and governance under fire, the protests carry grave economic risks for the fragile Himalayan nation.
As of September 9, tensions remained high, the death toll continued to climb, and the prospect of reconciliation looked distant. Whether the government can restore calm—or whether Nepal is on the cusp of a generational political upheaval—remains uncertain.
