Gen Z-led protests continue to swell across Nepal, with young people calling for accountability on corruption, limits on freedoms and police excesses.
Published Sep 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Kathmandu is burning. Lalu shared a photo showing the view from their shelter.
Synopsis: Kerala natives, including a college professor and his students stranded in violence-hit Nepal, spoke about the political uprising led by Gen Z. They said that although the nation is witnessing violent protests against those in power, they have not faced any attacks or danger.
“Initially, my students were thrilled to witness the Gen Z protest in Nepal. Without the shadow of any political party, these young hearts were openly discussing the politics of a nation. They spoke of corruption, scandals, nepotism, and were aware of everything,” Lalu P Joy, HoD of Sociology Department at Nirmala Arts & Science College, Mulanthuruthy, in Kerala, told South First.
“However, the moment they saw explosions and violence on the streets, fear set in. Their excitement turned into panic. Only with the constant support of local authorities and the Indian Embassy did they finally feel safe,” he added.
Lalu, with his 10 Gen Z students, is now riding an emotional roller coaster. These youngsters from Kerala are experiencing firsthand the fire of Nepal’s Gen Z protest.
Their simple dream of visiting the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu, sparked by the magical visuals of the Malayalam film Yodha (1992), had to be abandoned.
Yet, every face in the group carries pride, a sense of empathy, and a strange belonging. After all, it was people their age whose protests forced Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
What was meant to be just a study tour, their first international trip, unexpectedly became a chapter in history.
A 12-member team from Nirmala Arts & Science College, Mulanthuruthy, has been stranded in Nepal.
Lalu and the students are in Nepal as part of an international cultural exchange. Two years ago, Kadambari Memorial College in Buddhanagar, Kathmandu, sent its students to Kerala.
The group is lodged in Lalitpur, only seven km away from the Nepal Parliament House.
“Violence broke out while we were in Kathmandu, so we moved to the college accommodation. We had planned to reach Gorakhpur on 13 September, board a train on 14 September and arrive in Kochi on 16 September. However, the Indian Embassy has asked us to stay there until peace is restored. Now, we are safe with food and amenities,” Lalu said.
The Kadambari College principal had informed them about a possible social media ban, but Lalu and the students thought it would be similar to India’s TikTok ban and ignored the warning.
They attended a Youth Initiative programme on the first day, where students announced protests from the next day. Lalu joked about whether such protests could happen without political backing, and his students laughed, unaware they were about to witness Nepal’s Gen Z uprising.
Though no civilians or tourists have been attacked, the group fears unrest after protesters stormed Nakkhu Prison and freed Rabi Lamichhane, along with 1,500 others. Since the groups include criminals as well, locals warned them to be cautious of theft.
Abhilash and friends at the Bhaktapur ancient temple.
Abhilash Sukumar, a native of Thiruvananthapuram now settled in the US, had come to Nepal with his friends, Renju Somashekar, Sreekanth C, and Deepak DR, to trek to the Everest Base Camp and enjoy the chill of the Himalayas.
However, the vacation turned into an unexpected ordeal.
“We landed in Kathmandu on 7 September. From the flight itself, we heard that all Meta apps would soon be banned. It didn’t bother us much, since none of us were social media addicts. But the real shock came when protests broke out just as we hit the road,” Abhilash told South First.
“At first, we heard that 12 young lives were lost. Hour by hour, the toll kept rising, and panic set in. When Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, we thought normalcy would return. But it didn’t,” he added.
Abhilash said that they then moved to Bhaktapur, the ancient cultural capital.
“There, I spoke with local youngsters, even children as young as 14 or 15 were part of the protests. For them, marching on the streets had become as routine as going to school. It wasn’t random; it was a well-planned, determined movement. Their words carried both innocence and conviction,” he said.
“We are now stranded in Bhaktapur. Safe in a resort, but uncertain about when we can return to India. Technically, we could reach the border with a five to six-hour drive, but it’s unsafe, and the authorities have discouraged it. So, we wait,” Abhilash added.
Balen Shah.
Renjan’s phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since the Gen Z protests broke out in Nepal. Well-known among the Malayali community there, the Kottayam native has been living in Kathmandu for years and is now busy coordinating rescue efforts for stranded groups, offering whatever support he can.
For Renjan, the turmoil is not entirely unexpected.
“Many assume this is a spontaneous protest. To some extent, that’s true. But the movement is also drawing strength from Balendra Shah, Kathmandu’s 35-year-old mayor and a hugely popular rapper,” he explained to South First.
“Unlike in India, Nepal’s mayors are chosen directly by voters. Shah made history by winning the post as an independent, without party backing, and has since built a massive following,” he said.
“On Tuesday (9 September), he urged demonstrators on Facebook to remain calm, pointing out that their demand for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and several ministers to step down has already been fulfilled. He reminded them that damaging public or private property only harms the nation itself,” Renjan said.
Shah’s message comes at a critical time, as the Gen Z-led protests continue to swell across Nepal, with young people calling for accountability on corruption, limits on freedoms and police excesses.
Rabi Lamichhane
Renjan also shared his thoughts on Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane.
“As the Gen Z protesters demanded, he has now been released from prison. He was earlier serving a sentence in Nakkhu Jail in connection with a cooperative fraud case. Once a hugely popular television journalist, Rabi has long been admired by the youth,” he said.
“Many here believe the charges against him were politically motivated and fabricated. Even business groups like the Marwadis have extended their support. Among young Nepalis, he is already seen as the next prime ministerial face,” Renjan explained.
Lamichhane, who was imprisoned over the controversial cooperative savings issue, quickly became the symbol of a new political wave. To many, he represents a rare figure, unscathed by corruption, decisive in approach, and a sharp contrast to Nepal’s old, scandal-ridden leaders.
His reach, Renjan noted, extends from the digital sphere to the restless streets.
”I’ve been living here for years, but this is the first time I realised how a storm can be created just at the tip of a finger,” he said.
Amid the storm of emotions in Nepal, Lalu said, ”We saw photos of young people shot during the protests, just headshots. It’s unimaginable that such brutality could occur without a second thought. The youth are the true wealth of any nation, and witnessing their pain left a mark that will never fade.”
“The bullets hit deliberately, yet a generation once dismissed as apolitical and politically naive has now rewritten the history of a nation — even though it was a bloodshed game,” he noted.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
