Nepal Government Overthrown in 36-Hour Gen Z Revolution

Event Summary

September 8-12, 2025 - The Nepalese government was toppled in a rapid 36-hour revolution led by Gen Z protesters, making Nepal the third South Asian country in three years to experience government collapse under mass protests (after Sri Lanka 2022, Bangladesh 2024).

Timeline

September 8: Deadly Police Response

• Police killed 19 protesters, most under 30 years old, including a 12-year-old child
• Marked the beginning of mass civilian casualties in anti-corruption movement

September 9: Government Buildings Burned

• Vengeful mobs burned key government buildings:
  • Federal Parliament
  • Supreme Court
  • Prime Minister's residence

September 12: New Leadership

• Sushila Karki (former Chief Justice) sworn in as interim PM via extra-constitutional means
• Became Nepal's first female leader

Key Details

casualties

• 74 people dead total across the 36-hour revolution
• First time in Nepal's modern political history: Mass civilian deaths in anti-corruption movement carrying neither party banners nor ideological manifestos

Leadership & Organization

• Leaderless network of young students coordinated through digital platforms
• No traditional political party involvement
• Purely youth-driven anti-corruption movement

Triggers

• September 4: Government banned 26 social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, Snapchat
• Youth adapted by moving to Discord, continuing their organizing efforts

Context & Causes

• Youth unemployment exceeds 20%
• Over 60% of population under 30 years old
• 10+ corruption cases in 2025 alone involving former prime ministers, ministers, and bureaucrats
• Viral TikTok trend (#NepoBaby) exposed politicians' children flaunting lavish lifestyles
• Fatal miscalculation: Provincial minister's vehicle hit 11-year-old girl, drove away. Prime Minister Oli called it "normal" and said not to politicize it

Escalation Events

• Former Prime Minister and spouse (incumbent foreign minister) beaten up inside home, which was later burned down
• Demonstrations showed unprecedented coordination through digital platforms despite social media bans

Regional Impact

• Third South Asian government collapse in three years
• Demonstrates pattern of youth-led digital uprisings against corruption
• Highlights failure of traditional political systems to address youth unemployment and corruption

Sources

• Information extracted from global collapse documentation, September 2025 events