Now, at a crossroads, Nepal faces both peril and promise. On one hand, political paralysis and violence threaten to push the country into deeper instability. On the other, the Gen Z protests may represent a watershed moment.

Sushila Karki, Nepal’s first female Chief Justice (2016-2017), known for her anti-corruption rulings, has been chosen by Gen Z protesters to lead an interim government post-PM Oli’s resignation. She polled 31 per cent of the votes in a virtual election among 4,000+ participants. She has been accepted for her neutrality. She has accepted the offer and said that she will focus on youth issues and development.

Earlier, Nepal’s army stepped in late Tuesday night to impose an indefinite curfew across major cities, including the capital Kathmandu, as the country reeled from violent Gen Z-led protests that forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign on Tuesday. The military deployment, accompanied by roadblocks, checkpoints and suspension of flights from Tribhuvan International Airport, signalled the state’s last-ditch effort to restore control after days of spiralling unrest.

By Wednesday morning, the sight of armoured vehicles in Kathmandu underscored the severity of the crisis. Troops patrolled major intersections, enforced curfews in residential neighbourhoods and ordered shops, schools and offices shut. The army’s intervention followed midnight talks between Chief of Army Staff General Prabhu Ram Sharma and protest leaders, but no breakthrough was achieved. Protest organisers pledged to continue until their demands for systemic reforms are met.

Authorities justified the clampdown as essential to prevent further violence. “The curfew is temporary but unavoidable to protect lives and infrastructure,” a government spokesperson said, while confirming that at least 19 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in clashes since the protests erupted last week.

Flames of Rage: Social Media Ban Sparks Revolt

The unrest traces its roots to the Oli government’s abrupt decision to ban Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, citing the need to curb fake accounts and misinformation. Instead, the ban ignited a nationwide youth uprising. Gen Z activists, adept at circumventing digital restrictions with VPNs, mobilised tens of thousands onto the streets. What began as a protest against digital curbs soon widened into a revolt against corruption, unemployment and entrenched political dynasties.

Protesters popularised the hashtag #NepoKids, deriding political elites whose children enjoy privileged lifestyles while ordinary Nepali youth face bleak prospects at home and abroad.

In a matter of days, the protests turned violent. Government offices, including parts of Singha Durbar and Parliament, were set ablaze. The homes of prominent politicians – including President Ram Chandra Poudel, five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, and former leader Jhala Nath Khanal – were attacked.

The violence proved deadly in some cases. Deuba and his wife were left bloodied after mobs stormed their residence. Khanal’s wife, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, succumbed to burn injuries after their house in Dallu was set on fire.

Security forces responded with rubber bullets, tear gas and live ammunition in some locations. While authorities confirmed 19 deaths, rights groups warn the toll may be higher, with several protesters missing.

Political Fallout: Who Will Lead Next?

The scale of unrest shook Nepal’s fragile coalition government. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned, citing moral responsibility for the mounting deaths. Hours later, Oli addressed the nation and announced his resignation. Offering condolences and compensation to victims’ families, he nonetheless accused “vested interests” of exploiting the protests to destabilise the country.

The army stepped into the vacuum as Oli’s exit left Parliament paralysed. President Poudel has begun consultations with party leaders and constitutional experts on forming a transitional government.

The leadership vacuum has sharpened speculation about Nepal’s political future. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki emerged as a strong contender to head a neutral interim administration, seen by many as a stabilising figure during the crisis.

But much of the public mood is still behind Balendra “Balen” Shah, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor of Kathmandu. Shah’s clean image, urban reforms and digital fluency have made him a darling of Gen Z. Protesters chant his name at rallies, and his supporters argue he embodies the break from traditional politics that Nepal’s youth are demanding.

The protesters, while leaderless and loosely coordinated, have issued a set of demands that stretch beyond lifting the social media ban. Among them are:

• Dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections.
• Amendments to or replacement of the Constitution to reflect inclusivity.
• Stronger anti-corruption measures.
• Guaranteed job creation and opportunities for youth.
• Full restoration of digital freedoms.

Regional Parallels

The crisis in Nepal echoes upheavals in neighbouring South Asia. Bangladesh’s youth-driven protests in 2024 forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power, while Sri Lanka’s mass demonstrations in 2022 toppled Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Analysts note that these movements reveal a generational shift, with young people across the region demanding accountability from ageing political classes.

Meanwhile, the army now finds itself in a delicate position – tasked with maintaining order but wary of being seen as suppressing a youth movement. Protest organisers have stressed they do not view the army as their enemy and have urged restraint. Yet the curfew risks inflaming resentment further if enforced harshly.

International observers, including the United Nations, have urged Nepal to respect democratic rights while seeking stability. Foreign governments have issued travel advisories as flights to Kathmandu remain suspended.

Now, at a crossroads, Nepal today faces both peril and promise. On one hand, political paralysis and violence threaten to push the country into deeper instability. On the other, the Gen Z protests may represent a watershed moment – forcing a reckoning with corruption and nepotism that has plagued governance for decades.

Whether Nepal veers towards reform or repression depends largely on the choices made in the coming weeks, but for now, the army’s curfew has brought a tense calm to Kathmandu’s streets. Beneath the silence, though, the voices of a restless generation continue to echo: a demand for dignity, opportunity and a new political order.