KATHMANDU — Nepal is at a turning point. What began as anger over a sudden ban on social media has swelled into the country’s biggest youth-led uprising in recent memory.
Thousands of young protesters, many of them in their late teens and early twenties, have filled the streets of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj. They are demanding an end to corruption and a say in the country’s future.
According to the French news agency AFP, at least 51 people have been killed since Monday. More than a thousand others have been wounded as security forces clashed with demonstrators. Police have admitted to opening fire in several instances.
“This is not just about corruption. It is about dignity and a future we can believe in,” said Anisha, a 22-year-old protester in Kathmandu. “We are tired of being silenced.”
As pressure mounts, Nepal’s political establishment is scrambling for a way out of the crisis. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki is expected to be sworn in as interim prime minister, possibly as early as today. Karki, who once made headlines for her uncompromising rulings against political interference, is seen by many as a neutral figure.
A day earlier, Kulman Ghising — the former head of Nepal’s Electricity Authority who won public praise for ending crippling nationwide blackouts — had also emerged as a strong contender to lead an interim government. His reputation as a reformer continues to earn him support.
The protests, now entering their fifth day, began after the government briefly banned social media platforms. Critics said the ban was a desperate attempt to curb dissent. The backlash was immediate and fierce, with students and activists flooding public squares, chanting slogans and waving flags.
International observers have expressed alarm at the scale of violence. Human rights groups are urging restraint, calling for dialogue rather than force. “Excessive use of live ammunition against protesters is unacceptable,” said Amnesty International in a statement.
The coming days could prove decisive. If Karki takes charge, she will face the task of calming a restless nation while navigating a fragile political landscape. For Nepal’s youth, the fight is not only about who governs today, but also about shaping what kind of country they inherit tomorrow.
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