Gen-Z Uprising: Nepal’s Day of Reckoning – Former Chief Justice Poised as Interim PM Amid Deadly Protests
Nepal wakes up on the 12th of September 2025 as Gen-Z protests spread all over the country; curfews are implemented, buildings are burning, 51 people have died, and a former Chief Justice is thinking about taking over temporarily.
Kathmandu Under Curfew --- A Tense Wake-Up
The morning of September 12, 2025, found Nepal still heavily guarded by a strict curfew. The upheavals that had shaken the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities had led to the decision to enforce a tighter curfew. Soldiers were on patrol and numerous checkpoints had been established where security forces were carrying out inspections.
What Had Been the Trigger of the Situation?
The Gen-Z chaos expansion (Nepal’s youth who consider the system to be corrupt and have completely lost trust) got its ignition from the government’s decision to prohibit access to some popular social media platforms, though only temporarily. After that, a rapid succession of protests, police repression, and large crowds demonstrating against the government in different parts of the country occurred.
Death Toll Rises, Chaos Spreads
The death toll in the riots exceeds 51 people with the simultaneousity of patrolling across the cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj, and Butwal. On the other hand, the number of injured also has passed 1000 and the health care institutions are overburdened. Due to confusion, some prisoners have escaped: jails all over the country have experienced mass breakouts.
Indian Tourist Among the Victims
The worst and saddest of all incidents was probably the death of Rajesh Gola, a 57-year-old woman residing in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, who died as a result of a fall caused by fire engulfing the hotel in Kathmandu where she was staying during the chaos. Her husband is under medical care for his injuries.
Former Chief Justice Emerges as Interim Leader
The more it dragged on, the more protests visibly made the former Chief Justice, Sushila Karki, the first choice to lead an interim government. Besides top Gen-Z activists, civil society members, and Kathmandu’s mayor that are on her side, her name is also being backed by Kul Man Ghising, the personality most widely known for his contributions to Nepal’s energy sector.
Political Power Plays Behind the Scenes
What is happening behind the scenes at the very top? Gen-Z activists, military officials including Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, and President Ramchandra Paudel, have been in discussions over the plans. They are focusing on how best to carry out these temporary authorities and to be ready for the next elections, at the same time, trying to get back civilian rule.
Voices from the Young Front Line
The youth in the protests are saying that they want a whole new system rather than just changing the leaders; what is at stake is an overhaul of the entire system. Employment, honesty in the government, changes to the constitution. Some of the protesters have also been quite critical of what they call "old guard" politics.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Now, Nepal is having an identity crisis. Gen-Z’s uproar has shaken the country’s political laissez-faire that has lasted for decades. With the transition likely to be headed by a former Chief Justice, it could be something revolutionary that the nation is on the verge of, if the violence stops, if the talks go well, and if the voting takes place.
