Nepal Remembers Gen Z Revolt That Ousted PM Oli

Kathmandu, Nepal – On Tuesday, Nepal observed the first anniversary of the youth-led uprising that brought down the government of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The protests, which began last September over widespread corruption and a social media ban, escalated into violence that left dozens dead and government buildings in flames.

At a solemn gathering in Kathmandu, relatives and citizens offered fruits and flowers before photographs of those killed during the demonstrations. Among the attendees was Pratish Shrestha, an injured protester who called on the state for continued support. "We still need support, we still have injuries and are bound to wheelchairs and clutches," he said. "That is why we need the state to take care of us until the end of our lives."

Home Minister Sudan Gurung struck a forward-looking tone at the event, lighting a lamp as a symbol of renewal. "Our mission and vision is to look forward," he said. "A new Nepal is in front of us and we have no excuse to look left or right but to run forward to build Nepal."

The anniversary comes amid immense challenges for the new government. Just weeks after the political upheaval, catastrophic floods in late August killed more than 1,300 people, with nearly 5,000 still missing. The disaster caused an estimated $2.56 billion in damage—a staggering blow for a country with a $50 billion economy.

As Nepal rebuilds damaged infrastructure and seeks stability after months of turmoil, the memory of the protests and the promise of reform remain intertwined with the nation's path forward.