Nepal's Youth Protests Claim 77 Lives in Uprising That Toppled Prime Minister
Seventy-seven people were killed during intense youth-led protests that ultimately forced Nepal's prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, to resign in September 2025. The uprising, which shook the nation's fractured political system, unfolded over two days of violent clashes in Kathmandu, leaving families devastated and sparking calls for systemic change.
Scenes of Chaos and Mourning in Kathmandu
The protests erupted with demonstrators throwing stones that partly covered roads near parliament on 8 September. Riot police pushed back crowds, with one protester seen jumping from a gate amidst the turmoil. By 9 September, the Singha Durbar office complex, housing the prime minister's office, was stormed and set ablaze during a curfew, while the presidential building, Sheetal Niwas, was ransacked and burned, damaging statues including a lion at its entrance.
In the aftermath, Bina Awale mourned her brother, Binod Maharjan, during his cremation at Pashupatinath temple on 16 September. Binod had left home abruptly on 8 September, leaving behind his breakfast of rice and lentils after feeding pigeons, a daily ritual. His family only learned he joined the protests when a childhood friend called, prompting a rush to Everest hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Families Seek Justice and Compensation
Rachana Khatiwada, mother of Rashik Khatiwada who was shot dead, leaned on her son's coffin during a tribute rally on 16 September. Motivated by grief, she later joined the Rastriya Swatantra party, questioning past leaders' inaction over decades. Similarly, Lata Maya Maharjan, Binod's mother, recalled her son's promise to return home, a meal left uneaten, as she daily prays with floral offerings outside her Lalitpur home.
Parbati Subedi, wife of Dev Kumar Subedi, another victim, received 1.5 million Nepalese rupees (£7,650) in compensation from an interim government that declared 42 of the 77 killed as martyrs. She highlighted the struggle of families to afford basic meals, echoing a widespread desire for political change. Portraits of the deceased now adorn parliament gates, serving as poignant reminders of the cost of protest.
Legacy of Loss and Hope for Reform
The protests, driven by youth disillusionment with Nepal's political elite, forced Oli's resignation and ignited debates over governance. As families like the Maharjans and Khatiwadas navigate grief, with Rachana even getting a wrist tattoo in her son's memory, the nation grapples with the aftermath. The burning of government buildings and widespread damage underscore the depth of public anger, while compensation efforts offer scant solace to those mourning irreplaceable losses.
This uprising marks a pivotal moment in Nepal's history, with victims' families advocating for justice and systemic overhaul, hoping the sacrifices lead to meaningful political transformation.
