Kathmandu has been plunged into an unprecedented lockdown, as a massive youth-led protest movement against government corruption and incompetence forced authorities to impose a strict city-wide curfew.
The movement, spearheaded by Nepal's Generation Z, erupted in response to a controversial new parliamentary bill and widespread anger over the government's failure to provide basic services. Protesters are demanding a complete overhaul of the political system, which they view as irredeemably corrupt.
Viral Videos Spark a Movement
The protests have been defined by their highly organised and symbolic nature. In a powerful act of defiance, viral social media videos show thousands of young demonstrators undertaking a massive clean-up operation in the streets of Kathmandu. This act serves as a stark metaphor for their broader demand: to 'clean up' the Nepalese government.
Other widely circulated clips depict protesters chanting slogans and facing off against riot police, highlighting the tense standoff between a disillusioned youth and the state's security apparatus.
A Capital Under Lockdown
In a drastic attempt to quell the uprising, the Home Ministry declared an indefinite curfew across the Kathmandu Valley. The order prohibits all movement and public gatherings, effectively shutting down the capital.
Despite the severe restrictions, reports and videos suggest that defiance continues. The use of force by police to disperse gatherings has been widely condemned by human rights observers, raising concerns over the state's response to peaceful dissent.
A Generation's Frustration Boils Over
Analysts point to deep-seated frustration as the catalyst for the unrest. Nepal's Gen Z, facing high unemployment and a future hampered by systemic graft, has lost patience with the political elite. Their protests are not focused on a single issue but represent a wholesale rejection of a system they believe has failed them.
This movement marks a significant shift in Nepalese civil society, demonstrating a new, tech-savvy, and determined form of activism that is putting immense pressure on the government.
