After months of spearheading protests that reshaped Nepal’s political landscape, Generation Z activists are back on the streets-this time protesting the interim government they helped install, accusing it of betraying promises of reform, justice and accountability.
Nepal’s Gen Z protesters, who led mass demonstrations in 2025 that toppled the previous government, are again mobilising against the interim administration headed by Sushila Karki.
Accusing it of failing to curb corruption, ensure accountability for protest violence, and create jobs, youth activists say their sacrifices have been in vain.
While the government insists that elections scheduled for March will restore stability, renewed demonstrations reflect growing frustration and a deepening trust deficit between young citizens and the political system.
From Hope to Disillusionment: The Return of Gen Z to the Streets
In September 2025, Nepal witnessed one of the largest youth-led protest movements in its recent history. Thousands of young people-many from Generation Z-flooded the streets demanding an end to corruption, greater transparency in governance, employment opportunities, and the rollback of restrictions on free expression, including social media controls.
The demonstrations, initially peaceful, escalated into violent clashes with security forces across Kathmandu and other major cities.
According to official figures, at least 76 people were killed and more than 2,300 injured. The unrest ultimately forced the collapse of the government and led to the appointment of former chief justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister.
For many young Nepalis, the change symbolised hope-a rare moment where mass mobilisation appeared to translate into political accountability. But barely a year later, that optimism has given way to anger, regret and renewed protest.
“We Paid With Our Blood”: Voices of Protesters
Among those now protesting is Mukesh Awasti, a 22-year-old activist, who while speaking to Associated Press said, he lost a leg after being shot by security forces during last year’s demonstrations. Standing near Kathmandu’s protest sites once again, Awasti says the cost of change has not been matched by results.
“There should be an end to corruption, accountability for those who ordered the firing, and justice for victims,” he said. “None of that has happened.”
According to media reports, several injured protesters echo similar sentiments, arguing that the interim government has failed to prosecute those responsible for the violence.
Many claim they feel abandoned by leaders who rode the wave of youth anger to power but have since fallen back into familiar political patterns.
For some, the sense of betrayal is deeply personal. Families of those killed during the protests say they have received neither justice nor meaningful communication from authorities, further fuelling resentment.
A Fragmented Movement With Expanding Demands
While anger unites Nepal’s Gen Z protesters, analysts note that the movement itself is far from cohesive. Different factions are now pushing varied-and sometimes conflicting-demands.
Some activists are calling for the direct election of the prime minister, arguing that Nepal’s parliamentary system enables backroom deals and elite dominance. Others demand a complete scrapping of the constitution, while more radical voices seek the prosecution of senior political leaders across party lines.
These divisions have complicated negotiations and diluted the movement’s political leverage. Observers warn that without a unified agenda, the protests risk losing direction-even as public frustration grows.
Gen Z Demands and Government Response
According to Business Standard, Young Nepali protesters, began their movement with a variety of political and socio-economic demands, reflecting deep frustration with corruption, lack of opportunities, and governance failures.
Many called for transparent investigations into corruption, justice and accountability for officials responsible for violence against protesters, and a complete end to entrenched political privilege and nepotism within major parties.
Some factions went further, advocating for direct election of key leaders, constitutional amendments, scrapping the current constitution, and even a dissolution of parliament to reset the political system.
Other grassroots lists also included independent oversight bodies, punishment of corrupt politicians, and restructuring of leadership to bring in new, educated voices.
The interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has responded by prioritising preparations for parliamentary elections scheduled for 5 March 2026, arguing that a smooth democratic transition is the best way to address many concerns.
Karki has pledged to hold these elections and has pointed to improvements in the security situation. However, critics argue that only one major corruption case has been filed, which does not include key political figures accused by protesters, and that those responsible for the crackdown on demonstrators have not been held to account.
Analysts also note there is no unified demand from Gen Z, as different groups prioritise different reforms, complicating negotiations and pressure on the government.
Government’s Defence: Elections as the Way Forward
The interim government has sought to counter criticism by emphasising its commitment to restoring democratic normalcy through elections. Parliamentary polls are scheduled for 5 March, and Prime Minister Karki insists preparations are nearly complete.
“As the world is looking forward to a smooth change in government through our elections on March 5, I want to assure that we will deliver these elections,” she said, adding that security conditions have improved significantly since last year’s unrest.
Officials argue that systemic reform takes time and that the interim administration was never meant to be a long-term solution. They also point to legal and bureaucratic constraints in pursuing corruption cases involving senior political figures.
Accountability Still Elusive
Critics remain unconvinced. According to activists and opposition leaders, only one major corruption case has been filed so far-and it notably excludes powerful political elites.
No senior official has been held accountable for ordering or executing the crackdown on protesters.
Recent demonstrations near the prime minister’s office have been met with heavy police deployment, reviving memories of last year’s violence and intensifying fears of another crackdown.
Political analysts warn that the government’s reliance on elections as a cure-all risks ignoring the deeper structural issues that sparked the protests in the first place-unemployment, corruption, and institutional impunity.
What Nepal’s Gen Z Protests Tell Us
Nepal’s unfolding crisis highlights a global truth: political participation does not end at regime change. For Gen Z activists, mobilisation was never just about replacing leaders, it was about transforming systems.
Their renewed anger reflects a growing realisation that without sustained accountability, even well-intentioned transitions can reproduce the same injustices they promised to end.
At the same time, the protests underscore the challenges of translating street power into long-term governance, especially when movements lack unified leadership or clear policy roadmaps.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Nepal’s Gen Z movement is a reminder that democracy is not a moment, but a process, one that demands patience, accountability and mutual trust. Young citizens who risked their lives for change deserve transparency, justice and meaningful reform, not symbolic gestures.
Governments must listen beyond election cycles, while protest movements must find ways to channel anger into constructive civic engagement.
The question now is whether Nepal’s leaders and its youth can bridge this trust deficit-or whether the streets will once again become the only forum for being heard.
