Nepal’s Home Minister Resigns After 19 Killed in Youth-Led “Gen Z” Protests

Kathmandu, Sept 8 — Nepal’s Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned on Monday evening after 19 people were killed and more than 400 injured in escalating youth-led protests against corruption and restrictions on social media restrictions on social media

The resignation came during a Cabinet meeting at Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Baluwatar, according to The Kathmandu Post. A minister present at the meeting confirmed Lekhak stepped down “on moral grounds” following the unprecedented violence, which claimed 17 lives in Kathmandu and two in Itahari.

Earlier in the day, senior Nepali Congress leaders Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma had called for Lekhak’s resignation at a party meeting. Though Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba refrained from comment, Lekhak reportedly informed colleagues of his decision before the session. He had been serving as Home Minister since July 2024.

Protests Enter Third Day

The unrest, dubbed the “Gen Z Protests,” entered its third day on Monday, fueled by corruption scandals and growing anger over restrictions on free expression. Demonstrators—largely youth—clashed with security forces outside Parliament in Kathmandu, where protesters shouted slogans in front of armored vehicles and vandalized the Parliament gate.

Security forces responded with live ammunition, marking the bloodiest day of civil unrest since the 2006 movement that ended Nepal’s monarchy. Hospitals across Kathmandu, including the Trauma Center and Civil Hospital, reported being overwhelmed with casualties, with patients redirected to other facilities. The Ministry of Health has ordered free treatment for all injured protesters.

Social Media Ban Triggers Anger

A key flashpoint was the government’s September 4 decision to ban 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and WhatsApp, citing unregistered platforms being used for hate speech, misinformation, and fraud. The move sparked nationwide backlash, with young demonstrators demanding restoration of digital freedoms.

Protests spread across major cities, including Pokhara, Itahari, and Butwal-Bhairahawa. Authorities imposed curfews in Kathmandu Valley’s New Baneshwor area and several other districts to curb unrest. Internet services were cut, and mobile applications were blocked to restrict communication among demonstrators.

Rising Toll and Uncertain Future

The death toll of 19 surpasses the 18 fatalities recorded during weeks of protests in 2006 that toppled King Gyanendra. With public anger mounting, Nepal faces its gravest political challenge in nearly two decades.

Visuals circulating online showed burning vehicles, massive crowds, and chaotic confrontations between protesters and police. The identities of many of the deceased remain unconfirmed, and officials warn the toll may rise as hospitals continue to treat the injured.

The protests underscore a generational demand for accountability, reform, and freedom of expression in Nepal’s fragile democracy.