Nepal has been rocked by unprecedented unrest as protests led by Gen Z spiraled into violence in the capital, Kathmandu. The most shocking development came on Tuesday when Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, wife of Nepal’s former prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, was burnt alive after protesters set her residence in Dallu on fire. Despite being rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment, according to family sources.
The protests, triggered by a controversial government ban on social media platforms including Facebook, X, and YouTube, escalated rapidly despite the ban being lifted Monday night. Demonstrators accused the government of corruption and favoritism toward the so-called “Nepo Kids,” children of politicians enjoying lavish lifestyles while common youth struggled with unemployment.
Amid rising anger, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced his resignation after his own residence was attacked and set ablaze. His finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was also violently assaulted on the streets, with disturbing videos surfacing online showing him being chased, kicked, and beaten by mobs.
The demonstrations have claimed at least 19 lives after police opened fire on protesters earlier this week. Anger intensified as government institutions, private homes of senior leaders, and even the parliament building were set on fire. The airport in Kathmandu was shut down, and army helicopters were deployed to airlift ministers to safer locations.
India issued a strong travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Nepal until stability is restored. Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Nepal Airlines canceled their flights between Delhi and Kathmandu on Tuesday.
The “Protest of Gen Z” has now become more than a reaction to digital censorship it has evolved into a nationwide movement demanding transparency, accountability, and an end to political privilege. For Nepal, the violent unrest has not only forced the resignation of its leader but also plunged the country into its deepest political crisis in years.
